Getting Started with Terraform on AWS: Managing State

Terraform state is a critical component of Terraform and is crucial to understand when building automated solutions. This post will explain what you need to know about managing Terraform state.

Episode 096: Cloud Security with Eric Kedrosky | CloudSkills.fm

Mike’s guest in this episode is Eric Kedrosky, Director of Cloud Security Research and CISO for Sunrai Security, a company that helps businesses fortify their public cloud spaces.

Getting Started with Terraform on AWS: Deploying Resources

Terraform is rapidly changing the game for many companies running on AWS, Azure, GPC, and more. In this guide, written by Luke Orellana, you will use Terraform to deploy resources to AWS.

Episode 095: AWS Security in Practice

In this episode I chat with Dylan Shields about his new book AWS Security. Dylan is a software engineer working on Quantum Computing at AWS. Previously, Dylan was the first engineer on the AWS Security Hub team.

Episode 094: Azure Networking & Security with Derek Smith

In this episode I chat with Derek Smith about Azure Networking & Security. Derek is a Senior Azure Technical Consultant at Ahead, working to help clients with their Azure cloud journey.

Episode 093: Microsoft Identity for Developers | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode we catch up with Christos Matskas and J.P. Dandison, both PM Developer Advocates from the Microsoft Identity team, about building apps with the Microsoft Identity Platform.

Episode 092: Azure Architecture with Thomas Maurer | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode we dive into Azure Architecture with Thomas Maurer. Learn about Enterprise Scale Landing Zones, Azure Bicep, the Well Architected Framework, and more.

Episode 091: How to Start Your Cloud Journey with Chirag Nayyar

In this episode I catch up with Chirag Nayyar who has moved into cloud straight from university and is working towards helping businesses make the shift into the cloud.

Episode 090: Cloud & DevOps with Bart Castle | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Bart Castle, an Expert Trainer at CBT Nuggets where he spends his days making training content while consulting on the side.

Episode 089: Partnering with Tech Recruiters | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Erica Woods and Ryan Sedwitz with Apex Systems. Learn how agency recruiters can help you showcase your abilities, and build up your personal brand.

Episode 088: Pulumi in Action with Christian Nunciato | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Christian Nunciato, staff software engineer at Pulumi. We discuss how developers can use common programming languages to write infrastructure code.

Episode 087: Learning Azure with Gwyneth Pena | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Azure MVP Gwyneth Pena to discuss how you can get started on your journey into the cloud through certification, teaching and much more.

How to Get Started with Octopus Deploy

What is Octopus Deploy? In this blog post, you will learn all about getting an Octopus Deploy environment up and running so you can automate an entire workflow.

Episode 086: How to Get Started with Ansible | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Josh Duffney, author of the new book 'become Ansible'. Should you be using Ansible or Terraform? Maybe both? And, how do you get up and running quickly?

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Tips and Tricks

Infrastructure as Code is complex and requires you to jump through many hoops. In this guide we review some practical tips and tricks to be mindful of when developing infrastructure.

Building Azure Infrastructure with Terraform

In this video you'll see how to initialize your Terraform configuration directory using terraform init, how to create an execution plan, and how to modify infrastructure using terraform apply.

Episode 085: Building Self-Service Cloud Environments | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode we catch up with Ohad Maislish, CEO & Co-founder of env0, and we discuss challenges and solutions for teams that need to manage their own cloud environments.

How to Build and Run a Python App in a Docker Container

Just getting started with containers? In this blog post, you will learn about what Docker actually is, and how you can build and run a Python Flask API inside a Docker container.

Getting Started with Azure Bastion

Microsoft has taken some of the capabilities of a jump host and rolled them into the Azure platform. In this guide, you will learn what Azure Bastion is, what it is not, and how to manage your Azure environment more securely.

How to Become a Certified Azure Solutions Architect | AZ-303 & AZ-304

In this livestream Mike Pfeiffer and Tim Warner explain what's going on with the new Azure Solutions Architect certification exams and provide tips for studying for AZ-303 and AZ-304.

