When you have your Servers Azure Arc enabled, you will work with Azure Arc extensions to work with Azure hybrid features like Defender for Cloud, Azure Monitor, Windows Admin Center and more. For each Azure Arc extension you can get updates, and it’s important to keep them up-to-date for new functionality and security. You have Azure Arc extensions for Windows Servers but also for Linux Servers.
Some of the Azure Arc extensions will automatic upgrade when you have enabled it and some must go manually from the Azure Portal.
More information about Azure Arc extensions you can find them here
In the next steps you will see the Update management of the Azure Arc enabled extensions :
Here I update one extension.
Inside the WindowsOsUpdateExtension
Here you can see that the WindowsOsUpdateExtension is up-to-date
and Status Succeeded
On the right of this screenshot you see Automatic Upgrade and some extensions are enabled, but some are not supported.
That’s why it’s important to check these updates.
Here you can see in the Status that two Azure Arc extensions are updating
And sometimes it failed to update.
But you can see what you can do best with this failed Status.
Here you see the error message and the Tips.
And when you can’t fix it yourself you can make a Support ticket right away.
Here you can see that all the Azure Arc extensions are updated successfully
So I selected all my Azure Arc enabled Servers and updated them all.
Conclusion
With Microsoft Azure Arc enabled Servers you have do some IT management to keep your Azure Arc extensions up-to-date.
I did this without rebooting Servers, just from the Azure Portal update Azure Arc extension.
Here you find more information about Microsoft Azure Arc for Azure Hybrid IT
In earlier MVPLABSerie blogpost I wrote about making your on-premises Servers hybrid with Azure Arc enabled Servers.
In my mvplab.local domain, there is a SQL 2022 Cluster running which also has the Azure Connected Machine Agent version 1.24.
One of the benefits of Azure Arc enabled Servers for SQL is that you can do on-demand SQL Health assessments on your SQL Environment in your On-premises Datacenter. In the following step-by-step guide we will prepare the SQL Cluster nodes.
Here you see that the Azure Connected Machine Agent already is installed.
But it will now add the SQL Extension.
Installation Completed Successfully.
Now we have two Azure Arc enabled SQL Servers connected.
Overview of SQL 2022 Node in Azure Arc.
You can see the Databases running.
Here you can set your Admin from Azure Active Directory.
But we want to do a SQL Assessment, but the Azure Monitoring Agent is still missing.
Here you see that the SQL extension is installed.
Now we will add the Azure Monitor Agent to my existing Log Analytics Workspace.
Click on Add
Select Log Analytics Agent – Azure Arc.
Add your Workspace ID
Add your Workspace Kay
Click on Review + Create
Validation Passed.
Azure Monitoring Agent is Installed.
From here you can do the On-Demand SQL Assessments via
Microsoft Azure Arc enabled SQL Servers.
The SQL Server Assessment focuses on several key pillars, including:
SQL Server configuration
Database design
Security
Performance
Always On
Cluster
Upgrade readiness
Error log analysis
Operational Excellence
Example of SQL Server Assessment results.
On each assessment result you get a recommendation from Microsoft so you can make your SQL environment Health and Secure!
Conclusion
To get these health results of your SQL environment is Awesome 🙂 You are in control of your Azure Hybrid Arc enabled SQL Servers to keep them Healthy and Secure. The following Azure Arc enabled SQL Server blogpost is about Azure Defender for Cloud for your SQL Servers. With these two Azure Arc for SQL Server features you get the best Insights to keep your data as save as possible.
Baseline security is very important to have that in place to keep your Servers more secure in your datacenter. You want Hybrid Servers like Azure Arc enabled servers for example to be secure running in your datacenter. This begins to secure and have up-to-date Server hardware running in your datacenter. Monitor for security updates and install Server hardware based on best practices from the vendor.
Then the Operating System like Windows Server 2022 standard needs the OS Baseline security. This is called:
When your Windows Servers are security compliant by the rules of the company and/or Security Officer, then we can have a look at the Well Architected Framework (WAF) for Azure Arc Enabled Servers. Here you find an
This security baseline applies guidance from the Microsoft cloud security benchmark version 1.0 to Azure Arc-enabled servers. The Microsoft cloud security benchmark provides recommendations on how you can secure your cloud solutions on Azure. The content is grouped by the security controls defined by the Microsoft cloud security benchmark and the related guidance applicable to Azure Arc-enabled servers.
When you have read about Azure Arc Well Architected Framework (WAF) and you have your security in place, we can start with Microsoft Azure Arc.
