What is Azure CLI? – A Complete Guide on Azure CLI 

Introduction:

Azure CLI (Command-Line Interface) is a powerful tool provided by Microsoft for managing and interacting with Azure resources. It allows developers and administrators to perform various tasks and operations on Azure cloud services through the command-line interface. With just a few commands, users can create, manage, and monitor their resources, making it easier to automate workflows and manage Azure resources efficiently.

What is Azure CLI?

Azure CLI, short for Azure Command-Line Interface, is a command-line tool developed by Microsoft for managing and interacting with Azure cloud resources. It provides users with a powerful and efficient way to work with Azure services and perform various tasks directly from the command prompt or terminal.
With Azure CLI, users can execute commands to create, configure, and manage Azure resources, such as virtual machines, storage accounts, databases, networking components, and more. The Azure CLI commands are based on the Azure Resource Manager (ARM) model, offering a unified and consistent approach to managing resources across Azure.

Why is Azure CLI Important?

Azure CLI (Azure Command-Line Interface) is essential for efficiently managing and interacting with Azure cloud resources. It offers a command-line interface for quick interactions, supports various platforms, and allows scripting for automation. With extensive service coverage, it integrates into DevOps pipelines and provides human-readable output, ensuring consistent resource management using standardized commands. Regular updates and improvements keep it up-to-date with the latest Azure features and services.

How to Install Azure CLI

To install Azure CLI, you can follow the steps below based on your operating system. However, it’s always a good idea to check the official Azure CLI documentation for the latest information.

Windows:

Prerequisites: Azure CLI requires Windows 7 or later.

Open a web browser and go to the official Azure CLI website: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/install-azure-cli-windows

Follow the instructions on the page to download the Azure CLI installer for Windows.

Begin your trip right away using Azure Portal!

The setup will be walked you through during the installation procedure. You may need to agree to the license terms and choose the installation location.

After the installation is complete, open the Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell, and you can start using Azure CLI commands.

macOS:

Prerequisites: Azure CLI requires macOS 10.13 or later.

Open a terminal on your macOS.

Run the following command to install Azure CLI using Homebrew, a popular package manager for macOS:

Code:

brew update && brew install azure-cli
The installation process will download and install Azure CLI along with any necessary dependencies.
Once the installation is complete, you can start using Azure CLI commands from the terminal.

Linux:

Prerequisites: Azure CLI supports various Linux distributions. Check the official Azure CLI documentation for specific distribution requirements.

Open a terminal on your Linux distribution.

Follow the instructions for your specific Linux distribution from the official Azure CLI documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/install-azure-cli-linux

Typically, you will use a package manager (e.g., apt, yum, zypper) to install Azure CLI.

After the installation is complete, you can start using Azure CLI commands from the terminal.

Verify the Installation:

After installation, you can verify if Azure CLI is correctly installed by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing the following command:
Code:
az –version

This command will display the installed version of Azure CLI, indicating that it’s ready for use.
Remember to check the official Azure CLI documentation for the latest information and any potential updates or changes to the installation process.

Azure CLI Commands List

Azure CLI provides a vast number of commands to interact with various Azure services and resources. Here is a list of some common and useful Azure CLI commands:

Login: az login – Sign in to your Azure account.

Set Default Subscription: az account set –subscription <subscription_id> – Set the default Azure subscription to use.

Create Resource Group: az group create –name <resource_group_name> –location <location> – Create a new resource group in the specified location.

List Resource Groups: az group list – View all resource groups in the current subscription.

Create Virtual Machine: az vm create – Create a virtual machine.

List Virtual Machines: az vm list – List all virtual machines in the current subscription.

Create Storage Account: az storage account create – Create a new Azure Storage account.

List Storage Accounts: az storage account list – View all Azure Storage accounts in the current subscription.

Create Network Security Group: az network nsg create – Create a new network security group.

List Network Security Groups: az network nsg list – List all network security groups in the current subscription.

Create Azure Web App: az webapp create – Create a new Azure Web App.

List Web Apps: az webapp list – List all Azure Web Apps in the current subscription.

Create Azure SQL Server: az sql server create – Create a new Azure SQL Server.

List SQL Servers: az sql server list – View all Azure SQL Servers in the current subscription.

Create Azure Cosmos DB Account: az cosmosdb create – Create a new Azure Cosmos DB account.

List Cosmos DB Accounts: az cosmosdb list – List all Azure Cosmos DB accounts in the current subscription.

Create Azure Function App: az functionapp create – Create a new Azure Function App.

List Function Apps: az functionapp list – List all Azure Function Apps in the current subscription.

Create Azure Container Registry: az acr create – Create a new Azure Container Registry.

List Container Registries: az acr list – View all Azure Container Registries in the current subscription.

Frequently Asked Interview Questions – Azure CLI

What is Azure CLI?

Azure CLI (Azure Command-Line Interface) is a tool provided by Microsoft that allows users to manage and interact with Azure cloud resources through the command line. It enables tasks like creating resources, managing services, and automating workflows in Azure.

How do I use Azure CLI?

To use Azure CLI, you need to install it on your computer, sign in with your Azure account using the az login command, and then start running commands to manage your Azure resources. You can perform various tasks like creating virtual machines, managing storage accounts, and more.

Can I use Azure CLI on different platforms?

Yes, Azure CLI is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile tool that works across different operating systems. This cross-platform support allows users to manage Azure resources from their preferred environment.

Conclusion;
Azure CLI (Azure Command-Line Interface) is a powerful tool provided by Microsoft for managing Azure cloud resources. With its command-line convenience, cross-platform support, and scripting capabilities, it simplifies resource management and automation tasks. It offers versatile service coverage, integrates well with DevOps pipelines, and provides human-readable output. Regular updates ensure that users have access to the latest features and improvements, making Azure CLI an essential tool for efficient cloud resource management.