Microsoft Azure — 50 QnA

Microsoft Azure is a comprehensive cloud computing platform providing IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS services. It enables building, deploying, and managing applications across global data centers. Azure supports hybrid cloud integration with on-premises infrastructure. Key features include scalability, security, and AI/ML capabilities. Troubleshoot Azure issues using Azure Monitor, logs, and diagnostics tools. Azure's 2025 focus includes AI Foundry for streamlined AI app development. It powers over 500 million weekly active users via integrations like ChatGPT. Interviewers expect knowledge of Azure's service models and global regions.

Azure regions are geographic areas with data centers for service deployment. As of 2025, Azure spans 60+ regions worldwide for low-latency access. Regions ensure data residency compliance and disaster recovery options. Choose regions based on latency, cost, and regulatory requirements. Troubleshoot region-specific issues with Azure Status dashboard. Azure's availability zones within regions provide high availability. Monitor region health for outages or capacity constraints. Interviewers may ask about region selection and multi-region strategies.

Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) provide scalable compute resources for workloads. Support Windows/Linux OS with customizable sizes and storage options. Use for hosting applications, testing, or migration from on-premises. Scale VMs automatically with Azure Autoscale for demand fluctuations. Troubleshoot VMs using Serial Console, boot diagnostics, and Run Command. Secure VMs with NSGs, Azure Firewall, and endpoint protection. Integrate with Azure AD for identity management on VMs. Interviewers expect details on VM sizing, scaling, and security best practices.

Azure Storage offers blob, file, queue, and table services for data management. Blob storage handles unstructured data with hot/cool/archive tiers. Provides durability (11 9s), scalability, and global replication options. Use for backups, media files, or big data analytics. Troubleshoot storage issues with metrics, logs, and Azure Storage Explorer. Secure with shared access signatures, encryption, and RBAC. Integrate with Azure CDN for content delivery optimization. Interviewers may ask about storage tiers and redundancy options.

Azure App Service is a PaaS for hosting web apps, APIs, and mobile backends. Supports .NET, Java, Node.js, Python, and PHP runtimes. Enables CI/CD with GitHub, Azure DevOps integration. Scale apps automatically based on traffic or schedules. Troubleshoot with Kudu console, diagnostics, and application insights. Secure with managed identities and custom domains/SSL. Deploy serverless functions via Azure Functions for event-driven code. Interviewers expect knowledge of deployment slots and scaling plans.

Azure SQL Database is a managed relational database service. Provides serverless and provisioned compute options for scalability. Supports hyperscale for massive databases with auto-scaling storage. Use for mission-critical apps with built-in high availability. Troubleshoot with Query Performance Insights and automatic tuning. Secure with Always Encrypted, row-level security, and auditing. Integrate with Azure Purview for data governance. Interviewers may ask about DTU vs. vCore models and geo-replication.

Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed NoSQL database for multi-model data. Offers turnkey global distribution with low latency worldwide. Supports SQL, MongoDB, Cassandra APIs for flexibility. In 2025, integrates with Microsoft Fabric for AI workloads. Troubleshoot with metrics, query diagnostics, and data explorer. Secure with customer-managed keys and private endpoints. Scale throughput provisioned or serverless for variable loads. Interviewers expect details on RU consumption and partitioning strategies.

Azure AD (Entra ID) manages identities and access for Azure and apps. Supports SSO, MFA, and conditional access policies. Enables B2B/B2C for external users and hybrid sync with on-premises AD. In 2025, enhances with AI-driven threat detection. Troubleshoot with sign-in logs and audit reports. Secure with PIM for just-in-time privileged access. Integrate with SCIM for automated provisioning. Interviewers may ask about hybrid identity and security defaults.

AKS is managed Kubernetes for deploying containerized applications. Simplifies cluster management with auto-upgrades and scaling. Supports Windows/Linux nodes and GPU for AI workloads. Use Azure Policy for governance and monitoring. Troubleshoot with kubectl logs and Azure Monitor for containers. Secure with RBAC, network policies, and Azure AD integration. In 2025, optimizes for AI agents and serverless containers. Interviewers expect knowledge of node pools and ingress controllers.