Before you start implementing Azure Arc, you must have seen this Awesome website of Azure Arc Jumpstart!
The Azure Arc Jumpstart is designed to provide a “zero to hero” experience so you can start working with Azure Arc right away!
The Jumpstart provides step-by-step guides for independent Azure Arc scenarios that incorporate as much automation as possible, detailed screenshots and code samples, and a rich and comprehensive experience while getting started with the Azure Arc platform.
Our goal is for you to have a working Azure Arc environment spun-up in no time so you can focus on the core values of the platform, regardless of where your infrastructure may be, either on-premises or in the cloud.
You can manage your compliance and security policies with Azure Arc enabled Servers, Kubernetes, or SQL Managed instances to make your hybrid solutions with
the Microsoft Azure Cloud in a secure environment. When you work with security by design based on OSI model with 7 security layers and use Microsoft Arc enabled servers, you get also more Azure Hybrid security features like Azure Defender for Cloud, and much more.
Don’t forget the Microsoft Azure Arc Community Monthly Meetup
Windows Dev Kit 2023 is an Arm-powered device built by Windows developers for Windows developers.Everything you need to develop Windows apps for Arm, on Arm. Powerful AI. All on one device.
In the following steps I will install some containers (Pods) on my Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes so I have some data to work with in my MVP LAB. I did that with Microsoft Visual Studio Code and with Helm predefined templates. Install the VSCode and install the Kubernetes extension, more information here
In the following steps we install DAPRand Redis on the Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes.
When you open your Kubernetes Cluster
Click then on Helm Repos
There you see Dapr repo.
Click on version 1.6.0.
Right click on version 1.6.0
Click on Install.
Dapr is installed by default on the Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes.
Type in Powershell : dapr status -k You will see the running pods of Dapr.
Dapr Dashboard is running Important: This is running in a test environment and is now http.
For production you have to make it save! Azure Arc Services and Azure Defender for Containers will help you with that.
But next to these security best practices from the software vendor, we also have Microsoft Azure Arc Security (Preview) on this kubernetes Cluster active. In the following steps you will see Security rules, Fixes and Azure Policies for Azure Arc Kubernetes to make your environment more secure and compliant.
Click on your Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes Cluster
This is my Dockkube. Click then on Security (preview)
Here you see that I don’t have Azure Policy active to be compliant
on my Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes Cluster.
A lot of security issues are managed by policies. Click on View Additional recommendations in Defender for Cloud
See Related recommendation (17)
Here you see all the dependent policies for your Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes Cluster.
Select your Azure Arc Enabled Kubernetes Cluster (Dockkube) Click on Fix
Confirm and click on Fix 1 resource.
Remediation in progress.
Remediation Successful.
It can take some minutes to see your resources in the Healthy state.
Just refresh 😉
In Azure Policy you will see how Compliant you are with your
Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes. Click on the ASC compliance.
Here you see the 10 Policies that are not Compliant.
Select a policy which is not compliant like here Kubernetes Cluster containers should only use allowed images Click on Details
Here you see the Component ID’s on my Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes Cluster
which are not compliant on this policy 😉 See the Tab bar, you are now on Component Compliance
Click on Policies tab
Dubbel click on the policy.
From here you can Assign the policy to your Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes Cluster.
A New example and you can see the Affected Components
on my Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes Cluster Dockkube.
Conclusion
When you work in a DevOps way with Kubernetes containers and microservices, you want them as secure as possible. With application security and best practices from the software vendors. Security monitoring and compliance are important to keep you in control and to keep your environment safe. With Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes you get Azure Defender for Containers and Azure policy for security compliance to your Kubernetes Cluster.
Important: This is still in preview and should not be used in production environment yet until Microsoft makes it General Available for the world. Now you can test it in your test environment like me in my MVPLAB.
Microsoft Azure Arc allows you to manage the following resource types hosted outside of Azure:
Servers: Manage Windows and Linux physical servers and virtual machines hosted outside of Azure.
Kubernetes clusters: Attach and configure Kubernetes clusters running anywhere, with multiple supported distributions.
Azure data services: Run Azure data services on-premises, at the edge, and in public clouds using Kubernetes and the infrastructure of your choice. SQL Managed Instance and PostgreSQL Hyperscale (preview) services are currently available.
SQL Server: Extend Azure services to SQL Server instances hosted outside of Azure.
I have a Kubernetes Cluster enabled with Azure Arc Services in my MVP LAB:
It’s Called Dockkube.
