Microsoft Azure (commonly referred to as Azure) is a global cloud computing platform and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solution launched by Microsoft. Since its official commercial launch in 2010, Azure has become one of the world's leading cloud computing service providers through its deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem.
This platform offers comprehensive server-related services, covering scenarios such as virtual servers, bare-metal servers, hybrid cloud deployments, and edge computing. It serves individual developers, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, and government agencies, with services compatible with both Windows and Linux ecosystems.
1. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Service Provider Name: Microsoft Azure
- English Name: Microsoft Azure
- Established: 2010 (Commercial Launch)
- Headquarters Address: Redmond, Washington, USA
- Official website address:https://azure.microsoft.com/
- Server Types: Virtual Machines (VMs), Bare Metal Servers (BareMetal Infrastructure), Hybrid Cloud Servers (Azure Arc), Edge Servers (Azure Edge Zones), Lightweight Application Servers (App Service)
- Coverage Areas: North America (United States, Canada, Mexico) Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Ireland, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Singapore, Japan, India, Hong Kong, China, etc.) Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia) South America (Brazil, Chile) Africa (South Africa, Nigeria)
- Primary user types: Individual developers, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, government agencies, educational and research institutions
- Reference Pricing: Lightweight Application Server starting at $3.30/month; Virtual Server (B1s instance) free plan for 12 months, then approximately $3.50/month; Bare Metal Server starting at approximately $150/month.
- Trial Availability: Offers a 12-month free plan (including core services such as B1s VMs and storage), with new users receiving $200 in credits (valid for 30 days).
2. Microsoft Azure Product Types and Plans
| Product Type | Package Name | Configuration | Monthly Price (USD) | IP Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight Application Server | Basic B1s (Free Plan) | 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, 10GB SSD, 1Gbps bandwidth, unlimited traffic | 0 (12 months free) / 3.5 (subsequent) | 1 dynamic public IPv4 address, supports IPv6 |
| Standard B2s | 2 vCPUs, 4GB RAM, 32GB SSD, 1Gbps bandwidth, unlimited traffic | 14 | 1 Elastic IPv4 with IPv6 dual-stack support | |
| Virtual Machine (VM) | Standard D2s v3 | 2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM, 50GB SSD, 10Gbps bandwidth | 42 | Elastic IPv4 (optional), native IPv6 support, multiple IP allocation |
| Standard E4s v3 | 4 vCPUs, 32GB RAM, 100GB SSD, 10Gbps bandwidth | 85 | Multiple elastic IPv4 and IPv6 address blocks, supporting load balancing | |
| Bare-metal server | HBv3 Series | AMD EPYC 64-core 2GHz, 256GB RAM, 2×1.6TB NVMe, 200Gbps bandwidth | 150 | Dedicated IP range, IPv4/IPv6 dual stack, supports Direct Connect |
| HC Series | Intel Xeon Platinum 8375C, 384GB RAM, 4×1.92TB NVMe, 100Gbps bandwidth | 280 | Dedicated IPv6 address block, BGP routing support, security group isolation | |
| Hybrid Cloud Server (Azure Arc) | Customized Package | Local servers integrate with Azure cloud resources, with configurations customized on demand. | Custom Quote (Includes Software License + Services) | Local private network IP + cloud elastic IP, cross-environment IP communication with encryption |
3. Microsoft Azure Core Capabilities and Architectural Features
Hybrid Cloud Global Integration Capability
At the architectural layer, Azure Arc enables seamless integration between on-premises data centers, multi-cloud environments, and the Azure cloud, supporting unified management and resource scheduling across environments.
Elastic Computing Resource Delivery Capability
At the compute layer, VM instances support second-level startup and shutdown with elastic scaling. Combined with Virtual Machine Scale Sets (VMSS), they can automatically adjust instance counts based on load to accommodate fluctuating workloads.
Deep Integration Capabilities with the Microsoft Ecosystem
At the management level, it offers native compatibility with Microsoft products such as Windows Server, SQL Server, and .NET, supports unified Active Directory authentication, and reduces enterprise migration costs.
Global Low-Latency Network Architecture
At the network layer, leveraging global backbone networks and edge nodes, it enables cross-regional data synchronization and low-latency access, supporting global load balancing and traffic optimization.
