The Azure Podcast

The team discusses the magic behind how Wayne Overcash, Senior PM of Azure FastTrack program, orchestrates different Azure components that goes into ensuring that people can find out where Santa is on Christmas Eve. Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode354.mp3

The team discusses that latest and greatest WVD capabilities with Senior PM Pavithra Thiruvengadam, plus talks about the breaking news about the recent FedRAMP High qualification of WVD. Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode353.mp3 Resources: https://aka.ms/wvdroadmap https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-government/compliance/azure-services-in-fedramp-auditscope https://devblogs.microsoft.com/azuregov/windows-virtual-desktop-now-generally-available-in-azure-government/  

Kendall, Cale and Sujit talk to Michael Howard, a Senior Principal Consultant at Microsoft and an expert in Azure Security related topics. Michael has his own Podcast on these topics so we asked him about some of the trends, issues and advise he has discussed on his own Podcast. He provides some great insights into what is top-of-mind in the cloud security space.   Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode352.mp3 Resources: Podcast https://azsecuritypodcast.net/ https://twitter.com/AzureSecPod Me https://twitter.com/michael_howard https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehow/ https://michaelhowardsecure.blog/ Other updates: Azure Cost Management and Billing updates – October 2020 https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/azure-cost-management-billing-updates-october-2020/    Microsoft unlocks the full potential of the smart building ecosystem https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/microsoft-unlocks-the-full-potential-of-the-smart-building-ecosystem/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/public-preview-aks-pod-identity/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/ga-azure-spot-on-aks/  

Principal Program Manager for all things Java on Azure, Asir Selvasingh, introduces us to the new Azure Spring Cloud. He gives us a primer on the Spring ecosystem, explains why Microsoft created this new Azure service and provides us with details on how the platform was architected for Azure to meet the needs of Enterprise customers. Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode351.mp3 Resources: Get started -- Deploy Spring apps to Azure Spring Cloud using quickstart Learn using a self-paced workshop on GitHub Deploy an existing app to Azure Spring Cloud Learn more about implementing solutions on Azure Spring Cloud Play YouTube videos and learn Migrate your Spring Boot, Spring Cloud and Tomcat apps to Azure Spring Cloud Wire Spring apps to interact with Azure services. Info deck: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/artifacts/azure-spring-cloud-intro-sep-2020-s.pdf   Other Updates : Introducing the Microsoft Azure Modular Datacenter https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-the-microsoft-azure-modular-datacenter/ Solving IoT device security at scale through standards https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/solving-iot-device-security-at-scale-through-standards/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-key-vault-event-grid-integration-is-now-available/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-rolebased-access-control-rbac-for-azure-key-vault-data-plane-authorization-is-now-in-preview/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/fluent-bit-connector-for-azure-storage-to-support-azure-data-explorer/

The data IoT devices provide are now considered a valuable resource for companies to make decisions and predictions. Diego Viso, a Principal PM Manager, discuss with us how Time Series Insights can be leveraged for real-time insights and large data analytics to drive operation improvements.    Media File: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode350.mp3   Resources: Official launch announcement on Azure.com Our refreshed ACOM page with a fresh new video Landing page Pricing Page Our documentation Azure Time Series Gen2 documentation Walk through our tutorial Azure Architecture Center - IIoT architecture guidance Our videos Build 2020 - Make your IoT data useful with an end-to-end analytics platform, Azure Time Series Insights Channel 9 IoT Show - Deep Dive: Analyzing IoT data using Times Series Insights Channel 9 IoT Show - Using Azure Time Series Insights to create an industrial IoT analytics platform.   Other Updates: Zone Redundancy for Azure Cache for Redis now in preview https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/zone-redundancy-for-azure-cache-for-redis-now-in-preview/ Azure and Intel commit to delivering next generation confidential computing https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/azure-and-intel-commit-to-delivering-next-generation-confidential-computing/ Announcing advanced Azure Machine Learning nanodegree program with Udacity https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-advanced-azure-machine-learning-nanodegree-program-with-udacity/ Azure DevTest Labs - Create a network isolated lab   https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-devtest-labs-create-a-network-isolated-lab/

