Tutorial / Cram Notes
The Azure Stack Hub Marketplace is a collection of services and application images that are used to provide resources for the Azure Stack Hub environment. When connected to the internet, Azure Stack Hub can synchronize with the Azure Marketplace to make new items available. However, in a disconnected or partially connected scenario, you need to populate the Marketplace manually.
1. Prepare the Marketplace Download
The first step in populating the Azure Stack Hub Marketplace is to download the items you need from the online Azure Marketplace using a device with internet access. Microsoft provides the Azure Stack Hub Marketplace Syndication tool to facilitate this. Here are the steps:
- On a connected device, go to the Azure Stack Hub Marketplace Syndication tool repository.
- Clone or download the repository to your local machine.
- Run the marketplace syndication tool with proper credentials to connect to your Azure account.
- Choose the items you want to download for your Azure Stack Hub Marketplace.
2. Transfer the Downloaded Items
After downloading the desired items, you need to transfer them to your disconnected Azure Stack Hub environment:
- Copy the downloaded items to a USB drive or other portable storage.
- Move the storage to the disconnected environment.
3. Import Marketplace Items into Azure Stack Hub
Now, watch the following steps to import the items into your Azure Stack Hub Marketplace:
- Log in to your Azure Stack Hub administrator portal.
- Navigate to the ‘Local Marketplace’ on the portal.
- Choose the option to ‘Add from Azure’ which in a disconnected scenario will let you import items.
- Browse and point to the downloaded marketplace items you previously transferred.
- Begin the import process and wait for the confirmation that each item has been added.
4. Validate Marketplace Items
After importing the items, it’s crucial to validate that:
- Each item is listed in the Azure Stack Hub Marketplace.
- The version numbers match those of the items downloaded from the online Azure Marketplace.
- The services and applications are deployable in the expected manner.
Examples and Considerations for Specific Services:
Let’s consider two examples where the marketplace items vary:
Example 1: Virtual Machine Images
When importing virtual machine images like Ubuntu Server or Windows Server, ensure that you also import required dependencies, like the Azure Stack Hub-compatible VM Extensions.
Example 2: Azure Services
Azure services such as Azure App Service or Azure Functions might require additional configuration steps after import, such as setting up a provider resource or configuring specific service settings.
Importance of Catalog Management:
Catalog management in Azure Stack Hub is fundamental, and a comparison between a connected and a disconnected environment can highlight the importance of the process:
| Feature | Connected Environment | Disconnected Environment |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace Item Synchronization | Automatic with internet access | Manual import needed |
| Version Updates | Updated automatically | Must be manually checked and updated |
| Availability of Latest Items | Access to the latest items | Dependent on manual download cycles |
| Security Updates | Pushed as available | Requires manual download and import |
Being well-versed in populating the Azure Stack Hub Marketplace manually is crucial for the AZ-600 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub exam. The candidate must understand the process and be able to execute it to keep their environment up to date and secure despite being disconnected from the internet.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: You can directly download marketplace items from the internet within a disconnected Azure Stack Hub environment.
- False
Explanation: In a disconnected Azure Stack Hub environment, you cannot download marketplace items directly from the internet as there is no connectivity. You must manually download items to a connected environment and then transfer them to the disconnected environment.
In an Azure Stack Hub environment, the tool used to import and export marketplace items is known as:
- A) Azure Stack Hub Marketplace Syndication Tool
- B) Azure Stack Hub Marketplace Downloader
- C) Azure Resource Manager
- D) Azure Marketplace Packager
Answer: A) Azure Stack Hub Marketplace Syndication Tool
Explanation: The Azure Stack Hub Marketplace Syndication Tool is used to import and export marketplace items for environments that are disconnected or have limited connectivity.
True or False: You can use the Azure Stack Hub user portal to populate the marketplace in a disconnected environment.
- False
Explanation: The Azure Stack Hub user portal can’t be used to populate the marketplace in a disconnected environment as it requires access to the internet to directly download items from the online Azure Marketplace.
Which of the following file types is used to package marketplace items for import into Azure Stack Hub?
- A) .zip
- B) .azpkg
- C) .msi
- D) .exe
Answer: B) .azpkg
Explanation: Marketplace items for Azure Stack Hub are packaged as .azpkg files for import into the disconnected environment.
True or False: You are required to have administrator access to both the Azure and Azure Stack Hub portals to populate the Azure Stack Hub Marketplace in a disconnected environment.
- True
Explanation: Administrator access is typically required for both portals to manage and download marketplace items, and for operations in the disconnected Azure Stack Hub.
What command-line tool can be used to download items from Azure Marketplace for an Azure Stack Hub disconnected environment?
- A) Azure CLI
- B) PowerShell
- C) Azure Marketplace Downloader
- D) Both A and B
Answer: D) Both A and B
Explanation: You can use Azure CLI or PowerShell with Azure Stack Hub’s Marketplace Syndication Tool to download items for a disconnected Azure Stack Hub environment.
True or False: It is mandatory to download all the available marketplace items to your local marketplace in a disconnected Azure Stack Hub environment.
- False
Explanation: It is not mandatory to download all available marketplace items; you only need to download the ones needed for your workload.
The process of preparing and transferring downloaded marketplace items to an Azure Stack Hub disconnected environment is categorized under which operation?
- A) Synchronization
- B) Syndication
- C) Packaging
- D) Deployment
Answer: B) Syndication
Explanation: The process is called syndication, which involves preparing marketplace items and transferring them to the disconnected Azure Stack Hub.
True or False: The Dependency Agent for monitoring solutions must be downloaded separately from the Azure Monitor solution in the disconnected Azure Stack Hub Marketplace.
- True
Explanation: The Dependency Agent is a separate component that must be downloaded separately when preparing monitoring solutions like Azure Monitor in a disconnected Azure Stack Hub environment.
Before downloading a marketplace item for a disconnected Azure Stack Hub, what must be done with the Azure subscription?
- A) It must be suspended.
- B) It must be registered with Azure Stack Hub.
- C) It must be updated with a new payment method.
- D) It must have multi-factor authentication enabled.
Answer: B) It must be registered with Azure Stack Hub.
Explanation: The Azure subscription must be registered with Azure Stack Hub to ensure the marketplace item is compatible and available for download.
True or False: If you are operating Azure Stack Hub in a disconnected mode, your ARM templates can include resources that need to be downloaded from the Azure Marketplace on the fly.
- False
Explanation: When operating in a disconnected mode, ARM templates cannot include resources that need to be downloaded on the fly from the Azure Marketplace, since there is no internet connectivity. All required resources must be pre-downloaded and available locally.
How often do you need to refresh the marketplace items in a disconnected Azure Stack Hub environment to keep them up-to-date?
- A) Weekly
- B) Monthly
- C) Quarterly
- D) As needed, when new versions or updates are released
Answer: D) As needed, when new versions or updates are released
Explanation: Marketplace items in a disconnected Azure Stack Hub environment should be refreshed as needed, based on when new versions or updates of the software are released. The frequency depends on the specific items and their update cycles.
I successfully populated Azure Stack Hub Marketplace in a disconnected environment by using the Azure Stack Hub Development Kit (ASDK). It was pretty straightforward.
Thanks for this informative blog post!
Can someone elaborate on the steps to deploy custom images in the marketplace offline?
I experienced some issues with importing Marketplace items due to certificate validation failures.
Negative: The process is very convoluted and there isn’t enough support material available.
Can someone help me understand how to use AzCopy in a disconnected environment?
The Azure Stack marketplace syndication process is tricky. Any tips?
Appreciate the detailed steps provided!