The Kubernetes Cluster is running on-premises and is enabled with Microsoft Azure Arc Services. With that said we get Azure Services available for management in the Cloud in a hybrid way. In the following step by step guide we activate Azure Monitor Insights for Containers on the Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes Cluster.
Container Insights Alerts / Actions on Azure Arc Enabled Kubernetes
Dockkube Insights
When you open Dockkube Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes, you will see on the left Monitoring Insights.
Then you have the options :
What’s New
Cluster
Nodes
Controllers
Containers.
Click on Containers, and you will see all the containers on the Azure Arc enabled kubernetes.
Then you have recommended Alerts (Preview) at the top, when you Click on it you will see all the predefined recommended alerts in preview. I have selected Node CPU % and Enabled the alert. With that you see on the above screenshot there is no action group assigned. That is the next step, click on No Action Group Assigned.
Click on Create a new action group.
Select the Azure Subscription, Resource group and give the
Action Group a name.
Click on Next: Notifications
Here you can select your type of Alert communication.
I have selected the option Email.
Setting the Name : Dock Kube Notify.
The next step you can select an action type :
Automation Runbook
Azure Function
Event Hub
ITSM
Logic App
Secure webhook
Webhook
In my MVP LAB, I don’t need an action but just a notification by email.
You can set a TAG here
Before you create the Alert rule with the action group, you get the option
to test the action group.
Click on Test Action Group.
Select a sample type.
I did Resource health alert
Click on Test.
The test is running.
I’m getting the Alert email in my box from Microsoft Azure.
Test is successful and click on Done.
Click on Create
Select the Action group for me is that DockKube CPU.
Click on Apply to Rule.
Now this Alert is active on my Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes 😉
When you go to Alert Rules, you will see the new Alert rule.
Here you can modify it if necessary.
For example, I want the severity from 3 Information to 2 Warning.
I made a severity 2 Warning.
Don’t forget to click on Save at the left top.
More Container Insights information on Microsoft docs :
Microsoft Azure Arc enabled kubernetes is Awesome for management in a hybrid way. I just showed you the power of Alert rules with action groups from the Azure Cloud to get Container Insights. Of course there are more Azure features for your Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes like Security (Preview) Kubernetes Resources, Policies, Gitops and more. Making your own dashboard with Container Insight information. Go for hybrid IT Management with Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes!
I’m working with Windows Admin Center every day to manage our datacenter and to mange my MVP LAB. When you have to install Windows Server Core
or Microsoft Azure Stack HCI Operating system, then Windows Admin Center is the right tool for you as an Administrator. You can use all the Server Manager tools via WAC
and you don’t have to work with Command-line tools only like CMD and PowerShell.
In my MVP LAB I have a Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Edition Hyper-V Host, and I like to make a Docker Host Server for my Containers.
With Windows Admin Center it’s easy to roll out a Docker host Server for your Containers.
In the following steps I will Install a Docker Host Server on Windows Server 2022.
Open Windows Admin Center and connect to your Server.
I Have Container Extension installed version 1.150.0
Click on Containers and Click on Install Windows Admin Center will Restart your Server for the Docker Installation!
Hang on while Docker Host will be Installed on Windows Server 2022.
Docker Host Installed Successfully.
Docker Host Container Overview Screen on Windows Server 2022.
From here you can Pull containers images to the Docker Host.
This is what I did but…..
Instead of pulling a Container Image you can also Create your Own Container Image.
Here I’m Pulling a ASP.NET Container Image from Microsoft.
Pulled Container Image Successfully.
The ASP.NET Container Image is now Available on the Docker Host.
Select the Container Image and Click on Run.
Give the Docker Container a name.
You can Manage the ports,
Hyper-V Isolation,
Memory,
CPU
And add addition Docker Run options,
Click on Run.
The ASP.NET Docker Container is running on Windows Server 2022.
When you Click on the running Container you will get options like :
Stats, Details, Logs, Console and Events.
When you Click on Console you will go remote by PowerShell to the Docker Host.
Here you got all the Docker commands 😉
And of course when you want to develop Containers as a developer you can use Microsoft Visual Studio Code as well.
(I’m using Visual Studio Code Insiders version in my MVP LAB)
Microsoft Azure Container Instances
Containers are becoming the preferred way to package, deploy, and manage cloud applications. Azure Container Instances offers the fastest and simplest way to run a container in Azure, without having to manage any virtual machines and without having to adopt a higher-level service.