How to Build and Deploy Docker Containers with Azure Pipelines

In this video Mike Pfeiffer shows you how to use the Azure DevOps Pipelines service to build and deploy Docker containers to Azure Web App for Containers in App Service.

Episode 083: Learn Kubernetes in a Month of Lunches | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode we catch up with Elton Stoneman about his new book: Learn Kubernetes in a Month of Lunches. This episode is sponsored by the books publisher, Manning Publications.

How to Setup Azure AD Hybrid Identity

In my latest YouTube video I show you how to setup Azure AD Hybrid Identity from scratch. You’ll see how to register a custom domain with your Azure AD tenant and how to deploy and configure Azure AD Connect.

Episode 082: Starting Your DevOps Career from Scratch | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I answer some listener questions and provide tips on how you can create a strategy to launch your own DevOps career from scratch. What does it take? What should you focus?

Azure Load Balancing Demystified

Have you ever been confused by all the load balancing options available in Azure? What's the difference between regional and global load balancing? Why are there so many load balancing services?

Deploying to Azure App Service with GitHub Actions

Get started with GitHub Actions in this step-by-step tutorial on deploying to Azure App Service. This video will show you how to hit the ground running with GitHub Actions.

Episode 081: Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer (AZ-400) | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I talk about the recent changes to the AZ-400 exam and provide some tips and resources you can use to start studying right away.

Using Just In Time Access to Secure Azure VMs

Learn how to work with Just In Time Access with virtual machines in Azure so you can easily limit access to servers in your Azure environment.

Episode 080: Do Certifications Really Matter? | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Josh Duffney to discuss the value of technical certifications. Tons of tips and insights from Q&A with a live audience.

Managing Resource Tagging with Azure Policy - Part 2

Learn how to create a strategy for defining and managing resource tags with Azure Policy. This is the fourth post in an in-depth series on Azure Policy by Joe Fecht.

Episode 079: Getting Started with Google Firebase | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Gareth Brown who is a front-end web developer and an expert when it comes to building apps with Google Firebase. Enter our contest to win a copy of his latest course.

Episode 078: Changing Your Career Path with Jeff Brown | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with fellow Pluralsight author Jeff Brown about how to change your career path while working in the tech industry. Jeff is an Azure trainer and former Microsoft engineer.

Managing Resource Tagging with Azure Policy

Learn how to create a strategy for defining and managing resource tags with Azure Policy. This is the third post in an in-depth series on Azure Policy by Joe Fecht.

Episode 077: Fireside Chat with Kelsey Hightower | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode Mike Pfeiffer sits down with Kelsey Hightower, Dan Wahlin, and Anthony Nocentino for a fireside chat at the Kubernetes Day One event. Tons of awesome takeaways for everyone.

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Testing

Writing tests for Terraform provides many benefits that make life easier as an infrastructure developer. Automated tests provide faster loop feedback. Learn how to write tests for Terraform code.

Episode 076: Breaking into Tech with Adrienne Tacke | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Adrienne Tacke, published author and software engineer, about breaking into the tech industry, teaching others, and helping people ramp up on the Azure cloud.

Azure Functions: Deploying from VS Code and Azure DevOps

Learn how to create, configure and test Azure functions locally on your machine and then deploy them into an existing Azure function app using multiple methods.

Episode 075: Building on AWS with Carlos Rivas | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Carlos Rivas to talk about building solutions on the AWS cloud platform. Carlos is a Cloud Architect and online instructor for LinkedIn Learning and Udacity.

Azure Functions: Managing Authentication and Secrets

Learn how to securely provide Azure functions with role-based access to Azure resources and leverage password and secrets in your functions that are stored in Azure Key Vault.

Episode 074: High Performance Team Structure | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode we catch up with Manuel Pais, DevOps and Delivery Coach, Consultant, and co-author of the book Team Topologies. This is a must listen for teams adopting DevOps.