Azure Functions is serverless compute for event-driven code execution. Triggers from HTTP, timers, queues, or blobs for scalable processing. Supports multiple languages with consumption or premium plans. Ideal for microservices or IoT backends. Troubleshoot with function logs and Application Insights. Secure with keys, managed identities, and VNet integration. In 2025, enhances with AI model inference triggers. Interviewers may ask about durable functions and cold start mitigation.

Azure Monitor collects metrics, logs, and traces for resource health. Provides alerts, dashboards, and AI-powered insights. Integrates with Log Analytics for querying and visualization. Use for proactive issue detection and performance optimization. Troubleshoot by setting up diagnostic settings and action groups. Secure with RBAC and data export to storage. In 2025, adds carbon emission tracking for sustainability. Interviewers expect details on Kusto queries and alert rules.

Azure Defender (Security Center) provides unified security management. Offers threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and compliance monitoring. Integrates with SIEM and supports multi-cloud environments. In 2025, leverages AI for advanced threat hunting. Troubleshoot with security recommendations and event timelines. Secure workloads with just-in-time VM access and secrets scanning. Monitor via workbooks and automated response playbooks. Interviewers may ask about secure score and regulatory compliance.

Azure DevOps is a SaaS platform for CI/CD, repos, and agile planning. Includes Boards, Repos, Pipelines, Test Plans, and Artifacts. Supports Git and TFVC for source control. In 2025, updates include enhanced AI-assisted coding. Troubleshoot pipelines with logs and variable groups. Secure with PATs, SSH keys, and service connections. Integrate with GitHub for hybrid workflows. Interviewers expect knowledge of YAML pipelines and multi-stage deployments.

Azure Migrate assesses, replicates, and modernizes on-premises workloads. Supports discovery, dependency visualization, and cost estimation. In 2025, adds carbon savings estimates for migrations. Use for VM, database, and web app assessments. Troubleshoot with agentless discovery and replication status. Secure with Azure AD authentication and private links. Integrate with Azure Database Migration Service. Interviewers may ask about assessment tools and cutover processes.

Azure AI Services provide pre-built APIs for vision, speech, and language. Includes Cognitive Services for easy AI integration. In 2025, Azure AI Foundry streamlines AI app development. Supports custom models with Azure Machine Learning. Troubleshoot with resource metrics and API keys. Secure with content filters and endpoint protection. Deploy serverless for scalable inference. Interviewers expect details on model deployment and ethical AI.

Azure ML is a platform for building, training, and deploying ML models. Supports AutoML, designer, and custom code workflows. In 2025, integrates o1 model for multimodal reasoning. Use managed endpoints for real-time inference. Troubleshoot with experiment tracking and model explainability. Secure with datastores, workspaces, and RBAC. Scale with GPU clusters for deep learning. Interviewers may ask about MLOps pipelines and responsible AI.

Microsoft Fabric is an end-to-end analytics platform unifying data tools. Includes lakehouse, data engineering, science, and real-time intelligence. In 2025, integrates Cosmos DB for AI data handling. Supports SQL analytics and Power BI for visualization. Troubleshoot with capacity metrics and workspace logs. Secure with Microsoft Purview for governance. Scale with pay-as-you-go or reserved capacity. Interviewers expect knowledge of OneLake and unified SKUs.

Azure Synapse is an integrated analytics service for big data and warehouses. Combines SQL, Spark, and serverless pools for hybrid workloads. In 2025, evolves into Fabric for unified experiences. Use for ETL, ML, and BI on petabyte-scale data. Troubleshoot with query store and pipeline monitoring. Secure with TDE, dynamic data masking, and IP firewalls. Integrate with Azure Data Factory for orchestration. Interviewers may ask about dedicated vs. serverless pools.

