AZURE Cloud Monthly Updates Newsletter – November 2024.
Santhosh (Santhoshkumar) Anandakrishnan
Lead Cloud Solution Architect | Azure MVP | Cloud & Infrastructure Consulting | Co-Organiser Azure Builders Meetup
Welcome to the latest edition of the Azure Cloud newsletter, our final instalment for this year. As always, we have compiled comprehensive updates and information to keep you well-informed about Azure Cloud. Stay with us for insights to help you make the most of Azure!
Prepared by: Santhosh (Santhoshkumar) Anandakrishnan - Azure Cloud MVP.
You can visit my blog if you would like to read more about my work on Azure service.
1. Azure Compute Services
1.1 Generally Available: DA/Ea/Fav6 series AMD-based Azure Virtual Machines (VM)
Microsoft has announced the general availability of its new Da/Ea/Fav6 series AMD-based virtual machines (VMs), including the general-purpose Dasv6 and Dalsv6, memory-optimised Easv6, and compute-optimised Falsv6, Fasv6, and Famsv6 series.
What is changing with this update? These VMs deliver improved and price performance and are suitable for various workloads, such as data analytics, application servers, and databases.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/azurecompute/new-daeafav6-vms-with-increased-performance-and-azure-boost-are-now-generally-av/4309381
1.2 Public Preview: Spot Placement Score
The Azure Spot Placement Score is a feature designed to help you assess the likelihood of successful deployments for your Spot Virtual Machines (VMs). Spot availability can vary due to SKU size, location, availability zones, or the time of day.
What is changing with this update? The Spot Placement Score evaluates the chances of deployment success by assigning a High, Medium, or Low rating to a specific Spot VM size before deployment. This feature enhances clarity and control, allowing you to make more informed decisions about which Spot VMs to deploy and where.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machine-scale-sets/spot-placement-score?tabs=portal
1.3 Public Preview: Multi-region deployment in Azure Compute Fleet
Azure Compute is introducing a public preview of multi-region deployment in Azure Compute Fleet, enhancing flexibility and reliability for cloud workloads. This feature allows applications to run seamlessly across regions, ensuring scalability and fault tolerance.
What is changing with this update? Multi-region Compute Fleet lets workloads run seamlessly across various regions, ensuring scalability and fault tolerance. It simplifies deploying and managing thousands of VMs with a single API call, catering to global applications and unpredictable demand. Users can specify their needed capacity by choosing up to three regions. Azure will allocate Standard and Spot VMs accordingly, utilising a tailored SKU list for their requirements.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/azurecompute/new-multi-region-compute-fleet---dynamically-distribute-workloads-across-regions/4294969
1.4 Generally Available: Upgrade Policies on Virtual Machine Scale sets with Flexible orchestration.
Virtual machine scale set upgrade policies allow for more granular control over the upgrade process, ensuring your services remain available and responsive during updates. The available upgrade policies are Automatic, Manual, and Rolling.
Each Virtual Machine Scale Set has an upgrade policy mode that determines how instances are updated to the latest scale set model. These changes to the scale set model include updates that need to be applied to each instance.
What is changing with this update??The upgrade policy mode can be configured during the creation of the scale set or changed after deployment. If you do not explicitly set it, it will default to "manual."
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/azure/virtual-machine-scale-sets/virtual-machine-scale-sets-upgrade-policy
1.5 Public Preview: Attribute-based VM selection in Azure compute fleet.
Attribute-based VM selection is a new feature in Azure Compute Fleet that allows you to define your instance requirements using a set of VM attributes, such as memory, vCPU, and storage, rather than selecting specific VM sizes.
What is changing with this update? This means that users can obtain optimal combinations of VMs that meet the specified attributes, regardless of the VM size, simplifying the process of selecting and managing VM sizes.
Additionally, this feature enables seamless use of newer VM generations as they become available and provides access to a broader capacity range through Azure Spot Virtual Machines. The Compute Fleet service selects and launches VMs that match the specified attributes, eliminating the need for manual VM size selection.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-compute-fleet/attribute-based-vm-selection
1.6 Public Preview: Resilient create and delete on Virtual Machine Scale sets.
Azure has introduced an innovative feature to enhance the reliability of virtual machine creation and deletion within scale sets. The new "Resilient Create and Delete" functionality automatically initiates recovery processes for failed creation or deletion attempts.
What is changing with this update??This feature performs retries for these operations, significantly minimising the manual effort needed to identify and manage unused resources. Thus, it streamlines user resource management.