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Importing Existing Infrastructure

In this step-by-step guide, Luke Orellana walks us through the process of importing pre-existing Azure infrastructure into a Terraform state file.

Episode 073: Kubernetes on GCP in the Real-World | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Miles Matthias who is a Solutions Architect at Stripe. Miles and his team have designed and implemented Kubernetes for some of the largest customers running on GCP.

Azure Functions: Creating a PowerShell Event Based Function

Event-driven automation is one of the most compelling benefits to the cloud. Learn how to create a serverless function that gets triggered by Azure Event Grid and processed with PowerShell Core.

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Functions, Expressions, and Loops

The HashiCorp configuration language (HCL) is both human-readable and machine-friendly enough to perform complex logic shown in this guide.

Episode 072: AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification

In this episode I catch up with fellow MS MVP Tim Warner to discuss the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification exam and what you should do to prepare.

Building and Deploying a REST API using Azure Functions and Azure DevOps Pipelines

Follow along with this project-focused tutorial and learn how to build and deploy a reference application with Azure Functions and Azure DevOps Pipelines.

Episode 071: Learning and Teaching Azure with Lars Klint | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Lars Klint, fellow Microsoft MVP, software developer, and Azure instructor at A Cloud Guru.

Azure Functions: An Introduction for DevOps Engineers

In this first part of a multi-part guide, you will review Azure Function App plans, deploy an Azure Function App, and setup a PowerShell-based webhook function.

Lookup Azure Key Vault Secrets with Ansible

As companies become more security conscious, password rotation is often one of the first areas addressed. Learn how to solve this challenge with Ansible.

Episode 070: Securing DevOps in the Cloud | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Julien Vehent who leads the Firefox Operations Security team at Mozilla. Julien is a security architect and DevOps advocate.

How to Write Scripts that Combine Azure CLI with PowerShell

Azure CLI and PowerShell work well together right out of the box for all Azure services. How can we bring the two automation tools together?

Configure a Windows Web Server with Ansible in Azure

The goal of this tutorial is to configure an Azure virtual machine as an IIS Web Server using Ansible. This is the fourth post in a series on Ansible and Azure.

Managing Resources with Azure Policy

This is the second post in a series to help you become more familiar with Azure Policy. Learn how to make better parameters in policy definitions to simplify your assignments.

Episode 069: Developer Perspectives on Cloud & DevOps | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Elkhan Yusubov to understand the developers perspective when it comes to working with in cloud and DevOps.

Continuous Integration (CI) with Azure Pipelines and .NET Core

In this guide you'll learn how to design and implement continuous integration (CI) for an ASP.NET Core web application using Azure Pipelines.

Connect to an Azure Windows Host with Ansible

In this tutorial you'll be provisioning a Windows Server virtual machine by using PowerShell and a custom script extension Deployed by Ansible to Azure.

Episode 068: How to Build Your Personal Brand | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with tech industry legends and fellow published authors Dan Wahlin and Tim Warner about how to build your personal brand.

How to Python in PowerShell

We see a ton of articles and posts about getting started in PowerShell to Python, but how about from Python to PowerShell? In this blog post, you will learn a hands-on approach.

Introduction to Azure Blueprints

Learn how to get started with Azure Blueprints to use existing Azure services like Azure Policies, permissions and ARM templates to give you control of the rollout of your environment.

Deploy a Windows Virtual Machine to Azure with Ansible

By the end of the tutorial you'll understand how to use several of the Azure Ansible modules to deploy workloads to Azure.

Episode 067: Breaking into Cloud and DevOps | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I catch up with Michael Levan on his journey into cloud and DevOps, and we share some ideas on how you can do the same.

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Modules

In Terraform, we can create modules to build re-usable components for creating production-grade Infrastructure as Code configurations.

Connect to Azure with Ansible

In order to use Ansible with Azure, you must first define the connection settings between the Ansible server and Azure as an infrastructure platform. Learn how to connect Ansible to Azure.

