Week2 module8 #40
Week2 module8 #40
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This is a great first hands-on Azure intro. You covered exactly the right early topics: logging into the portal, exploring Cloud Shell, running basic commands, and writing a Python script. I really like that you included links to official docs!
A few specific notes:
0.Names and numbers
Let's rename the file to 02_azure_intro.md. Also, right now the numbering starts at "2", and Sections are 2.1-2.8, I'm not sure if that's right. Maybe just number the sections according to the topics in the intro? I think 2.1 and 2.2 belong together (azure portal), so they could be 1 (1.1 and 1.2 maybe). And maybe bundle together the CLI topics into 2.1-2.4 or whatever? Just use your judgment on this, but the numbering seems off currently. Easy to fix this is a cosmetic thing. 💄
1. Intro to azure portal and logging in
Please put a screenshot. Have them log in with their CTD account that they have been sent (we will have to work this out obviously and fill in details of this later -- after this is merged should create a fake student email/account test all this out, take a screenshot -- just put a placeholder for a screenshot for now). I put some suggested changes below.
2. Logging in
It's great to include general info (mentioning logging in with work, school account) but for our students we want to be super practical: they'll log in with the CTD Azure accounts we send them. Let's focus on "Here's your CTD login, let's go!" and emphasize how big a deal this is (they're now in a professional-grade cloud environment).
Also for Filesystem / CLI right now it's just a set of commands. We should add context: "This is like navigating your own computer, except now you're doing it in the cloud."
3. Azure CLI
Let's explain what az is and why it's special. Also warn that it's powerful -- some commands can create or delete resources. I put in a suggestion there to work from.
4. Cloud Shell Editor
This is a fantastic section very well done! That said, it needs a bit more scaffolding and explanation. What is the editor? Which of the three subwindows that opens is important? A screenshot will really help (in resources/ in the lesson dir). See comment on that section.
5. VS Code desktop
Why don't we transform this section into "other ways to work with Azure" as optional future exploration (including running VS Code IDE in the cloud itself). Just a simple paragraph (not just a bullet point list) that also mentions that there is also a web-based VS Code IDE, but it is still a bit buggy so we aren't going to push it. So let's cut this and transform this section into a discussion of other options for running code (from VS Code desktop, VS Code on web) for more adventurous students, potential future lessons or homework assignments.
8. Scaffolding/hype
My main generic suggestion is that for CTD students, who are brand-new to cloud computing, we need more narrative, explanation, and motivation. Think: "Here is this new thing we are doing, and why we are doing it, look how powerful this is!" rather than "Here are steps." Students don't just need commands, they need the why and the so what spelled out. A few well-selected screenshots and friendly prose (paragraphs instead of bullet-point lists) go a long way toward creating motivation and breaking monotony. I'll give some examples below with a few of the sections.
| ## **2.1 Introduction to the Azure Portal** | ||
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| ### **Overview** | ||
| The Azure Portal is a **web-based dashboard** for managing Azure services. It enables you to: | ||
| - Create and monitor resources (VMs, storage, databases). | ||
| - Configure networking and security. | ||
| - Manage subscriptions and billing. | ||
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| ### **Real-World Use Cases:** | ||
| - **Developers:** Deploy and scale applications. | ||
| - **IT Teams:** Manage identity, access, and security. | ||
| - **Businesses:** Ensure reliability, compliance, and scalability. | ||
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| 🔗 [Azure Portal Overview](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-portal/azure-portal-overview) |
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Great to include link to external resource!
| ## **2.1 Introduction to the Azure Portal** | ||
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| ### **Overview** | ||
| The Azure Portal is a **web-based dashboard** for managing Azure services. It enables you to: | ||
| - Create and monitor resources (VMs, storage, databases). | ||
| - Configure networking and security. | ||
| - Manage subscriptions and billing. | ||
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| ### **Real-World Use Cases:** | ||
| - **Developers:** Deploy and scale applications. | ||
| - **IT Teams:** Manage identity, access, and security. | ||
| - **Businesses:** Ensure reliability, compliance, and scalability. |
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2.1 Introduction to the Azure Portal
Before we dive into hands-on activities, let’s discuss the Azure Portal. Think of the portal as your "home base" in Azure. It’s a web-based dashboard where you can see and manage everything you create in the cloud. From here, you can spin up virtual machines, store data, manage security, and much more -- all from a single interface.
The portal is your window into a professional-grade cloud environment: it's the same interface that countless developers, IT teams, and businesses use every day.
What you can do in the portal
- Create and monitor resources (virtual machines, storage accounts, databases).
- Configure networking and security to control who and what can access your resources.
- Manage subscriptions and billing to see what resources are active and what they cost.
Real-world use cases:
- Developers use the portal to deploy and scale applications.
- IT teams use it to manage identity, access, and security.
- Businesses rely on it for reliability, compliance, and scalability.
