Chapter 16: Extending Your On-Premises Environment to Azure

Another common entry point to using Azure is the migration of servers or databases from on-premise into Azure. 

There are many options for data migration, with many features to consider (e.g. HA, DR, security). Three data migration options discussed are:

• Blob copy – copy files via AzCopy command or Azure Storage Explorer

• Azure Data Box – copy data to device and ship to Microsoft to load

• Azure Migrate – used with databases, 2 parts: assessment and migrate

Examples, limits, and recommendations are provided for each option.

Next, the chapter looks at server migration options. The author says the easiest way to migrate is via Azure Site Recovery (ASR). Another tool, Azure Migrate, can be used to provide an assessment, and perform the migration. 

Some hybrid cloud options are then discussed. Site to site VPN and ExpressRoute can be used to extend on-premise systems to Azure. ExpressRoute is like VPN but bypasses the public internet, making it faster but also more expensive.

The chapter ends with a look at Azure Arc, this is a solution for deploying Azure services anywhere and extended Azure-based management to a hybrid infrastructure. A (long) case-study is discussed.

This chapter provides useful directions on migrating to Azure. VHD is discussed without defining it (i.e. Virtual Hard Disk).

Chapter 17: Top Ten Azure Technology Opportunities to Watch

This chapter and the next, feel more like a traditional Dummies book. The Azure environment is dynamic, with features continuously being added, updated, and retired. In fact, one of the problems with Azure walkthroughs is the screenshots have often changed when you come to follow them.

This chapter discusses 10 technologies that might impact the near-future, these include:

• Rapid AI and Edge Adoption

• Emphasis on Zero Trust Cloud Security

• Bringing Data Analytics Mainstream

• Pushing Low-Code and No-Code Development

• Environmental Sustainability

For each topic, a short overview of what it is and why it looks important is given. Some interesting areas to keep an eye on.

Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Optimize an Azure Environment

Since Azure often makes things simple (e.g. create a VM), it is easy to forget about routine tasks. This chapter provides some useful reminders to consider for costs and maintenance. Features discussed include:

• Tidy Up Your Azure Environment

• Avoid Disaster with Azure Backup

• Monitor Your Spending with Azure Cost Tools

• Use Elastic Database Pools

• Purchase Azure Capacity Using Reservations

All the topics discussed are useful, and most should improve your systems, and some can significantly reduce your costs.

Conclusion

This book aims to provide a gentle yet thorough introduction to Microsoft Azure, does it succeed? 

I think it depends on the type of reader. If you’re a traditional ‘Dummies book series’ reader, then it fails, because it makes too many assumptions. If you work in IT, and especially if you already have some cloud/Azure knowledge, then it succeeds.

Assuming you have some IT knowledge, then the book covers a wide range of topics, and sufficient depth, to give you some confidence in the topics. One gripe I had was, sometimes the author includes too much detail about the topic (e.g. the meaning of the various HTTP verbs), I think this is not necessary in an introductory book (else put it in footnotes or appendices).

I don’t think this is a Dummies series book. But it is a useful introduction to a wide range of Azure topics if you work in IT and already have some cloud knowledge.

• For recommendations books on Azure, see Cloud Computing Books Pick Of The Bunch on Programmer's Bookshelf.

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