Since outages are guaranteed to happen eventually, it is important to understand how customers are notified about these unfortunate events. Sami Kubba, a Principal PM Manager in the Azure CXP team, gives us insights into what happens behinds the scenes when these events occur. He provides some upcoming updates around making this process even more transparent. Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode349.mp3 Resources: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/advancing-the-outage-experience-automation-communication-and-transparency/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/service-health/overview   Other updates: Microsoft plans to establish new cloud datacenter region in Greece https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/microsoft-plans-to-establish-new-cloud-datacenter-region-in-greece/ Enabling resilient DevOps practices with code to cloud automation https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/enabling-resilient-devops-practices-with-code-to-cloud-automation/ Azure Red Hat updates https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-red-hat-openshift-lower-prices-more-flexible-purchase-options-and-improved-sla/

We chat with Veronica Gomez at EY on how she took up the Cloud skills challenge that Cloud Solution Architect Frank Sposaro put together at EY.   Media File: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode348.mp3

The team is fortunate to have to have Tom Kerkhove, an Azure Architect with https://codit.eu and more importantly, a maintainer of the KEDA project. He talks to use about the need for autoscaling Kubernetes workloads and how KEDA helps to realize that pattern. He provides tips for using KEDA and a roadmap of new features. Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode347.mp3 Keda resources: https://www.codit.eu/blog/why-running-azure-logic-apps-anywhere-is-a-game-changer/ https://keda.sh/blog/keda-2.0-beta/ https://github.com/kedacore/keda#become-a-listed-keda-user Tom's GitHub page https://github.com/tomkerkhove AKS scale to zero nodes issue discussed on the show: https://github.com/Azure/AKS/issues/1565   Other updates discussed on the show: Build rich communication experiences at scale with Azure Communication Services https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/build-rich-communication-experiences-at-scale-with-azure-communication-services/ Introducing Azure Orbital: Process satellite data at cloud-scale https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-azure-orbital-process-satellite-data-at-cloudscale/ Logic Apps updated with new hosting options, improved performance and developer workflows https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/logic-apps-updated-with-new-hosting-options-improved-performance-and-developer-workflows/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-arc-enabled-data-services-now-in-preview/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azureobjectanchorsprivatepreview/ Public preview: Azure role-based access control (RBAC) for Kubernetes authorization https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/public-preview-azure-rbac-for-kubernetes-authorization/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/announcing-private-azure-marketplace-in-public-preview/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-kubernetes-service-mutate-default-storage-class-feature/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/redis-enterprise-features-on-azure-cache-for-redis-coming-soon/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/ga-aks-support-for-new-base-image-ubuntu-1804/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/ga-policy-addon-for-azure-kubernetes-service/    

Principal Program Manager Scott Stanfield, takes us into the world of Autonomous Systems, Robots and Mechanical Engineering Design and explains how Azure is supporting the development and manufacturing cycle for these systems. Fascinating discussion! Resources: https://aka.ms/moab Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode346.mp3   Other updates: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-private-link-service-is-now-generally-available-in-china/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-pipelines-announce-the-general-availability-of-scaleset-agents/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-blob-storage-object-replication-is-now-generally-available/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/iot-hub-tls-certificate-update/  