Placeholder for screenshot of the Azure Portal home/dashboard --- Show the search bar, "Create a resource" button, and Cloud Shell icon in the header so students know what to expect.
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| ## **2.2 Logging in & Exploring the Portal** | ||
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Add some kind of motivating paragraph like:
Welcome to Azure! For the first time, you’ll be logging into your cloud platform. With your CTD Azure account, you now have access to a powerful set of tools to create and manage cloud resources.
| ### **Steps:** | ||
| 1. Open [https://portal.azure.com](https://portal.azure.com). | ||
| 2. Sign in with your Microsoft account (work, school, or sandbox). | ||
| 3. Explore the key UI areas: | ||
| - **Search bar** — Quickly find any service. | ||
| - **Create a resource** — Add new Azure resources. | ||
| - **Dashboard** — Customizable home page. | ||
| - **Cloud Shell icon** — Access Cloud Shell from the top menu. | ||
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| **Activity:** Search for *“Virtual Machine”* and open the service page. |
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Steps
- Go to https://portal.azure.com/
- Sign in with the CTD Azure account you’ve been given (check your email for login details and temporary password).
- Once you’re in, take a moment to look around. The Azure Portal is a huge dashboard with tons of options, but don’t worry -- you’ll learn them step by step.
Explore these key areas
- Search bar: Quickly find any service by typing its name.
- Create a resource : The big plus button where you add new things like VMs or databases.
- Dashboard: Your customizable home screen.
- Cloud Shell icon (>_): This is how you open a terminal in the cloud (we’ll use it in a minute).
Activity: Try searching for "Virtual Machine" in the search bar. You don’t need to create one yet -- just notice that you can instantly jump to any Azure service using the search function.
| ## **2.3 Getting Started with Cloud Shell** | ||
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| ### **Overview** | ||
| Azure Cloud Shell provides a browser-based command-line interface. | ||
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| ### **Steps:** | ||
| 1. Click the **Cloud Shell icon** in the portal header. | ||
| 2. Select **Bash** when prompted. | ||
| 3. Accept the prompt to create storage (saves your files) or continue without storage. | ||
| 4. Select your subscription from the drop-down. | ||
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| ### **Test the Environment:** | ||
| ```bash | ||
| az --version | ||
| python3 --version | ||
| ``` |
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2.3 Getting started with Cloud Shell
Let's spin up an Azure Cloud Shell, a browser-based command-line interface. This is a command-line environment you can open right inside your browser. Behind the scenes, Microsoft spins up a small virtual machine -- a computer in the cloud that will execute all of your commands.
Steps
- Click the Cloud Shell icon (>_) at the top of the Azure Portal.
- When asked, choose Bash (this is the Linux-style shell).
- If prompted, accept the option to create storage. This will save your files so they’re there next time you log in.
- Pick your subscription from the drop-down if asked.
Test the Environment:
Run a couple of simple commands to see which version of azure and python are in your environment:
az --version
python3 --versionIf both commands run, you’ve successfully launched a cloud terminal running both Azure CLI and Python. Congrats!
| **Outcome:** Students will be comfortable navigating and managing files within the cloud-based filesystem. | ||
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| **Outcome:** Students will be comfortable navigating and managing files within the cloud-based filesystem. | |
| Notice how familiar this feels if you’ve used the terminal before. The commands are the same -- but now you’re doing it all in the cloud. |
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| ## **2.5 Running Azure CLI Commands** | ||
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| The Azure command (`az`) is a command-line interface tool that lets you create, manage, and delete resources. Instead of clicking buttons in the portal, you can control everything by typing commands. | |
| ⚠️Beware that this gives you direct access to Azure resources. With one command you could start up a virtual machine, create a database, or even delete resources. That’s why we’ll start small and only run safe, read-only commands that don’t change anything. |
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| ## **2.6 Working with the Cloud Shell Editor** | ||
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| The Cloud Shell also comes with a built-in code editor, which feels like a lightweight version of VS Code right inside your browser. You can write and save scripts directly in the cloud -- no setup needed on your computer. |
| 2. Create a new Python file: | ||
| ```bash | ||
| touch hello_azure.py | ||
| code . |
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| code . | |
| code hello_azure.py |
| print("Files:", os.listdir(".")) | ||
| ``` | ||
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| 4. Save the file. |
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| 4. Save the file. | |
| 4. Save the file. Press Ctrl+S (Mac: Cmd+S). |
| ### **Steps:** | ||
| 1. Open the editor in Cloud Shell: | ||
| ```bash | ||
| code . |
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See my comments above (my comment number 4). This is a great central part of this whole lesson I love it! That said, we want to provide quite a bit more hand-holding with this. Drop in a screenshot, explain the screens that come up. Where are they entering the different bits of information, etc? Explain like they will have no idea what is going on. What are the different parts of the editor, etc?
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Added Week2 content for Azure Module