In this episode of the Azure Podcast, Sujit D'Mello and the team, including Cynthia, Evan, and Cale, are joined by special guest Mario Hewardt, an engineering manager on the Sysinternals team. Mario shares insights into the evolution of Sysinternals tools, their cross-platform journey, and their integration with Azure services. The discussion covers the development process, challenges faced, and the innovative features being added to these essential diagnostic tools. Tune in to learn about the latest updates and how Sysinternals continues to support both Windows and Linux environments.

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode514.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/6TAJfqnScuI

Resources:

Sysinternals (/Windows)

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/

Email: syssite@microsoft.com

ZoomIt is open source as part of PowerToys - https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys

Sysinternals (/Linux)

ProcDump for Linux - https://github.com/microsoft/ProcDump-for-Linux

Procmon for Linux - https://github.com/microsoft/ProcMon-for-Linux

Sysmon for Linux - https://github.com/microsoft/SysmonForLinux

For help with Linux tools, please file issues/discussions on GitHub.

Social media

Bluesky: @sysinternals

Evan, Kendal and Sujit dive into the details of Azure Container Apps sharing thier own experiences designing, supporting and using the service. They share tips and tricks for utilizing the correct ACA options for your workloads. 

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode513.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/nuxBz8O05LU

Resources: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/container-apps/overview

Other updates:

Next generation Azure Databox - Azure updates | Microsoft Azure

Azure HDInsight deprecates TLS1.1 - Azure updates | Microsoft Azure

MySQL Virtual Canary program - Scheduled Maintenance - Azure Database for MySQL - Flexible Server | Microsoft Learn

SQL MI Modernization Assistant - Modernization Advisor (Preview) - SQL Server on Azure VMs | Microsoft Learn

Private DNS Zones Internet fallback - Azure updates | Microsoft Azure

Modern Data Movement library - Azure updates | Microsoft Azure

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/load-testing/how-to-schedule-tests

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-data-studio/whats-happening-azure-data-studio

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/logs/log-analytics-simple-mode

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/databricks/clean-rooms/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/api-center/synchronize-aws-gateway-apis?tabs=portal

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/container-apps/sessions-tutorial-nodejs

Senthuran Sivananthan comes on the show to talk about the Well-Architected Framework (WAF) and Well Architected Resiliency Review (WARA).

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode512.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/xTxG7X9RoWQ

Resources:

• Azure Pricing Calculator
• Azure Architecture Review
• Web Application Firewall

Other Updates:

• Retirement of Azure Automation's Powershell runbooks using AzureRM modules
• TLS1.0/1.1 retirement for Azure Automation
• Customer Managed Unplanned Failover for ADLS and Storage+SFTP

Cale and Sujit discuss their current projects in Azure as 2024 comes to a close. They also cover a ton of AKS updates.

Semantic Kernel makes it easier for developers to build Azure Open AI applications that can also include SLMs like Phi-4. 

Azure has many options to use File Shares and Volumes, and we walk through the process of figuring out which one is right for your needs.

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode511.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/dLfCJ6btKng

Resources:

Semantic Kernel - https://github.com/microsoft/semantic-kernel

• Journey with SK on OpenAI and AzureOpenAI
• Ollama (running SLM local) - https://github.com/ollama/ollama
• Ollamazure (running SLM that looks like Azure OpenAI) - https://github.com/sinedied/ollamazure
• PhiSilica - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ai/apis/phi-silica

File Shares: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-introduction 

Other updates:

Lots of AKS updates!

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/concepts-network-isolated

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/azure-kubernetes/availability-performance/container-image-pull-performance

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/imds-restriction

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/use-windows-gpu

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/?id=471295

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/tutorial-restore-aks-backups-across-regions

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/app-routing-nginx-configuration?tabs=azurecli#control-the-default-nginx-ingress-controller-configuration-preview

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/automated-deployments

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/aks-extension-ghcopilot-plugins

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/containers/container-insights-logs-schema#kubernetes-metadata-and-logs-filtering

The team meets with Stephane Erbrech to talk about Azure Kubernetes Fleet and learns why it is necessary and also why it isn't the same thing as Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode510.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/h9rJNihhZPM

Resources:

The OSS bits powering Fleet Manager dataplane: https://github.com/Azure/fleet

The service doc: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/kubernetes-fleet/

Other updates:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cynthiakreng_nbafoundation-nbaallstar-nbafpitch-activity-7269908869684830209-MJlS

In this episode of the Azure Podcast, co-hosts, Sujit D'Mello, Evan Basalik, Russell Young, Cynthia Kreng, and Cale Teeter welcome special guest Thiago Almeida from the Azure Functions team. They dive into the details of the new Azure Functions Flex Consumption Plan, discussing its features, benefits, and how it fits into the broader landscape of Azure's compute options. Thiago shares insights on the programming model, pricing, and the improvements in cold start times, as well as the integration with networking features. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in serverless computing and Azure Functions.