Cale, Cynthia, Evan, Kendall, and Sujit chat with Michael Zoller from Barracuda Networks about software defined wide area network and how it was built on Azure.   Media File: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode345.mp3 Resources: Simplify financial reporting with cost allocation—now in preview https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/simplify-financial-reporting-with-cost-allocation-now-in-preview/ View your Azure Cache for Redis data in new Visual Studio Code extension https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/view-your-azure-cache-for-redis-data-in-new-visual-studio-code-extension/ Automatic VM guest patching is now in public preview   https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/automatic-vm-guest-patching-now-in-preview/ Azure Marketplace: CloudGen WAN Service: https://azuremarketplace.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/apps/barracudanetworks.barracuda_cloudgenwan?tab=Overview   Blog post CloudGen WAN: https://blog.barracuda.com/2020/07/16/what-is-barracuda-cloudgen-wan/   Barracuda CloudGen WAN Announcement: https://www.barracuda.com/news/article/810#.X1oEvYtS-Co   Barracuda main website: https://www.barracuda.com/products/cloudgenwan?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=40855   Blog Post Microsoft: Yousef Khalidi Corporate Vice President, Azure Networking https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/running-sdwan-virtual-appliances-natively-in-azure-virtual-wan/   NVA-in-the-hub Announcement: https://www.microsoft.com/azure/partners/videos/azure-networking-services   Barracuda Campus: technical documentation for CloudGen WAN https://campus.barracuda.com/product/cloudgenwan/doc/91980633/overview  

Ashish Chhabria, a Program Manager in the Azure Messaging team, talks to us about the newly added support for JMS 2.0 in Service Bus. He discusses the ease at which existing Java applications can modernize by using Service Bus in Azure with no code changes. Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode344.mp3 Resources:  Azure Service Bus performance benchmarking - https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Service-Bus-blog/Premium-Messaging-How-fast-is-it/ba-p/370722 Service Bus JMS 2.0 Azure announcement - https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-preview-of-java-message-service-2-over-amqp-on-azure-service-bus/ How to use JMS 2.0 with Azure Service Bus - detailed guide - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/service-bus-messaging/how-to-use-java-message-service-20 Detailed migration guide from Active MQ to Azure Service Bus - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/service-bus-messaging/migrate-jms-activemq-to-servicebus   Other updates: Connector for AWS in Azure Cost Management + Billing is now generally available https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/connector-for-aws-in-azure-cost-management-billing-is-now-generally-available/   Prepare and certify your devices for IoT Plug and Play https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/prepare-and-certify-your-devices-for-iot-plug-and-play/     Durable functions release  Private link for azure cache for redis

Dr. Reshmi Yandapalli, a Principal Program Manager in the Azure Networking group, helps us understand the Virtual WAN service. She provides an overview of Virtual WAN and gives use-cases when it should be considered.   Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode343.mp3 Resources: Virtual WAN New Pricing Changes & Concepts  Virtual WAN Routing Concepts  How to configure routing  Virtual WAN Routing Scenarios  Virtual WAN Effective Routes  Virtual WAN User VPN DNS configuration How-to  FQDN Based Site Connectivity  Custom BGP IP/APIPA Configuration  Virtual WAN overview  Virtual WAN FAQ  Virtual WAN CPE Partners  Azure Firewall in Virtual WAN   Other Recent helpful documentation updates Virtual WAN Monitoring  Virtual WAN Global Transit Architecture  SD-WAN Connectivity Architecture with Virtual WAN  Migrate to Virtual WAN  Leverage Virtual WAN for remote connectivity  Blog for Remote user efficiencies with Azure Virtual WAN  Multiple ISP and Azure path selection with Virtual WAN  ExpressRoute Encryption  Connect Virtual Network Gateway VPN with Virtual WAN   Other updates: Advancing the outage experience—automation, communication, and transparency https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/advancing-the-outage-experience-automation-communication-and-transparency/ Build resilient applications with Kubernetes on Azure https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/build-resilient-applications-with-kubernetes-on-azure/   PowerShell support in Durable Functions is in public preview https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/powershell-support-in-durable-functions-is-in-public-preview/   Serverless offer for Azure Cosmos DB now in preview https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/serverless-offer-for-azure-cosmos-db-now-in-public-preview/   Public preview: CSI storage driver support in Azure Kubernetes Service https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/public-preview-csi-storage-driver-support-in-azure-kubernetes-service/   Azure Data Share in-place sharing for Azure Data Explorer now generally available   https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-data-share-inplace-sharing-for-azure-data-explorer-now-generally-available/