Resilient creation and deletion for Virtual Machine Scale Sets help minimise errors during the creation and deletion of Virtual Machines (VMs) by automatically retrying any failed operations. When VMs fail, they can accumulate, leading to unusable capacity and necessitating manual detection and cleanup efforts. Although these errors are infrequent, the resilient create and delete mechanism is designed for customers deploying or removing large volumes of Virtual Machine Scale Sets or VMs.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machine-scale-sets/resilient-vm-create-delete?tabs=portal-1
1.7 Generally Available: VM scale set (VMSS) zonal expansion
The Azure VMSS Zonal Expansion feature is generally available. It enables customers to shift from regional to zonal resiliency or add zones to their scale sets. By distributing VMs across multiple zones, this enhancement improves business continuity and resilience, achieving a higher availability SLA of 99.99%, up from 99.95%.
What is changing with this update??The Azure VMSS Zonal Expansion feature makes migrating to a zone-redundant availability strategy easier. Customers can update their scale set without deleting and recreating instances or facing downtime. This enhances application availability and reliability, ensuring resilience against disruptions.?
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machine-scale-sets/virtual-machine-scale-sets-use-availability-zones?tabs=portal-2#update-scale-set-to-add-availability-zones
1.8 Generally Available: App service multi-plan subnet join (MPSJ).
Virtual network integration in App Service previously required a separate subnet for each App Service plan integration. This could become an unnecessary administrative burden when managing multiple App Service plans. We are pleased to announce the general availability of multi-plan subnet join (MPSJ).
What is changing with this update?? MPSJ helps reduce subnet sprawl when working with numerous apps across different plans and simplifies the management of networking controls, such as Network Security Groups and Route Tables, across these App Service plans.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/appsonazureblog/announcing-app-service-multi-plan-subnet-join/3971493
2. Azure Data and Storage Services
2.1 Generally Available: Enhancements on Elastic SAN on resiliency, scalability and integration with Azure VMWare Solution.
Azure has published an availability Service Level Agreement (SLA) that helps provide peace of mind for running mission-critical workloads on Elastic SAN.?Additionally, Azure has enabled CRC protection?to help customers maintain the integrity of their data by providing CRC32C checksum verification.
What is changing with this update? AVS customers can deploy workloads based on various storage performance and reliability characteristics with Elastic SAN as the native block storage and Azure NetApp Files for native file storage.
Azure Elastic SAN offers AVS customers an Azure-deployed, fully managed, VMware-certified SAN that can achieve massive scale, is easy to manage, and has redundancy built-in at a low TCO.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-vmware/configure-azure-elastic-san
2.2 Generally Available: Mirroring Azure SQL Database in Fabric
Azure announces the general availability of Mirroring the Azure SQL Database in Fabric. Mirroring is a simple, free, and frictionless way to replicate a snapshot of incremental data changes in the Azure SQL Database to Fabric OneLake. Delta tables keep your data in sync in near real-time. Mirroring is a low-cost, zero-code, zero-ETL solution that brings data together, driving faster time to insight.
What is changing with this update? Mirroring in Fabric is a valuable feature that enables you to replicate your Azure SQL Database to Fabric’s OneLake. This functionality ensures that your data remains current and easily accessible for advanced analytics, AI, and data science without complex ETL processes. Setting up mirroring is straightforward.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://blog.fabric.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-mirroring-azure-sql-database-in-fabric-now-generally-available-ga
2.3 Generally Available: Azure Netapp Files Cool access support for large volumes.
Azure has announced the general availability of its Cool Access feature, which is now supported for large volumes. This feature enables the tiering of infrequently accessed data in large volumes—whether under standard, premium, or ultra storage—allowing it to be moved to a lower-cost storage tier.
What is changing with this update? This functionality helps optimise costs for large-capacity workloads by applying savings to inactive data. The seamless integration across all service levels enhances Cool Access capabilities for substantial data repositories that must remain online for compliance and business processes.
All features supported by Cool Access can now be used for large volumes ranging from 50 TiB to 1 PiB, possibly extending up to 2 PiB upon request. This capability will only be available in Azure NetApp Files (ANF) regions where large volumes are supported.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-netapp-files/manage-cool-access?tabs=standard
2.4 Public Preview: Azure Managed Redis
Azure Managed Redis is now in public preview and offers the latest Redis features with improved availability and cost-effectiveness. This service enhances the performance of AI applications, supports session management, and works seamlessly with various Azure services.