Azure Container Instances is a great solution for any scenario that can operate in isolated containers, including simple applications, task automation, and build jobs. For scenarios where you need full container orchestration, including service discovery across multiple containers, automatic scaling, and coordinated application upgrades, we recommend Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
For my MVP LAB Azure Container Instances (ACI) is a great way to run Containers fast in the Cloud and have a overview with Windows Admin Center for :
Here you have a overview of your Azure Container Instances in Windows Admin Center.
In the following steps I will create an Azure Container Instance via the Microsoft Azure Portal and show it in Windows Admin Center. For this you need to integrate Windows Admin Center with your Microsoft Azure Subscription. This you can do in settings of WAC:
When you have your Azure Account active in Windows Admin Center, go to the Microsoft Azure Portal and search for Container instances.
Click on Create Container Instances
Here you set the basics of your Azure Container Instance
Here you set the following items for your Azure Container Instance (ACI) :
Select your Azure Subscription which is integrated with your Microsoft Windows Admin Center.
Select or Create the Resource Group for your Azure Container Instance.
Give your Container a name.
Select the Region in Microsoft Azure where you want your Azure Container Instance to run.
Availability zones to select.
Select your Image Source, I selected Quickstart images of Microsoft, but you can also select your own Container image.
Then select the size for vcpu, memory, gpus for your Azure Container Instance application.
Click on Next for Networking.
I Selected Public for testing but here you can select private too
with your own DNS name Label with the
right ports and protocols.
At Advanced settings you can configure additional container properties and variables
here you can TAG the Owner of the Azure Container Instance.
Click on Review + Create.
Now you can Click Create or Download the template for Automation.
Have a look at the Options here what you can do with the Template from here.
Microsoft Azure Container Instance is Deployed and running.
Nginx Container Instance is running on Azure.
Now we have the Microsoft Azure Container Instance with Nginx running in the Cloud, we can see that in Windows Admin Center.
Azure Container Instance in Windows Admin Center in running state.
When you don’t need it anymore you can end it here or in the Azure Portal.
Azure Container Instance is stopped by Windows Admin Center.
Run your Own Azure Container Instances from the ACR via
Windows Admin Center.
Manage Kubernetes Clusters and Containers with Windows Admin Center
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) on Azure Stack HCI is an on-premises implementation of Azure Kubernetes Service, which automates running containerized applications at scale. Azure Kubernetes Service is available on Azure Stack HCI, Windows Server 2019 Datacenter, and Windows Server 2022 Datacenter, making it quicker to get started hosting Linux and Windows containers in your datacenter. This is the High Available Container Solution on-premises from Microsoft, where you can run Containers and microservices in a isolated way in your datacenter with your DevOps Team. But you can also make your Azure Stack HCI Cluster hybrid with Azure integration and Azure Arc Services to benefit of Azure Hybrid Services.
Create your Own locally Azure Stack HCI Cluster with Azure Kubernetes Services
Conclusion
Microsoft product team of Windows Admin Center | Windows Server | Azure Stack HCI are working hard to make the Windows Admin Center Tool better and better to install and manage Container / microservices solutions. With Microsoft Azure extensions in Windows Admin Center and Azure Arc Services, Microsoft features from the Azure Cloud becomes available for your Containers like Azure Defender for Cloud with Container Insights, Azure Monitor, Azure App Services and much more.
Windows Admin Center is a Great Server Manager tool for your Windows Servers in your Datacenter. Especially when you use Windows Server Core or Azure Stack HCI.
Join Microsoft and the Community November 2–4, 2021 to explore the latest tools, training sessions, technical expertise, networking opportunities, and more. You can register here
Here you find some great MSIgnite guidance on Microsoft Tech Community :
Azure Monitor Insights for Monitoring your Containers.
In the last blogpost I wrote about Microsoft Azure Arc Services and how to connect a Docker for Desktop Kubernetes Cluster for testing your DevOps solution like Container Apps, Functions, App Services in a test environment. Here you find the Link to the Installation.
One of the Microsoft Azure Arc features is Azure Monitor Insights for monitoring your Kubernetes Cluster and the Containers.
Azure Arc Insights for Kubernetes Cluster anywhere
In the following step-by-step guide we will configure Azure Monitor Insights for your Kubernetes Cluster.
I Connected my Analytics Workspace CloudMVPLab.
Click on Configure.
Onboarding your Kubernetes Cluster will take some minutes.
After a while your Kubernetes Cluster Analytics data will show in Insights.
Here you see a navigation bar with the following topics
What’s New
Cluster
Reports
Nodes
Controllers
Containers.