We had a chance to talk with Ines Khelifi, the Principal PM Manager for Azure Digital Twins on the different use cases she has seen, the latest preview, and how Azure Digital Twins can be utilized in the times of COVID-19. Media File: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode342.mp3 Resources: Azure Digital Twins Public Preview announcement blog - https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/azure-digital-twins-powering-the-next-generation-of-iot-connected-solutions/  Azure Digital Twins product page: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/digital-twins/ for product overview, details about customer & partner stories, technical deep dive videos and more. Azure Digital Twins documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/digital-twins/ for getting started with tutorials, samples and more. Other Updates: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/blobs/storage-lifecycle-management-concepts?tabs=azure-portal   Azure Advisor Quick Fix is now available Published date: August 05, 2020 Azure Advisors new Quick Fix feature makes optimization at scale faster and easier by allowing users to remediate recommendations for multiple resources simultaneously and with only a few clicks. Users can now multi-select resources to take the recommended Advisor actions on all selected resources as a bulk operation instead of having to remediate each resource individually. Quick Fix also creates a consistent, streamlined, and more automated experience for Advisor recommendation remediation. At launch, Quick Fix is enabled for a subset of Advisor recommendations in the Azure portal, with more on the way. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-advisor-quick-fix-is-now-available/   New Azure SQL Learning Tools help reduce the global technology skills gap https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/new-azure-sql-learning-tools-help-reduce-the-global-technology-skills-gap/   The Azure Cloud Shell tools image is now open sourced Published date: August 10, 2020 Azure Cloud Shell is a browser-based, authenticated shell experience to manage your cloud resources.  The Cloud Shell experience contains common command line tools to manage resources across both Azure and M365, and can now be found on GitHub. You can now file issues or pull requests directly to the tools image, and any changes that occur there will be reflected in the next release of Cloud Shell.  You can use this container image in other management scenarios, with many tools already installed and updated regularly, removing the concern about updating your cloud management tools.  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/cloudshell-github/   Encryption of backup data using customer managed keys is in public preview Published date: August 12, 2020 When backing up your Azure Virtual Machines, you can now encrypt your data using keys owned and managed by you. Azure Backup lets you use your RSA keys stored in the Azure Key Vault for encrypting your backups. The encryption key used for encrypting backups may be different from the one used for the source. The data is protected using an AES 256 based data encryption key (DEK), which is, in turn, protected using your keys stored in the Key Vault. This gives you full control over the data and the keys. This feature is in public preview for new vaults in all Azure regions. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/encryption-of-backup-data-using-customer-managed-keys-is-in-public-preview/  

Microsoft Senior Cloud Solutions Architect, Levi Romandine, shares his experiences working with Hi-tech customers in Silicon Valley. He explains the role of the CSA and talks about some of the challenges these customers encounter when moving to Azure. Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode341.mp3   Other updates: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/creating-cloud-ready-environments-with-azure-landing-zones/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-hdinsight-now-supports-virtual-network-service-endpoint-policies/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/nfs-30-support-for-azure-blob-storage-is-now-in-preview/

Azure has a number of top-notch messaging services in Event Grid, Event Hubs, Service Bus, IoT Hub, Relay etc. It can be confusing at times as to which one is the right one for the job. Luckily for us we have the expert in the field, Principal Azure Architect Clemens Vasters, to help us sort through the various options. He gives is very clear guidance on which service should be used for various use-cases in this very insightful episode. Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode340.mp3   Other updates: Migrate to the cloud with confidence https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/migrate-to-the-cloud-with-confidence/ MS Inspire! https://myinspire.microsoft.com/