What is changing with this update? You can customise your Redis solution by choosing from four new tiers, allowing you to meet specific performance and memory needs. Azure Managed Redis ensures up to 99.999% availability* for continuous access to mission-critical applications while providing enterprise-level security and password-free authentication through Microsoft Entra ID. As your applications grow, fast and reliable data access becomes essential.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-cache-for-redis/managed-redis/managed-redis-overview
2.5 Generally Available: Azure SQL Managed Instance Pools
Azure SQL instance pools enable the deployment of computing resources for Azure SQL-managed instances. When migrating SQL Server to Azure or managing an existing Azure SQL Managed Instances fleet, you can utilise cost-effective, two-vCore instances.
What is changing with this update? This setup provides an ideal platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solution for small database requirements. You can resize an instance pool or include instances of varying sizes within the same pool. Also, you can move instances in and out of these pools as you need them. Instance pools offer a flexible method for organising and provisioning Azure SQL Managed Instances with a two-vCore granularity.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/azuresqlblog/azure-sql-managed-instance-pools-general-availability/4304474
2.6 Generally Available: Immutable WORM Storage Backup in Azure Recovery Vaults.
Azure Backup users can now enable immutable Write Once, Read Many (WORM) backup storage in their Recovery Services Vault. This feature is available for existing and new vaults with locked immutability settings. It is currently in preview in select regions.
What is changing with this update? When immutability is enabled, it ensures that a Recovery Point, once created, cannot be deleted or have its retention period shortened before its set expiration date. Additionally, when immutability is locked, Azure Backup will utilise WORM-enabled immutable storage to comply with regulatory requirements.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-immutable-vault-how-to-manage?tabs=recovery-services-vault
2.7 Public Preview: Secure by default with vault soft delete for Azure Backup.
Secure by default with soft delete for Azure Backup allows you to recover your backup data even after it has been deleted. By enabling soft delete at the vault level, Azure promises security for all customers. All backup data will be recoverable by default for 14 days.
What is changing with this update??Soft delete?and?Enhanced Soft delete?have been generally available for Recovery Services vaults. By enabling soft delete at the vault level, we're now offering a secure by-default promise for all customers: All backup data will be recoverable by default for 14 days.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/secure-by-default
3. Azure Network and Security Services:
3.1 Public Preview: Azure DNS Support for DNSSEC
Azure DNS supports DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) in our public cloud. This enhancement enhances security for your domain names by ensuring the integrity and authenticity of DNS data. API, CLI, Portal, and PowerShell support are also available now.
What is changing with this update? DNS zones are secured with DNSSEC using a process called zone signing. Signing a zone with DNSSEC adds validation support without changing the DNS query and response mechanism. With this feature, we can enable DNSSEC for the Azure public DNS zone.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/azure/dns/dnssec-how-to?tabs=sign-portal
3.2 Public Preview: Copilot in Azure's embedded experience for Azure Firewall integration in Security Copilot.
Security Copilot is an AI-powered security solution designed to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of security personnel, ultimately improving security outcomes rapidly and at scale.
What is changing with this update??The integration of Azure Firewall within Security Copilot enables analysts to conduct thorough investigations of malicious traffic intercepted by their firewalls' Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS) feature across their entire network using natural language questions. These capabilities were introduced on the Security Copilot portal earlier this year, and they are now being further integrated with Azure Firewall for a more seamless experience.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/azure/firewall/firewall-copilot
3.3 Public Preview: Azure Virtual Network now supports the configuration of private IP address blocks on network interfaces.
Azure Virtual Network now supports more private IP addresses when configured on a network interface. You can set up one primary IP and multiple secondary IP configurations using a /28 CIDR block that offers 16 usable private IPv4 addresses per configuration.
What is changing with this update? This enhancement significantly increases the number of usable IP addresses in a virtual network. This capability is particularly beneficial for scenarios where customers must deploy many Kubernetes (K8s) containers within a virtual network. It allows seamless routing between virtual machines (VMs) and K8s containers.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/azure/virtual-network/ip-services/virtual-network-private-ip-address-blocks-portal
3.4 Public Preview: DNS security policy
This new feature enhances the visibility of DNS traffic at the virtual network (VNET) level. It lets you send logs to a storage account, Log Analytics workspace, or Event Hubs. The preview also includes DNS filtering, which allows you to allow or block access based on predefined lists of domains. The general availability (GA) release will feature a threat intelligence feed that identifies known malicious domains sourced from the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) and other security researchers.