Episode 066: Cloud Transformation Foundations | CloudSkills.fm

What's working well for organizations on their cloud journey? What are some the patterns and best practices of those having the most success? We answer these questions in this episode.

Getting Started with Azure Policy

Learn how to get started with Azure Policy in this step-by-step guide and create, assign, and manage policies and enforce different rules and effects over your resources in Azure.

Feature Branch Workflow and Pull Requests: The Ultimate Guide

Learn how to implement the Git feature branch workflow and how to work with pull requests in this ultimate step-by-step guide.

Mastering Azure through Cloud Katas

In this blog post we will apply hands-on practice with the Azure Cloud through executing a series of short exercises revolving around VM creation, monitoring and ARM templating.

Episode 065: Cloud Transformation in the Enterprise

In this episode I chat with Patrick Hubbard from SolarWinds about cloud transformation in the enterprise along with considerations for multi-cloud.

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Remote State

In this guide we will step you through the process of setting up remote state with an Azure Storage Account and Terraform Cloud.

Episode 064: The Truth about Cloud Certifications

How do you prepare for cloud certification? And how do you deal with failure? We answer these questions in this episode.

Deploy a Serverless ASP.NET App to Azure Container Instances from Cloud Shell

Learn how to create, build, and publish a .NET Core app inside a Docker container running on an Azure Container Instance.

Episode 063: Azure Hybrid Cloud with Thomas Maurer

In this episode I catch up with Thomas Maurer to discuss Azure hybrid cloud scenarios and we answer questions from a live audience.

Building an Azure Cognitive Search Results page in Vue.js (Part 3)

Learn how to build and publish a Vue.js application to an Azure Storage static website using an Azure DevOps project and pipeline.

Episode 062: Infrastructure as Code with Ned Bellavance

In this episode I chat with fellow Pluralsight Author and MS MVP Ned Bellavance about working with Terraform, Packer, ARM Templates, and Multi-Cloud.

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Variables

Hard coded values are an anti-pattern for IaC. Learn how to use variables in Terraform to allow your configurations to become more dynamic.

Terraform on Azure: Create an Entire Development Environment

Create a development environment that you can spin up, destroy, and re-create any time you want with a few simple Terraform commands.

Episode 061: Dive into Kubernetes with Nigel Poulton

In this episode I catch up with world renowned Docker and Kubernetes author Nigel Poulton. Learn how to navigate the world of cloud native computing.

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Provisioners

Learn how to work with Terraform provisioners which provide the ability to run additional steps or tasks when a resource is created or destroyed.

Building an Azure Cognitive Search Results page in Vue.js (Part 2)

Learn how to build an Azure Cognitive Search Results page with Vue.js in part two of three in this step-by-step series by Pieter Jan Geutjens.

Episode 060: Operations Anti-Patterns with Jeff Smith

In this episode we catch up with Jeff Smith to discuss his new book called "Operations Anti-Patterns: DevOps Solutions" from Manning Publications.

Getting Started with Git and Azure DevOps: The Ultimate Guide

Once you've worked your way through part one of this guide you'll be able to work with Git, a distributed version control system.

5 Tips for Troubleshooting Azure SQL Database Performance

Here in this guide, we will walk you through top 5 practical Tips or Tricks to validate and remediate performance issues with Azure SQL databases.

Episode 059: How to Decide Between Azure and AWS?

In this episode we catch up with fellow cloud architects Nicolas Blank, Warren du Toit, and Chris Goosen to discuss the factors of choosing Azure or AWS.

Building an Azure Cognitive Search Results page in Vue.js (Part I)

Learn how to build an Azure Cognitive Search Results page with Vue.js in part one of three in this step-by-step series by Pieter Jan Geutjens.

Episode 058: DevOps vs. Site Reliability Engineering (SRE)

In this episode I catch up with Josh Duffney to discuss the differences between DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), and we answer questions from a live audience.

Getting Started with Terraform on Azure: Deploying Resources

Terraform is a great way to start your Infrastructure as Code journey in Azure. Learn how to get started in this step-by-step guide.