Azure Data Factory is a cloud ETL service for data integration. Supports hybrid data movement with 100+ connectors. Orchestrate pipelines with triggers and activities. In 2025, enhances with AI for pipeline optimization. Troubleshoot with debug mode and activity runs. Secure with managed identities and key vaults. Monitor with Azure Monitor integration. Interviewers expect details on mapping data flows and triggers.

Azure Logic Apps enable serverless workflows for app integration. Uses visual designer for connectors to SaaS and enterprise systems. Supports standard and consumption hosting models. In 2025, adds AI actions for intelligent automation. Troubleshoot with run history and diagnostic logs. Secure with SAS tokens and OAuth authentication. Scale with built-in retry and error handling. Interviewers may ask about triggers and custom connectors.

Azure API Management publishes, secures, and analyzes APIs centrally. Includes developer portal, policies, and analytics. Supports REST, SOAP, and GraphQL protocols. Troubleshoot with request tracing and metrics. Secure with subscriptions, JWT validation, and IP restrictions. In 2025, integrates with AI for API discovery. Scale with self-hosted gateways for on-premises. Interviewers expect knowledge of policy expressions and caching.

Azure Service Bus is a messaging service for reliable cloud communication. Supports queues, topics, and subscriptions for decoupling apps. Provides dead-letter queues and duplicate detection. Use for enterprise integration patterns. Troubleshoot with message traces and connection monitoring. Secure with shared access policies and private endpoints. Scale with partitioning for high throughput. Interviewers may ask about sessions and transactions.

Azure Event Grid is an event routing service for reactive programming. Supports pub/sub model with custom and Azure service topics. Enables event-driven architectures with filters and actions. In 2025, enhances for AI event processing. Troubleshoot with event schema validation and delivery metrics. Secure with event domains and access keys. Integrate with Functions and Logic Apps for handlers. Interviewers expect details on domains and retry policies.

Azure Event Hubs streams big data for real-time analytics. Captures millions of events per second with partitioning. Supports Kafka protocol for compatibility. Use for IoT, logs, and telemetry ingestion. Troubleshoot with capture and consumer group metrics. Secure with IP filtering and SAS tokens. Scale with auto-inflate for throughput. Interviewers may ask about throughput units and geo-disaster recovery.

Azure IoT Hub connects, monitors, and manages IoT devices at scale. Supports bidirectional communication and device twins. In 2025, integrates with AI for edge intelligence. Use for telemetry routing and OTA updates. Troubleshoot with device-to-cloud metrics and logs. Secure with X.509 certificates and symmetric keys. Scale with DPS for zero-touch provisioning. Interviewers expect knowledge of modules and direct methods.

Azure VPN Gateway enables secure hybrid connectivity via site-to-site or point-to-site VPNs. Supports IKEv2 and BGP for dynamic routing. Provides high bandwidth with active-active configurations. Troubleshoot with connection diagnostics and effective routes. Secure with Azure AD authentication and certificates. In 2025, optimizes for quantum-resistant encryption. Integrate with ExpressRoute for private peering. Interviewers may ask about gateway SKUs and forced tunneling.

Azure Firewall is a managed cloud network security service. Provides threat intelligence and application FQDN filtering. Supports central logging and high availability. Use for inbound/outbound traffic inspection. Troubleshoot with flow traces and alert rules. Secure with SNAT and DNAT policies. In 2025, adds AI-based threat detection. Interviewers expect details on hub-and-spoke topology.

Azure DDoS Protection Standard mitigates volumetric and protocol attacks. Uses ML for adaptive tuning and always-on telemetry. Protects VNets and public IPs automatically. In 2025, enhances with quantum-safe defenses. Troubleshoot with mitigation reports and metrics. Secure with traffic analytics integration. Scale across regions for global protection. Interviewers may ask about Standard vs. Basic tiers.