What is changing with this update? DNS security policy filters DNS queries at the VNET level, allowing you to manage domain name resolution. Key elements include:
- Location: Applies to VNets in the same region.
- DNS Traffic Rules: Set rules to allow, block, or alert.
- Virtual Network Links: One policy per VNet and multiple associations are allowed.
- DNS Domain Lists: Lists of domains based on location.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dns/dns-security-policy
3.5 Public Preview: Fallback to Internet private DNS zones.
This new feature makes adopting a fully managed solution for Network Isolation easier. It simplifies the use of Private Links and Private DNS and enables public recursion when receiving authoritative responses from Private DNS Zones.
What is changing with this update? Customers can now rely on a wholly managed native solution, removing the need for IaaS-based DNS servers to utilise Private Links and Private DNS. This Resolution policy is enabled at the virtual network link level. In the Azure portal, this resolution policy property is enabled by selecting Enable fallback to the internet in virtual network link configuration.?
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dns/private-dns-fallback
领英推荐
3.6 Generally Available: Azure Load Balancer now supports Health Status and Admin state.
a. Announcing the availability of Azure Load Balancer Health Status, a feature that provides detailed information about the health of backend instances in your Azure Load Balancer pool.
b. The administrative state (Admin state) is a feature of Azure Load Balancer that enables you to customise the health probe behaviour for each backend pool instance. This feature is handy when taking offline backend instances for maintenance, patching, or testing.
What is changing with this update?
a. This feature offers insights into the health status and reasons for issues, including user-triggered and platform-triggered codes. This feature enables effective monitoring and management, improving troubleshooting and efficiency for your Load Balancer.
b. The admin state allows you to control the behaviour of your Load Balancer. Setting it to "up" keeps a backend instance eligible for new connections regardless of health probe results. Conversely, setting it to "down" prevents new connections, even if the instance is healthy. This state is helpful for maintenance or temporarily removing an instance from rotation.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/azure/load-balancer/load-balancer-manage-health-status?tabs=azure-portal
3.7 Generally Available: Azure Virtual Network Manager user-defined route (UDR) management.
Azure has announced the general availability of User-Defined Route (UDR) Management in Azure Virtual Network Manager. This feature simplifies complex routing by automating UDR orchestration, allowing users to quickly set up and deploy routing configurations across virtual networks without manual creation or custom scripts.
What is changing with this update? UDR Management enables users to organise routing rules into collections tied to specific network groups, promoting reusability and consistency. Users can implement custom routing behaviours for various scenarios, ensuring flexible and seamless routing that effortlessly adapts to network changes.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-network-manager/concept-user-defined-route
3.8 Generally Available: Azure cross-subscription load balancer.
Azure has announced that its cross-subscription Load Balancer is now generally available. This feature allows load balancer components, such as the frontend IP address or backend instances, to exist in different subscriptions than the load balancer itself.
What is changing with this update??Cross-subscription load balancing lets you use Azure Load Balancer resources across different subscriptions. For example, you can set up a load balancer in one subscription while placing the frontend IP and backend pool instances in another. This feature is helpful for organisations that keep their networking and application resources in separate subscriptions.
3.9 Private Preview: Web Application Firewall (WAF) running on Application Gateway for Containers.
Application Gateway for Containers offers a private Web Application Firewall (WAF) preview. The WAF's Default Ruleset provides Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) users with centralised protection against malicious attacks and exploits.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/application-gateway/for-containers/overview
4. Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS):
4.1 Public Preview: Upgrade algorithm improvements in AKS.
AKS upgrades currently fail when a pod drain failure occurs. A new algorithm is being introduced to improve upgrade efficiency. It allows you to configure upgrades so that if a node is blocked, AKS will use any available surge capacity to continue upgrading other nodes, labelling the blocked node as 'quarantined'.
What is changing with this update? It allows administrators to configure upgrade behaviour for drain failures. The default is Schedule, where a drain failure stops the upgrade. Alternatively, Cordon skips failing nodes, marking them quarantined, and continues upgrading the rest. This aids in troubleshooting while managing quarantined nodes.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/upgrade-cluster?tabs=azure-cli#optimize-for-undrainable-node-behavior-preview
4.2 Generally Available: Regional disaster recovery by Azure Backup for AKS.
Azure has announced the general availability of Vaulted Backup support in Azure Backup for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). This feature aids organisations in compliance, operational resilience, and protection against regional disasters.
