Azure Portal

The Azure Portal is a unified web interface to build, manage, and monitor Azure resources—from simple web apps to complex cloud applications.

Key Features

• Search resources, services, and documentation

• Manage resources efficiently

• Create dashboards and pin favorites for easy access

• Access Cloud Shell directly from the portal

• Receive notifications and alerts

• Quick links to Azure documentation

• Portal URL: https://portal.azure.com

Azure Mobile App

• Monitor resources on-the-go (iOS or Android)

• Check status, metrics, and alerts remotely

• Diagnose and fix issues (restart VMs, web apps, etc.)

• Execute Azure CLI or PowerShell commands from mobile

Using the Portal

1. Open Help & Support (? icon) → Launch Guided Tour

2. Check Keyboard Shortcuts for productivity

3. Navigate to your Dashboard (G + D)

Customizing Your Experience

1. Create a New Dashboard

2. Add, pin, move, resize, delete tiles

3. Change color themes via Settings

4. Reorder Favorites

5. Pin Cost Management & Billing info to dashboard

6. Use the Search box to find resources (e.g., Resource groups → + Add)

Azure Cloud Shell

Azure Cloud Shell is a browser-accessible command-line environment for managing Azure resources.

Key Features

• Temporary session with per-user host

• Requires a resource group, storage account, and Azure File share

• Integrated Monaco Editor for editing files

• Automatic authentication with Azure

• 20-minute timeout without activity

• $HOME persists in a 5-GB file share

• Supports Bash (Linux) or PowerShell (Windows)

• Uses the same Azure file share for both shells

Demonstration Steps

Configuring Cloud Shell

1. Click the Cloud Shell icon

2. Choose PowerShell or Bash

3. Create a Storage Account if needed

4. Select your Subscription and Create Storage

PowerShell Commands

• Get-AzSubscription → List subscriptions

• Get-AzResourceGroup → List resource groups

Bash Commands

• az account list → List subscriptions

• az resource list → List resources

• Tab completion supported

Cloud Editor

• Launch with code . or click {} icon

• Edit files, change settings (text size/font)

• Upload/download files

• Save and close editor using the ellipsis (...)