Cloud Migration Mindset

Configure Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Templates For Automated Deployments

Azure Resource Manager is a great Microsoft tool for automation of many tasks — including deployments. As we move forward in the new age of Information Technology; one of the key tools to keep refining is automation of tasks.

Several steps are required to configure Azure Resource Manager (ARM), templates, for automated deployments. The following is a step by step guide to assist you in the process.

Step 1: Understand ARM templates

  • Concept is a JSON file that defines the infrastructure and settings for Azure solutions.
  • Structure: Familiarize you with the major sections, including $schema.

Step 2: Install Tools

  • Azure CLI Download and install the Azure Command-Line Interface, or CLI, to manage Azure Resources from your local computer or cloud shell.
  • Visual Studio is a recommended editor, with Azure extensions such as JSON Validation and Syntax Highlighting.

Step 3 – Create a new ARM template

  • Creation of a File : Create a JSON file. (e.g. templates.json).
  • Schema Declaration : Start the file with a Schema Declaration.

json

 "$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-04-01/deploymentTemplate.json#", "contentVersion": "1.0.0.0", ...

Step 4 – Define Parameters

  • The Parameters section allows you to specify parameters for customizing the deployment. This allows for flexibility without hardcoding of values.

json 

"parameters": { "location": { "type": "string", "defaultValue": "[resourceGroup().location]", "metadata": { "description": "The location to deploy the resources." } }, ... }

Step 5 – Define Resources

  • Resources Section This is the place where you declare which resources you want, such as virtual machine, storage accounts, and so on.

json 

"resources": [  "type": "Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines", "apiVersion": "2021-07-01", "name": "[parameters('vmName')]", "location": "[parameters('location')]", ... , ... ]

Step 6 – Define the Outputs

  • Outputs If you would like to return values, such as IP addresses after deployment, then define them in this section.

json 

"outputs":  "adminUsername":  "type": "string", "value": "[parameters('adminUsername')]"

Step 7: Validate Template

  • Validate ARM templates using Azure CLI, PowerShell or Azure.

bash 

az deployment group validate --resource-group --template-file template.json

Step 8 – Deploy the template

  • Azure Portal and Azure CLI are both options for deploying the ARM Template.

Bash 

az deployment group create --resource-group  --template-file template.json --parameters .json

Step 9: Review and Monitor Deployment

  • Verify the creation of resources by using CLI commands or the Azure Portal.

Step 10 Update and maintain the template

As your requirements change, you can edit the ARM Template to add new resources or update existing ones, and then redeploy them as necessary.

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