What is changing with this update? Vaulted backups streamline compliance, bolster security, and enhance resilience for cloud-native environments. The Key Benefits are:
- Disaster Recovery: Cross-Region Restore ensures business continuity and compliance.
- Regulatory Compliance: Long-term retention of backups for up to 10 years supports global compliance.
- Enhanced Security: Immutable vaults and role-based access control safeguard against ransomware and unauthorised access.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/tutorial-restore-aks-backups-across-regions
4.3 Generally Available: Kubernetes Metadata and Logs filtering in Azure Monitor - Container Insights.
Azure has announced the general availability of Kubernetes Metadata and Logs Filtering in Azure Monitor—Container Insights. This update adds Kubernetes metadata to the ContainerLogsV2 schema, including PodLabels, Annotations, Uid, and Image details, and allows customisation via ConfigMap.
What is changing with this update? The new Logs Filtering feature enables precise filtering of workload and system pods/containers, with log-level information to assess application health using colour-coded severity levels. A Grafana Dashboard can visualise metrics for deeper analysis and real-time monitoring, enhancing users' visibility into their workloads.
To learn more about this update, visit:https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/containers/container-insights-logs-schema#kubernetes-metadata-and-logs-filtering
4.4 Public Preview: Standby pools for Azure container Instance.
Standby Pools for Azure Container Instances allow customers to create a pool of pre-provisioned container groups that can be scaled up in response to incoming traffic.
What is changing with this update??Standby pools for Azure Container Instances allow you to create pre-provisioned container groups ready to handle incoming traffic. These groups use a container group profile for configuration, and customers can apply updated parameters through config maps without restarting them.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/container-instances/container-instances-standby-pool-overview
4.5 Public Preview: Multi-Cluster Auto upgrade in Azure Kubernetes Fleet Manager
AKS fleet is excited to announce the introduction of auto-upgrade support. This feature allows for automated update runs triggered by the release of new Kubernetes or node image versions on Azure.
What is changing with this update? Administrators can now create multiple auto-upgrade profiles for their fleet, allowing them to manage combinations of Kubernetes and node image version updates. Additionally, existing update run strategies can be applied to determine the order in which clusters are upgraded, ensuring that upgrades are completed within the maintenance windows set for each cluster.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/kubernetes-fleet/update-automation?tabs=azure-portal
4.6 Generally Available:
a. Intelligent cross-cluster Kubernetes resource placement using Azure Kubernetes Fleet Manager
Fleet now offers an intelligent resource placement capability that can make scheduling decisions based on node count, compute costs in target member clusters and availability of resources (CPU/Memory) in clusters.
What is changing with this update? Fleet operators must choose optimal clusters for workloads based on factors like computing costs and available resources. Managing Kubernetes resources across multiple clusters can be tedious. This article explores how Azure Kubernetes Fleet Manager (Fleet) simplifies this process with its intelligent resource placement feature.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/kubernetes-fleet/intelligent-resource-placement?tabs=azure-cli
b. Extended workload scheduling capabilities in Azure Kubernetes Fleet Manager.
At the cluster level, ClusterResourceOverride allows operators to define rules based on cluster labels, modifying resources like namespaces, roles, and custom resource definitions (CRDs).
What is changing with this update??Extended scheduling has two main capabilities: cluster and namespace-wide attribute overrides for resources.
This can involve updates to permissions or configurations. At the namespace level, ResourceOverride specifies changes for resources such as Deployments, StatefulSets, ConfigMaps, or Secrets, including updates to container images and resource limits.
These overrides ensure consistent management and configuration enforcement across Fleet-managed Kubernetes clusters.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/kubernetes-fleet/cluster-resource-override?tabs=azure-cli
5. Azure PaaS Services:
5.1 Generally Available: Shared Workspace Gateways in Azure API Management.
This new feature allows users to associate multiple workspaces with a single workspace gateway, offering a cost-effective way to federate API management.?
What is changing with this update? This new capability allows you to associate up to thirty workspaces with a workspace gateway, offering the advantages of federated API management at a lower cost when runtime isolation between workspaces is unnecessary. With workspaces, organisations can empower API teams to manage their APIs independently while centralising oversight and unifying API discovery through the developer portal. You can now achieve these benefits at a significantly lower cost by connecting up to thirty workspaces to one gateway.?