Insights reports of the Kubernetes Cluster
Here you can Click on default reports of your Kubernetes Cluster.
Storage Capacity and Health Status report of your Kubernetes Cluster.
Storage Capacity more in Details.
Deployments Report of your Kubernetes Cluster.
Workload details Report of your Kubernetes Cluster.
Kubelet report of your Kubernetes Cluster
Data Usage of your Kubernetes Cluster
Data Usage
Insights the Nodes of the Kubernetes Cluster
Insights of the Nodes and on the right you can view Analytics.
Here you can work with Log Analytics on your Cluster.
Insights in Controllers of your Kubernetes Cluster
Insights of your Controllers
Insights Containers of your Kubernetes Cluster
Container Insights of your Kubernetes Cluster
Container Insights with Azure Log Analytics.
So with Azure Arc Enabled Kubernetes Clusters you can monitoring your Cluster and running Containers to keep you in Control on what is happening on the Cluster but also with your Container Apps and microservices. After this you can set Alerts and notifications when something is going wrong or offline. With this running you can start running your own App services, Containers or Azure functions on your Kubernetes Cluster.
This configuration with Docker for Desktop Kubernetes Cluster is for testing purpose only and can be used for your own DevOps solutions before you deploy on Production Ready Clusters. With Azure Arc Enabled Kubernetes Clusters you get the powerful Microsoft Azure Features and solutions in a secure way on your Kubernetes Cluster. I wish you lot of success with Azure Arc Enabled Kubernetes Clusters to make Awesome Apps and IT solutions for the Business 😉
I Hope everyone had a Great Microsoft Build 2021 Online Conference this week. Microsoft announced a lot of new features and Hybrid Cloud Solutions at Build 2021 🙂 If you missed this Awesome Build 2021 event, you can watch the highlights on demand here.
DevOps and developers are increasingly using microservices-based architectures with containerized applications for agility and flexibility. Azure Arc extends the single control plane from Azure to enable you to build apps consistently across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. With this information I was thinking, can I connect Microsoft Azure Arc Services to my Surface Book 3 with Windows 10 Preview Insiders Build 21390 and Docker for Windows with Kubernetes Cluster 1.19.7 active?
IMPORTANT: The following step-by-step guide is for testing purpose only.
Installing Docker for Windows with Kubernetes Cluster on Windows 10
First you need to have Docker for Windows 10.
System requirements
Your Windows machine must meet the following requirements to successfully install Docker Desktop.
WSL 2 backend
Hyper-V backend and Windows containers
WSL 2 backend
Windows 10 64-bit: Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education, version 1903 (Build 18362 or higher).
Enable the WSL 2 feature on Windows. For detailed instructions, refer to the Microsoft documentation.
The following hardware prerequisites are required to successfully run WSL 2 on Windows 10:
With docker desktop for Windows you can switch between Windows Containers and Linux Containers. When you want to have a Kubernetes Cluster on your Windows 10 device active you have to switch to Linux Containers in the taskbar like this :
It’s now active for Linux Containers. (Default)
Right Click on the Docker tray icon and go to Settings.
Then go to Kubernetes to enable your Cluster locally on your Windows 10 Device.
When you apply it take some minutes for the installation.
When you see the Kubernetes icon on green, then your Cluster is running.
When you do a lot of DevOps work you use Microsoft Visual Studio Code for Free, because here you can see your Kubernetes Cluster and try your own code or Apps.
Kubernetes Cluster is running locally on your Windows 10 device.
Installing Microsoft Azure Arc Agent
The next step is to install the Microsoft Azure Arc agent on your Windows 10 device.
Login in your Azure Subscription, if you don’t have one you can start here
Search for Azure Arc in your subscription.
Click on Servers and Click on Add.
Click on add a Single Server.
Click on Generate Script.
Prerequisites for the Azure Arc Agent.
Select your Azure Subscription and Resource Group
Choose your Region.
Operating System is Windows. ( your Windows10 device)
Click on Next.
More Features like Security, Monitoring, Automation :
Features for Kubernetes in Azure Arc Services.
Here you see in Visual Studio Code your Azure-Arc Helm Release.
Conclusion
“Learn how to write once and run anywhere using your preferred cloud-native application services. Ensure governance, compliance and security for your deployments, all through a single pane of glass management experience in Azure.”
With Microsoft Azure Arc Services you bring Azure Cloud Technology anywhere for your Apps, Containers, microservices.
I Hope this is a first start for exploring and testing your Hybrid Cloud solution. Wish you a lot of fun and happy coding 😉
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