Episode 057: Azure DevOps in the Real-World | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode we catch up with Abel Wang to talk all things Azure DevOps. Abel is a Principal Cloud Advocate and DevOps Lead at Microsoft.

Infrastructure Automation with Terraform and Azure DevOps Pipeline Templates

Infrastructure as Code is considered a best practice when managing infrastructure in the cloud.

Episode 056: Kubernetes in 2020 with Kelsey Hightower

In this episode I catch up with Kelsey Hightower about how to navigate your career in tech and what the Kubernetes landscape is going to look like in 2020.

Integrate an ASP.NET Core Web App with Azure Key Vault

In this guided hands-on lab you'll integrate an Azure Key Vault resource with an ASP.NET Core web app running in Azure App Service.

Episode 055: Orchestrating Containers on AWS

In this episode we catch up with Michael Wittig from from Cloudonaut.io about running containers on AWS, Infrastructure as Code, and much more.

Episode 054: DevSecOps, AppSec, and Cloud Security

In this episode we catch up with Tanya Janca to discuss DevSecOps, AppSec, and what you need to do to secure cloud applications.

Episode 053: Learn Docker in a Month of Lunches

In this episode I catch up with fellow Microsoft MVP Elton Stoneman to discuss his new book “Learn Docker in a Month of Lunches”.

Episode 052: How to Amplify Your Career with Michael Teske

In this episode I catch up with fellow Pluralsight Author Michael Teske at Microsoft Ignite 2019 and we discuss how to take your career to the next level.

Episode 051: Azure Arc and Hybrid Cloud Management

In this episode we catch up with Michael Greene from Microsoft about Azure Arc, hybrid cloud, governance, end-to-end management, and more.

Episode 050: Microsoft Ignite 2019 with Dan Wahlin and John Papa

In this episode we chat with industry legends Dan Wahlin and John Papa at Microsoft Ignite 2019 about serverless, containers, k8s, and more.

Episode 049: Serverless Automation with PowerShell and Azure Functions

In this episode we catch up with Eamon O'Reilly, Principal Program Manager on the Azure Functions team at Microsoft Ignite 2019.

Episode 040: What to Do When You Don't Have Experience | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode I share some ideas on how you can build up your cloud experience and start making your career transition into roles focused on Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, and more.

Episode 039: Azure Fundamentals Certification (AZ-900)

In this episode we catch up with Microsoft MVP Tim Warner about how to prepare for the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Certification exam.

Episode 036: Azure vs. AWS

In this episode I chat with fellow Microsoft MVP Tim Warner and we discuss the differences and similarities of the Azure and AWS cloud platforms.

Episode 034: Cloud Native Patterns and Practices

In this episode we chat with Cornelia Davis about her latest book “Cloud Native Patterns Designing change-tolerant software”.

Episode 025: The Continuous Delivery of Value with DevOps

In this episode we talk to Donovan Brown, Principal DevOps Manager with Microsoft, about the importance of adopting DevOps practices, and the continuous delivery of value to your end-users.

Episode 006: Cloud Career Strategy | CloudSkills.fm

In this episode, I talk to Tim Warner about cloud career strategy. Tim is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Cloud and Datacenter Management who is based in Nashville.

Episode 005: Automation with PowerShell

In this episode, I talk to Jeff Hicks about automation with PowerShell. Jeff is the author of numerous PowerShell books, and he's a well known Pluralsight Author and Microsoft MVP.

Build Your First CI/CD Pipeline using Azure DevOps

Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) are considered by most to be the backbone of DevOps. Things start to get really interesting when you combine these practices with programmable infrastructure and CI/CD.

Amplify Your IT Career by Building Infrastructure Development Skills

Anyone who wants to thrive in the tech industry in the coming years should learn the core principles of infrastructure development. Those who do will hold in-demand skills in a world where almost everything is software defined.

Build, Run, and Continuously Deploy Docker Containers on Azure App Service

If you're thinking about investing your time to pick up new skills, you can't go wrong with learning how to build, run, and manage containers.