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/azure/api-management/how-to-create-workspace
5.2 Public Preview: Logic Apps Hybrid Deployment Model
The launch of the Logic Apps Hybrid Deployment Model, a new feature that empowers customers with additional flexibility and control. This new offering allows you to build and deploy workflows that run on customer-managed infrastructure, allowing you to run Logic Apps on-premises, in a private cloud, or even in a third-party public cloud.
What is changing with this update? This hybrid deployment approach allows you to customise your integration solutions based on regulatory, privacy, or network-specific requirements by selecting the most suitable environment for your workflows. Running workflows on local infrastructure gives you access to local data sources, supports high-throughput processing, and ensures that data remains within your preferred environment. Furthermore, you can integrate those systems seamlessly with the extensive Azure Logic Apps connector library when connecting to external resources, such as SaaS services.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/logic-apps/create-standard-workflows-hybrid-deployment?tabs=azure-portal
5.3 Generally Available: Template support in Azure Logic Apps Standard and Premium integration account in Azure logic apps.
a. Azure Logic Apps templates are pre-built workflow solutions for various integration scenarios, from simple data transfers to complex automation and event-driven processes. These templates offer a strong foundation, allowing users to quickly set up and deploy workflows without starting from scratch.
b. The Premium Integration Account in Azure Logic Apps enhances B2B integrations for enterprise needs. It supports mission-critical workloads with increased limits, higher throughput, and better scalability.
What is changing with this update?
a.?By utilising these templates, developers can access a growing library of pre-built options to accelerate their Logic Apps projects. Whether you are working on straightforward workflows or intricate integrations, these templates are designed to simplify your applications' building, deployment, and management.
b. This account efficiently handles complex EDI, AS2, and XML processes while ensuring data security through Virtual Network (VNET) integration. It is designed for optimal performance, helping organisations streamline processes and maintain compliance.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/logic-apps/create-single-tenant-workflows-templates
5.4 Generally Available: Deployment slots in Azure Logic Apps Standard.
Azure Logic Apps Standard's deployment slots enable zero-downtime deployment for critical applications. This feature provides enterprise-grade availability, helping you effortlessly meet high availability requirements.
What is changing with this update? To deploy mission-critical logic apps that are always available and responsive, even during updates or maintenance, you can enable zero downtime deployment by creating and using deployment slots. The Key benefits include:
- Zero Downtime: Keep apps available during updates for a seamless user experience.
- Continuous Delivery: Deliver updates consistently, enhancing quality and reliability.
- Flexible Slot Management: Create multiple slots for staged rollouts and safe testing.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/logic-apps/set-up-deployment-slots?tabs=portal
5.5 Generally Available: Azure Functions Flex Consumption Plan.
The Flex Consumption plan is a new Azure Functions hosting option that enhances the consumption pay-per-second billing model with automatic scaling to zero when idle for cost efficiency.
What is changing with this update??It offers flexibility and customizability while maintaining existing features. Seamless virtual network integration at no extra cost ensures secure communication without impacting scale-out performance. Customers can leverage serverless Functions-as-a-Service (FaaS) for scalable, high-throughput, and reliable applications. Key features include elastic scaling, instance size selection, private networking, longer execution times, and concurrency control, allowing for low-latency event-driven applications with always-ready instances.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/azure/azure-functions/flex-consumption-plan
5.6 Public Preview: Secure by default with vault soft delete for Azure Backup.
Secure by default with soft delete for Azure Backup allows you to recover your backup data even after it has been deleted. By enabling soft delete at the vault level, Azure promises security for all customers. All backup data will be recoverable by default for 14 days.
What is changing with this update??Soft delete?and?Enhanced Soft delete?have been generally available for Recovery Services vaults. By enabling soft delete at the vault level, we're now offering a secure by-default promise for all customers: All backup data will be recoverable by default for 14 days.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/secure-by-default
5.7 Generally Available: Entra ID support for SSH connections in the portal.
Azure announces that Azure Bastion supports the portal's Microsoft Entra ID authentication for SSH connections. This update provides two main benefits for users connecting to their virtual machines.
What is changing with this update?? First, it eliminates the need for local authentication mechanisms, which reduces the risk of attack for reducing actors. Second, with Microsoft Entra ID authentication as the chosen method, users can enjoy a one-click sign-on experience when connecting to virtual machines rather than providing additional authentication rather than providing additional authentication.
To learn more about this update, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/architecture/auth-ssh
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