10 Azure IaaS Interview Questions and Answers

Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a critical component of Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, offering scalable and flexible computing resources. It enables businesses to deploy and manage virtual machines, storage, and networks, providing a robust foundation for various applications and services. Azure IaaS is particularly valued for its ability to support hybrid cloud environments, integrate seamlessly with existing on-premises infrastructure, and offer advanced security features.

This article presents a curated selection of interview questions designed to test your knowledge and proficiency in Azure IaaS. By reviewing these questions and their detailed answers, you will gain a deeper understanding of key concepts and best practices, enhancing your readiness for technical interviews and positioning yourself as a strong candidate in the competitive job market.

Azure IaaS Interview Questions and Answers

1. Describe the steps to create and configure a Virtual Machine in Azure.

To create and configure a Virtual Machine in Azure, follow these steps:

• Sign in to Azure Portal: Access the Azure portal using your credentials.
• Create a Resource Group: Resource groups are logical containers for resources deployed in Azure. You can create a new resource group or use an existing one.
• Create a Virtual Machine: Navigate to the “Virtual Machines” section and click on “Add” to create a new VM. Specify details such as the VM name, region, availability options, image (OS), size, and authentication type (SSH key or password).
• Configure Networking: Set up the virtual network, subnet, public IP address, and network security group (NSG) to control traffic.
• Set Up Storage: Choose the OS disk type (Standard HDD, Standard SSD, or Premium SSD) and configure any additional data disks if required.
• Review and Create: Review all configurations and click on “Create” to deploy the VM. Azure will validate the settings and start the deployment process.
• Post-Deployment Configuration: Once the VM is deployed, further configure it by installing necessary software, setting up monitoring, and configuring backup options.

2. What are the different types of storage options available in Azure, and when would you use each?

Azure offers several storage options, each designed for different needs:

• Azure Blob Storage: Ideal for storing large amounts of unstructured data, such as text or binary data. Use cases include serving images or documents, storing files for distributed access, and streaming media.
• Azure File Storage: Provides managed file shares accessible via the SMB protocol. Suitable for sharing files across multiple VMs or on-premises systems, lift-and-shift migrations, and application data storage.
• Azure Queue Storage: Designed for storing large numbers of messages for asynchronous communication between application components. Use cases include task scheduling and message queuing for background processing.
• Azure Table Storage: A NoSQL key-value store for rapid development using massive semi-structured datasets. Ideal for applications needing to store large amounts of structured data without a relational database.
• Azure Disk Storage: Provides high-performance, durable block storage for Azure VMs. Suitable for applications requiring consistent and low-latency data access, such as databases and enterprise applications.

3. Describe the process of setting up a disaster recovery plan using Azure Site Recovery.

Setting up a disaster recovery plan using Azure Site Recovery involves:

1. Prepare the Source Environment: Ensure the source environment is ready for replication by installing necessary agents and meeting prerequisites.

2. Create a Recovery Services Vault: In the Azure portal, create a vault to store replication data and manage the recovery process.

3. Configure Replication: Set up replication for source VMs or physical servers by selecting source and target locations and enabling replication.

4. Set Up Replication Policies: Define policies specifying recovery point and time objectives, determining data replication frequency and recovery point retention.

5. Test the Disaster Recovery Plan: Perform a test failover to ensure the plan works as expected without affecting production.

6. Monitor and Maintain: Continuously monitor replication status and health, regularly updating and testing the plan.

4. What tools and services does Azure provide for monitoring and diagnostics of IaaS resources?

Azure provides tools and services for monitoring and diagnostics of IaaS resources:

• Azure Monitor: A unified solution for full-stack monitoring, advanced analytics, and insights, collecting telemetry data from various resources.
• Azure Log Analytics: Allows querying and analyzing log data from multiple sources for deep insights.
• Azure Application Insights: Monitors live applications, providing performance and usage data to detect and diagnose issues.
• Azure Network Watcher: Offers network performance monitoring and diagnostics tools.
• Azure Security Center: Provides security management and threat protection across hybrid cloud workloads.
• Azure Advisor: Offers best practices and recommendations to optimize deployments for availability, security, performance, and cost.
• Azure Service Health: Provides alerts and guidance during Azure service issues, helping maintain resource operations.

