Azure
Microsoft Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform, offering services for compute, storage, networking, databases, analytics, and artificial intelligence, deployed across Microsoft's global data centers.
Definition
Microsoft Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform, offering services for compute, storage, networking, databases, analytics, and artificial intelligence, deployed across Microsoft's global data centers.
Overview
Launched in 2010, Azure grew into the second-largest public cloud provider after AWS, with particular strength among enterprises already invested in Microsoft's ecosystem, including Windows Server and Active Directory. Its services include virtual machines, Azure App Service for web hosting, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) for container orchestration, and Azure OpenAI for enterprise access to OpenAI's models. Azure DevOps provides an integrated CI/CD, boards, and repos toolchain for teams building on the platform. Azure is commonly used to host applications built with ASP.NET Core, containerized workloads via Docker and Kubernetes, and hybrid-cloud scenarios connecting on-premises datacenters to the cloud.
Key Features
- Broad service catalog spanning compute, storage, databases, and AI/ML
- Deep integration with Windows Server, Active Directory, and .NET tooling
- Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) for managed container orchestration
- Azure OpenAI Service for enterprise access to OpenAI models
- Hybrid cloud support connecting on-premises infrastructure to Azure
- Global data center footprint with region-based compliance options
Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
From the Blog
AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud: Which to Learn?
A comprehensive guide to aws vs azure vs google cloud: which to learn? — written for learners at every level.
Read More Cloud & CybersecurityHow Azure Is Organised: Tenants, Subscriptions, Resource Groups
Azure's scope hierarchy — tenant, management group, subscription, resource group, resource — is what governs billing, policy inheritance and access. This guide explains each level, shows how permissions and policies flow down it, and helps you place resources so quotas, RBAC and governance work with you rather than against you.
Read More Cloud & CybersecurityUnderstanding Cloud Storage: S3, Blob, and Buckets
Object storage like S3 and Azure Blob stores files as objects in buckets, accessed over HTTP. Learn how it works, when to use it, and how to keep it secure.
Read More Certifications & GuidesAzure Certification Guide for Beginners in 2026
Beginners should start Azure certification with AZ-900 Fundamentals, then move to role-based Associate exams like AZ-104. Here is the full 2026 roadmap.
Read More