Security Compliance and Privacy Protection Capabilities
At the security layer, it incorporates the Defender for Cloud security framework, complying with global compliance standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS, while supporting data encryption and access control.
4. Microsoft Azure Data Center Distribution / Billing Currency
- Coverage Areas: North America (Virginia, Washington, Texas, etc., USA; Montreal, Canada; Mexico City), Europe (Dublin, Ireland; London, UK; Frankfurt, Germany, etc.), Asia-Pacific (Singapore; Tokyo; Seoul; Hong Kong, China; Sydney, etc.), Middle East (Dubai; Riyadh), South America (São Paulo; Santiago), Africa (Johannesburg; Lagos)
Distribution Characteristics: Comprehensive global regional and availability zone deployment, with each region comprising multiple independent availability zones. Redundant architecture ensures 99.991% service availability, deeply tailored to meet enterprises' global business needs.
Supported billing currencies: US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), British Pound (GBP), Japanese Yen (JPY), Chinese Yuan (CNY, operated by 21Vianet in China), Indian Rupee (INR), and over 30 other currencies.
5. How to Deploy Servers Using Microsoft Azure
- Visit the Azure official website (https://azure.microsoft.com/), click “Get Started for Free” to register an account, complete email verification, submit identity information, and link a payment method to activate your account and claim the free tier.
- Sign in to the Azure portal (https://portal.azure.com/), then select “Virtual Machines” (or other server products such as Bare Metal Servers or App Service) from the list of services.
- Select the target region and availability zone, configure parameters such as the virtual machine name, operating system (Windows/Linux), hardware specifications, storage, and security groups;
- Select a billing model (On-Demand/Reserved Instance/Spot Instance), confirm the configuration, and submit the deployment order. The system will automatically create and launch the server instance.
- Obtain the public IP address from the virtual machine console, then log in to the server via Remote Desktop (Windows) or SSH (Linux) to configure the basic runtime environment and application.
- For automated management, refer to the official Azure documentation.https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/Learn how to use ARM templates, Azure CLI, or PowerShell.
6. Common Application Scenarios for Microsoft Azure
- Enterprise-Grade Hybrid Cloud Architecture Deployment (Integrating On-Premises IT Systems with Azure Cloud)
- Server Hosting for Windows Ecosystem Applications and .NET Development Projects
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Model Training and Inference (with Azure ML Services)
- IoT Device Data Collection, Edge Computing Processing, and Cloud Storage Analysis
- Global Distributed Deployment of High-Concurrency Web Applications and E-commerce Platforms
- Building Compliance IT Systems for Government and Financial Institutions (Aligned with Industry Regulatory Requirements)
- Global Deployment of Game Server Nodes and Low-Latency Online Support
7. Microsoft Azure Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azure suitable for developers working outside the Windows ecosystem?
Suitable, Azure fully supports Linux operating systems (Ubuntu, CentOS, etc.) and is compatible with mainstream development languages such as Java, Python, and Go. Users outside the Windows ecosystem can use it normally.
Are there usage restrictions on the server services in the Azure Free Tier?
Yes, B1s virtual machines are limited to 750 hours of usage per month. Usage exceeding this limit will be charged at on-demand rates. Certain premium instance types are not included in the free tier.
Does it support elastic scaling of server resources?
Supports manual adjustment of virtual machine hardware configurations (CPU/memory) and enables automatic scaling of instance quantities via VMSS without requiring downtime.
How to ensure server data security?
Azure provides data encryption (at rest/in transit), security group firewalls, DDoS protection, vulnerability scanning, and other features. Users can implement granular permission controls through IAM.
How are Azure services provided in China?
Azure services in China are independently operated by 21Vianet (https://www.azure.cn/), meeting domestic data compliance requirements while maintaining consistent service architecture with the global version.
What channels are available for obtaining technical support when encountering technical issues?
Free users can troubleshoot issues independently through the Azure Community and official documentation. Paid users can choose from different tiers of technical support services to receive 24/7 assistance from professional engineers.
Editor's Note
Azure leverages its deep compatibility with the Microsoft ecosystem, robust hybrid cloud capabilities, and global compliance certifications as core strengths. Its pricing structure varies significantly based on instance type, billing model, and region. It is well-suited for enterprises familiar with Microsoft products and users requiring hybrid cloud deployments. Beginners can utilize free plans to gradually familiarize themselves with platform operations.
