Overview of Azure Compute Services
This content is from the lesson "2.2 Azure Compute Services" in our comprehensive course.
View full course: [AZ-900] Azure Fundamentals Study Notes
Azure compute services provide the processing power for applications and workloads in the cloud.
From traditional virtual machines to modern serverless functions, Azure offers a complete spectrum of compute options to match different application needs, scaling requirements, and management preferences.
_____
Definition:
- Azure compute services deliver on-demand computing resources and processing power for running applications, from infrastructure-level virtual machines to fully managed platform services.
- These services enable organizations to run everything from simple web applications to complex enterprise workloads without managing physical hardware.

_____
How It Works & Core Attributes (Compute Service Categories):
Azure provides multiple compute options, each optimized for different scenarios and offering varying levels of control and management:
Azure Virtual Machines (VMs):
- Focus: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) offering that provides complete control over the operating system and applications.
- Key Features: Full OS control, custom configurations, support for Windows and Linux, multiple VM sizes and types.
- VM Options: General purpose (B, D, F series), compute optimized (F series), memory optimized (E, M series), storage optimized (L series).
- Use Cases: Legacy application migration, custom software requirements, development and testing, applications requiring specific OS configurations.
- Management: You manage OS updates, security patches, application installation, and maintenance.
- Think: Do you need complete control over the operating system and want to manage the entire software stack?
Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets:
- Focus: Managed service for deploying and managing identical VMs that automatically scale based on demand or schedule.
- Key Features: Automatic scaling, load distribution, integrated load balancer, rolling updates.
- Benefits: Handle thousands of VMs, automatic fault tolerance, consistent deployments, cost optimization through scaling.
- Use Cases: Web applications with variable traffic, batch processing, microservices architectures.
- Think: Do you need multiple identical VMs that can automatically increase or decrease based on demand?

Availability Sets:
- Focus: Logical grouping of VMs that ensures high availability by distributing them across multiple fault and update domains.
- Key Features: Protection from hardware failures, planned maintenance isolation, 99.95% SLA.
- Benefits: Reduced downtime, improved application availability, protection from datacenter issues.
- Use Cases: Critical applications requiring high availability, database clusters, application tiers.
- Think: How can you protect your VMs from hardware failures and planned maintenance?
Azure Virtual Desktop:
- Focus: Desktop-as-a-Service solution that provides Windows desktops and applications accessible from anywhere.
- Key Features: Multi-session Windows 11/10, application virtualization, centralized management, security controls.
- Benefits: Remote work enablement, centralized desktop management, enhanced security, cost optimization.
- Use Cases: Remote workforce, contractor access, legacy application access, BYOD scenarios.
- Think: Do you need to provide secure desktop access to users from any device or location?

__
Container Services:
Azure Container Instances (ACI):
- Focus: Serverless container hosting that runs containers without managing underlying infrastructure.
- Key Features: Fast startup, per-second billing, easy integration, support for Linux and Windows containers.
- Benefits: No VM management, simple deployment, quick scaling, cost-effective for short-running workloads.
- Use Cases: Event-driven processing, development and testing, batch jobs, microservices.
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS):
- Focus: Managed Kubernetes orchestration service for deploying and managing containerized applications at scale.
- Key Features: Automated updates, scaling, monitoring, integrated CI/CD, security management.
- Benefits: Simplified Kubernetes management, enterprise-grade security, integrated Azure services.
- Use Cases: Microservices architectures, DevOps pipelines, cloud-native applications, container orchestration.
- Think: Do you need to run containers at scale with sophisticated orchestration and management?
__
Serverless Computing:
Azure Functions:
- Focus: Event-driven, serverless compute service that runs code in response to triggers without managing infrastructure.
- Key Features: Multiple programming languages, automatic scaling, pay-per-execution, event triggers.
- Triggers: HTTP requests, timers, database changes, message queues, file uploads.
- Benefits: No server management, automatic scaling, cost efficiency, rapid development.
- Use Cases: API backends, data processing, scheduled tasks, IoT data processing, integration scenarios.
- Think: Do you have code that should run only when specific events occur, without maintaining servers?