5. How can you integrate on-premises infrastructure with Azure to create a hybrid cloud solution?

Integrating on-premises infrastructure with Azure for a hybrid cloud solution involves:

• VPN Gateway: Establishes secure site-to-site VPN connections between on-premises networks and Azure.
• Azure ExpressRoute: Provides a dedicated, private connection between on-premises infrastructure and Azure for enhanced security and performance.
• Azure Site Recovery: Replicates on-premises workloads to Azure for disaster recovery and migration scenarios.
• Azure Active Directory (Azure AD): Integrates with on-premises Active Directory for single sign-on and unified identity management.
• Azure Arc: Extends Azure management and governance capabilities to on-premises, multi-cloud, and edge environments.
• Azure File Sync: Centralizes file shares in Azure while maintaining on-premises file server flexibility and performance.

6. Explain the role of Network Security Groups (NSGs) and Application Gateways in Azure networking.

Network Security Groups (NSGs) control traffic to network interfaces, VMs, and subnets, acting as a virtual firewall. Application Gateways manage web traffic, offering routing capabilities and a Web Application Firewall for protection against vulnerabilities.

7. How do you manage identities and access in Azure IaaS?

Managing identities and access in Azure IaaS involves:

• Azure Active Directory (Azure AD): Provides a platform for managing user identities and controlling access, supporting single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and conditional access policies.
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Manages access to resources by assigning roles to users, groups, and applications, ensuring only authorized actions.
• Managed Identities for Azure Resources: Provides an automatically managed identity for applications to use when connecting to resources, enhancing security.
• Network Security Groups (NSGs) and Azure Firewall: Control traffic to Azure resources, ensuring only authorized access.
• Azure Policy and Blueprints: Enforce standards and assess compliance, enabling repeatable resource deployment adhering to organizational requirements.

8. What are the best practices for implementing backup solutions in Azure IaaS?

When implementing backup solutions in Azure IaaS, follow these best practices:

• Use Azure Backup Service: A scalable solution for backing up VMs, SQL databases, and other resources.
• Automate Backup Processes: Use Azure Automation or Logic Apps to schedule regular backups.
• Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Control who can perform backup and restore operations.
• Encrypt Backup Data: Ensure backup data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
• Monitor Backup Jobs: Use Azure Monitor and Backup Reports to track backup status and receive alerts for issues.
• Test Restore Procedures: Periodically test restore procedures to ensure data recovery capability.
• Use Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS): Store backups in GRS for protection against regional outages.
• Retention Policies: Implement retention policies to align with business requirements and manage storage costs.

9. What techniques can be used for cost optimization in Azure IaaS?

Cost optimization in Azure IaaS involves:

• Right-Sizing Resources: Adjust resource sizes to match workload requirements, avoiding over-provisioning.
• Reserved Instances: Purchase reserved instances for predictable workloads to save costs.
• Auto-Scaling: Automatically adjust running instances based on demand.
• Azure Cost Management and Billing: Monitor and analyze spending, setting budgets and alerts for optimization.
• Spot Instances: Use spot instances for non-critical workloads at a lower cost.
• Shut Down Unused Resources: Regularly audit and shut down unused resources.
• Optimize Storage Costs: Choose appropriate storage tiers for data, using cool or archive storage for infrequent access.
• Leverage Hybrid Benefits: Use existing on-premises licenses to reduce VM costs in Azure.

10. How do you ensure compliance and governance for resources in Azure IaaS?

Ensuring compliance and governance for resources in Azure IaaS involves:

– Azure Policy: Create, assign, and manage policies to enforce rules and effects over resources, ensuring compliance with standards and agreements.

– Azure Blueprints: Define repeatable resource sets adhering to organizational standards, patterns, and requirements.

– Azure Security Center: Provides security management and threat protection, assessing security state and offering recommendations.

– Azure Cost Management and Billing: Monitor and control spending, maintaining financial governance over resources.