Azure Sentinel is cloud-native SIEM for threat detection and response. Uses AI for analytics rules and hunting queries. Integrates with Microsoft 365 and multi-cloud sources. In 2025, leverages o1 model for advanced investigations. Troubleshoot with entity behavior analytics. Secure with UEBA and playbook automation. Monitor with workbooks and fusion alerts. Interviewers expect knowledge of KQL queries and SOAR.

Azure Backup protects VMs, databases, and files with policy-based management. Supports vault-based storage with soft delete. In 2025, adds carbon-aware scheduling for sustainability. Use for long-term retention and point-in-time restore. Troubleshoot with job history and alert notifications. Secure with RBAC and encryption at rest. Integrate with Recovery Services vault. Interviewers may ask about retention policies and cross-region restore.

Azure Site Recovery replicates workloads for disaster recovery. Supports VM replication with test failovers. Provides RTO/RPO SLAs for business continuity. Troubleshoot with replication health and recovery plans. Secure with Azure AD and network isolation. In 2025, optimizes for AI workload recovery. Scale with multi-VM consistency groups. Interviewers expect details on failover types and re-protection.

Azure Cost Management analyzes and optimizes cloud spending. Provides budgets, forecasts, and recommendations. In 2025, integrates Copilot for AI-driven insights. Use for reservations and savings plans optimization. Troubleshoot with cost export and anomaly detection. Secure with RBAC for cost views. Monitor with advisor recommendations. Interviewers may ask about cost allocation tags and export schedules.

Azure Policy enforces compliance with resource configurations. Uses initiatives for built-in and custom rules. Audits, denies, or remediates non-compliant resources. In 2025, aligns with sovereignty baselines. Troubleshoot with compliance data and remediation tasks. Secure with exemptions and assignments. Integrate with Blueprints for governance. Interviewers expect knowledge of effects and parameters.

Azure Blueprints orchestrate policy and artifact deployment. Defines repeatable environments with templates and policies. Supports version control and assignment tracking. Use for regulatory compliance and standardization. Troubleshoot with deployment history and locks. Secure with RBAC in blueprint definitions. In 2025, enhances for sovereign cloud setups. Interviewers may ask about artifact types and publishing.

Azure Arc extends Azure management to on-premises and multi-cloud. Manages servers, Kubernetes, and databases hybridly. Provides consistent monitoring and governance. In 2025, supports quantum computing extensions. Troubleshoot with connected machine agents. Secure with Azure AD and just-in-time access. Scale for edge and IoT scenarios. Interviewers expect details on enabled services and extensions.

Azure Stack delivers Azure services on-premises for hybrid cloud. Includes HCI, Edge, and Hub for consistent experiences. Supports disconnected operations for air-gapped environments. In 2025, focuses on sovereign data residency. Troubleshoot with admin portal and update manager. Secure with Azure AD and certificate auth. Integrate with Azure for hybrid management. Interviewers may ask about capacity models and updates.

Azure OpenAI provides access to GPT models for generative AI. Supports fine-tuning and content filtering. In 2025, includes o1 model for advanced reasoning. Use for chatbots, summarization, and code generation. Troubleshoot with quota management and embeddings. Secure with private endpoints and responsible AI. Deploy with provisioned throughput units. Interviewers expect knowledge of deployments and rate limits.

Azure AI Search indexes and queries enterprise data for AI apps. Supports semantic ranking and vector search. Integrates with Azure OpenAI for RAG patterns. In 2025, enhances multimodal search capabilities. Troubleshoot with index stats and query logs. Secure with API keys and managed identities. Scale with replicas and partitions. Interviewers may ask about skillsets and custom analyzers.

Azure Purview governs data across hybrid environments. Catalogs assets, scans metadata, and enforces classifications. Supports lineage and glossary for data discovery. In 2025, integrates with Fabric for unified governance. Troubleshoot with scan jobs and policy assignments. Secure with RBAC and sensitivity labels. Monitor with data map and insights. Interviewers expect details on data estate and stewardship.