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode509.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/WMdzxYy_tQ4

Resources:

Ignite news from Functions https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/appsonazureblog/azure-functions-ignite-2024-update/4298757

Flex Consumption GA announcement https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/appsonazureblog/azure-functions-flex-consumption-is-now-generally-available/4298778

Azure Functions cold start improvements https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/appsonazureblog/our-latest-work-to-improve-azure-functions-cold-starts/4164500

Cale, Evan, Russell and Sujit discuss the recent updates in Azure and specially cover the Azure-related announcements in the recent Ignite 2024 conference.

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode508.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/DwSqEMjmcn0

Resources:

https://news.microsoft.com/ignite-2024-book-of-news/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/mysql/flexible-server/concepts-business-continuity

https://aka.ms/configure-pon

olling upgrades with MaxSurge for Virtual Machine Scale Sets - Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets | Microsoft Learn

https://aka.ms/vmss-zonal-expansion

Azure Container Apps planned maintenance (preview) | Microsoft Learn

Release ProcDump-for-Mac 1.0 · microsoft/ProcDump-for-Mac

Workspaces in Azure API Management | Microsoft Learn

Protect APIs in API Management with Defender for APIs | Microsoft Learn

Gabriel Monteiro Nepomuceno, a Software Engineer and Cloud architect in Microsoft's ISE team, explains the concept of Azure Verified Modules (AVM). These include both resource and pattern modules. These modules ensure consistency and compliance with best practices, making it easier for users to deploy secure and well-architected solutions. They are also supported by Microsoft, so customers get long-term stability for their deployments.

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode507.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/BB5HQ_VkHG0

Resources:

https://azure.github.io/Azure-Verified-Modules/

Other updates:

Empower innovation and transformation through AI and data-driven insights on Azure

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/empower-innovation-and-transformation-through-ai-and-data-driven-insights-on-azure/

How higher education is reimagining student experiences with Azure OpenAI Service

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/how-higher-education-is-reimagining-student-experiences-with-azure-openai-service/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/v2/Azure-Cobalt-100-Arm-based-Virtual-Machines

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/v2/VM-watch-on-Azure-VMs

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/v2/Ermetro-ga-announcement

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/v2/ExpressRoute-guided-configuration-experience

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/v2/Simulate-everyday-interactions-with-your-GenAI-App-Public-Preview

The team meets up with Vaclav Jirovsky and Cody Hosterman from Pure Storage to learn about Pure's CBS solution and why Azure customers should consider using it.

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode506.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/wCbd5vdcBPQ

Resources: 

https://www.purestorage.com/products/cloud-block-storage/cbs.html

https://support.purestorage.com/bundle/m_cbs_for_azure/page/Pure_Cloud_Block_Store/CBS_for_Azure/topics/topic/t_cbs_for_azure_overview.html

Other updates:
https://powerplatformconf.com/

Willie Ahlers, Principal Architect, joins Cale, Cynthia and Russell to discuss the challenges and processes to get value from AI projects and make them successful in a live environment.

Media file: https://azpodcast.blob.core.windows.net/episodes/Episode505.mp3

YouTube: https://youtu.be/1GsuH-YylP0

• MAIVA - Microsoft AI Value Accelerator Playbook
• Data Science Toolkit - a collection of proven ML and AI implementation accelerators

Other updates:

• Public Preview: Expanded GenAI Gateway capabilities in Azure API Management
• Azure AI Model Inference API
• Public Preview: Low-Code RAG ingestion with built-in document parsing and chunking in Logic Apps Standard
• Public Preview – Templates Support in Azure Logic Apps Standard
• Public Preview – Out of box monitoring dashboards for Logic Apps Standard
• Generally Available: Java on Azure Container Apps
• Generally Available: Azure Application Gateway v2 Basic SKU
• Introducing o1: OpenAI’s new reasoning model series for developers and enterprises on Azure
• Advanced Container Networking Services: Enhancing security and observability in AKS