In this post, I want to share my review of my next technical book I read recently, Azure Cookbook this time from Massimo Bonammi and Marco Obinu published by BPB Online and available on Amazon as well as other e-book subscription platforms.
I have the joy of calling both fine Italian gentlemen my friends and colleagues for a few years already. I bumped into Marco around 2017 when I was delivering an Azure Architect workshop for his employer. Massimo was one of my EMEA colleagues in the Microsoft Technical Trainer team and we had the pleasure of delivering a few in-person training days together before COVID. Marco joined the Technical Trainer team about 2 years later, when I was already relocated to the USA.
When I got approached to do a technical book review of their work, I didn’t hesitate for a second. Not that I was their target audience, but see it as the ultimate combination of fellow Azure experts, bringing in our mutual love for good food and Azure, and having fun while reading through a book :).
Book Review
The Azure Cookbook is a comprehensive guide that offers over 75 practical recipes to help you tackle common Azure challenges in everyday scenarios. Whether you’re a seasoned Azure professional or just starting your journey with Microsoft’s cloud platform, this book provides valuable insights and solutions to enhance your Azure experience.
The book is structured to address key tasks any Azure Cloud Administrator, Developer and/or Azure Solution Architect should know about. Think of setting up permissions for a storage account, working with Cosmos DB APIs, managing Azure role-based access control, governing your Azure subscriptions using Azure Policy. And so many more (75 remember…)
Each recipe is meticulously crafted to provide step-by-step instructions, making it easy for readers to follow along and implement the solutions in their own environments. Over the different recipes, you will sometimes use only steps in the Azure Portal, sometimes relying on Azure CommandLine Interface (CLI) with Bash or PowerShell, as well as using Infrastructure as Code with ARM templates and Bicep. And often, a good combination of all these in a single recipe.
One of the standout features of the Azure Cookbook is its focus on real-world administrative tasks. The authors have drawn from their extensive experience as cloud experts as well as Technical Trainers and public speakers, to present scenarios that you are most likely to encounter in your day-to-day work. This practical approach ensures that the solutions provided are not only theoretically sound but more so, are highly applicable in real-world settings.
The book covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Storage Management: Learn how to set up and manage Azure storage accounts, configure access permissions, and optimize storage performance.
- Database Integration: Explore recipes for working with Azure Cosmos DB, SQL Database, and other database services, including tips for optimizing performance and ensuring data security.
- Access Control: Understand how to manage Azure role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure that your resources are secure and accessible only to authorized users.
- Policy Management: Discover how to use Azure Policy to govern your subscriptions and ensure compliance with organizational standards.
- Networking: Gain insights into configuring virtual networks, setting up VPNs, and managing network security groups to protect your Azure resources.
- Automation: Learn how to automate common tasks using Azure Automation, PowerShell, and Azure CLI, saving you time and reducing the risk of human error.
The Azure Cookbook also includes tips and best practices for optimizing your Azure environment, ensuring that you get the most out of your cloud investment. The authors provide clear explanations and detailed examples, making complex concepts easy to understand and implement.
In addition to the technical content, the book also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest Azure features and updates. Marco and Massimo encourage readers to explore new tools and techniques, fostering a culture of innovation and growth.
Having worked with Azure almost fulltime since 2013, I still enjoyed going through these exercises, as several of them helped me refreshing my skills on services I somewhat neglected over the years (that’s what happens when you move from an infrastructure background to devops, application development and AI). So don’t make the mistake thinking this book is only for new upcoming (cloud) chefs. Even veteran cooks need to change pots and pans every now and then, LOL.
Summary
Overall, the Azure Cookbook is an invaluable resource for anyone working with Azure. Its practical recipes, real-world scenarios, and expert insights make it a must-have for IT professionals, developers, and cloud architects. Whether you’re looking to solve specific challenges or simply want to deepen your understanding of Azure, this book provides the knowledge and tools you need to succeed.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your Azure skills and take your cloud expertise to the next level. Get your copy of the Azure Cookbook today and start exploring the endless possibilities of Microsoft’s cloud platform!
If you’re still looking for a belated Christmas stocking stuffer, an overall little Holidays present for yourself or your acquintances, let this be a great recommendation.
If you got access to the book and reading it, or have read it already, don’t hesitate reaching out and providing your feedback.
Cheers!!
/Peter