Azure Quantum provides access to quantum hardware and simulators. Supports Q# language for quantum algorithms. In 2025, advances toward mainstream adoption with stability improvements. Use for optimization, chemistry, and cryptography. Troubleshoot with job queues and resource providers. Secure with Azure AD and credit management. Integrate with classical HPC for hybrid computing. Interviewers may ask about qubits and error correction.

Azure Sustainability tools track and reduce carbon emissions. Provides emissions data and optimization recommendations. In 2025, adds carbon-aware workload scheduling. Use Azure Migrate for migration savings estimates. Troubleshoot with API consumption and reports. Secure with role-based access to metrics. Align with ESG goals via dashboards. Interviewers expect knowledge of carbon intensity and offsets.

Azure Government hosts for US government with enhanced compliance. Isolated cloud with screened personnel and FedRAMP high. Supports classified workloads up to IL6. In 2025, aligns with Cloud for Sovereignty features. Troubleshoot with dedicated support and logging. Secure with CJIS and ITAR compliance. Regions in US for data sovereignty. Interviewers may ask about accreditation and access controls.

Cloud for Sovereignty ensures data residency and confidentiality. Uses SLZ for configurable sovereignty controls. In 2025 wave 1, expands policies for regulations. Supports confidential computing and encryption. Troubleshoot with baseline initiatives and audits. Secure with hardware-based protections. Align with GDPR and national requirements. Interviewers expect details on landing zones and baselines.

Azure ExpressRoute provides private connectivity to Azure datacenters. Bypasses internet for higher reliability and security. Supports 100 Gbps with multiple circuit options. In 2025, partners like Console Connect enhance global access. Troubleshoot with circuit metrics and peering status. Secure with MACsec encryption and BGP communities. Integrate with VPN for hybrid setups. Interviewers may ask about routing domains and bandwidth.

Azure CDN accelerates content delivery with edge caching. Partners with Akamai, Verizon for POPs worldwide. Supports dynamic site acceleration and compression. Use for media streaming and static assets. Troubleshoot with endpoint logs and purge operations. Secure with token auth and WAF integration. In 2025, optimizes for AI-generated content. Interviewers expect knowledge of profiles and origins.

Azure Container Instances runs containers without orchestration. Provides burst scale for dev/test or CI/CD jobs. Supports GPU and AKS integration. In 2025, enhances serverless container experiences. Troubleshoot with logs and resource utilization. Secure with VNet and managed identities. Deploy with YAML or REST APIs. Interviewers may ask about ACI vs. AKS differences.

Azure Batch runs large-scale parallel and HPC jobs. Manages pools of VMs for batch processing. Supports containers and multi-node tasks. Use for rendering, simulations, and genomics. Troubleshoot with task dependencies and auto-pool. Secure with batch accounts and keys. In 2025, integrates quantum for hybrid HPC. Interviewers expect details on job scheduling and scaling.

Azure Sphere secures IoT devices with MCU and OS. Uses cert-based auth and secure boot. In 2025, expands for connected devices with stickers. Protects against firmware attacks. Troubleshoot with device twins and telemetry. Secure with defense-in-depth model. Scale for retail and manufacturing. Interviewers may ask about guardian modules and updates.

Copilot in Azure uses AI for cost analysis and management. Provides natural language insights on spending. Generally available in 2025 for all customers. Integrates with Cost Management for recommendations. Troubleshoot with conversation history and exports. Secure with Azure AD and data isolation. Enhance productivity for cloud teams. Interviewers expect use cases for AI-assisted optimization.

Azure's 2025 trends include AI leadership with OpenAI exclusive IP. Quantum computing nears mainstream with improved stability. Sustainability focuses on carbon optimization and tracking. Multi-cloud and edge integration via Arc and Stack. Security embeds AI for threat response and compliance. Build 2025 announcements highlight AI Foundry and Fabric. Hybrid sovereignty with SLZ for regulated industries. Interviewers may probe AI ethics, quantum readiness, and green cloud.