__
Platform Services:
Azure App Service:
- Focus: Platform-as-a-Service for hosting web applications, APIs, and mobile backends with built-in scaling and management.
- Key Features: Multiple programming languages, automatic scaling, continuous deployment, custom domains.
- App Types: Web apps, API apps, mobile app backends, function apps.
- Benefits: Simplified deployment, automatic updates, integrated monitoring, DevOps integration.
- Use Cases: Web applications, REST APIs, mobile backends, business applications.
- Think: Do you want to focus on application code without managing the underlying platform?
Azure Batch:
- Focus: Managed service for running large-scale parallel and batch computing workloads efficiently.
- Key Features: Automatic VM provisioning, job scheduling, parallel processing, cost optimization.
- Benefits: Handle massive workloads, automatic resource management, pay only for compute used.
- Use Cases: Data analysis, rendering, scientific computing, financial modeling, machine learning training.
- Think: Do you need to process large amounts of data or run computationally intensive tasks?
__
Compute Resource Requirements:
VM Sizing and Configuration:
- CPU: Different VM series optimized for compute, memory, storage, or general-purpose workloads
- Memory: From 1 GB to several terabytes depending on workload requirements
- Storage: Managed disks with different performance tiers (Standard HDD, Standard SSD, Premium SSD)
- Networking: Virtual networks, public IPs, load balancers, network security groups
_____
Analogy: Transportation and Logistics Services
Azure compute services work like different transportation options for moving people and goods, each optimized for specific needs and scenarios.
Virtual Machines (Rental Trucks):
- You rent entire trucks and drive them yourself with complete control over the cargo and route
- You're responsible for loading, driving, maintenance, and following traffic rules
- Perfect when you need specific configurations or want complete control over the journey
Container Services (Shipping Containers):
- Your goods are packaged in standardized containers that can be moved by different transportation methods
- Container Instances: Like calling a courier to pick up a single container when needed
- Kubernetes Service: Like a sophisticated logistics company managing hundreds of containers across multiple routes
Serverless Functions (Taxi/Rideshare):
- Transportation appears instantly when you need it and disappears when you're done
- You pay only for actual travel time, no waiting or idle costs
- Perfect for short, specific trips without planning or management overhead
App Service (Bus Service):
- Regular, reliable service that handles the route planning and vehicle maintenance
- You just show up with your passengers (application code) and the service handles everything else
- Great for routine transportation needs with predictable patterns
Virtual Desktop (Mobile Office):
- A fully equipped office space that travels with you wherever you go
- Access your complete work environment from any location with the same tools and security
_____
Common Applications:
- Web Applications: App Service for modern web apps, VMs for legacy applications requiring specific configurations.
- Microservices: AKS for container orchestration, Functions for event-driven processing, Container Instances for simple services.
- Batch Processing: Azure Batch for large-scale data processing, Functions for lightweight processing tasks.
- Remote Work: Virtual Desktop for secure access to corporate applications and desktops.
- Development: VM Scale Sets for testing environments, Container Instances for development workloads.
_____
Quick Note: The "Right Compute for the Right Job"
- Choose compute services based on your control requirements, scaling needs, and management preferences.
- VMs provide maximum control but require more management, while serverless options offer convenience with less control.
- Many applications use multiple compute services - for example, a web app on App Service calling Functions for background processing.
TAGS
Want to learn more?
Check out these related courses to dive deeper into this topic

![[AZ-900] Azure Fundamentals Study Notes](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2F2oo9oqu3%2Fproduction%2Ff2d5cf8cec02c34313244b3b5e2367926372e96a-1920x1080.png%3Fw%3D400%26h%3D225&w=3840&q=75)
