Deploy a website with Azure Virtual Machines

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/deploy-a-website-with-azure-virtual-machines

Introduction

## Course Review: Deploy a Website with Azure Virtual Machines ### Overview In today’s digital landscape, having a reliable and customizable web hosting solution is crucial for businesses and developers alike. Coursera’s course titled **Deploy a website with Azure Virtual Machines** is tailored for those who find themselves needing more control than what standard Azure Web Apps can provide. This course offers a comprehensive guide to using Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) to host web applications, catering to both Linux and Windows users. ### Course Content and Structure The course is structured into several modules, each focusing on different aspects of deploying and managing virtual machines in Azure. Here's a detailed look at the syllabus: 1. **Introduction to Azure Virtual Machines** - This foundational module prepares you for the course by discussing critical decision-making factors before creating a VM. You will also learn about various options for managing VMs, as well as essential extensions and services that enhance functionality. 2. **Create a Linux Virtual Machine in Azure** - Building on your foundational knowledge, this module focuses on practical implementation. Guided step-by-step, you will learn how to create a Linux virtual machine through the Azure portal—a fundamental skill for any web developer or cloud administrator. 3. **Create a Windows Virtual Machine in Azure** - This section highlights the flexibility of Azure VMs, allowing you to create dedicated compute resources in mere minutes. You will explore how to set up a Windows VM, offering insights into Windows-based hosting solutions. 4. **Build and Run a Web Application with the MEAN Stack on an Azure Linux Virtual Machine** - One of the course's most exciting elements, this module takes a hands-on approach. You will delve into the MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js) and develop a basic web application to manage book information. This practical experience not only reinforces your learning but also equips you with applicable skills for real-world projects. 5. **Practice Exam** - To encapsulate your learning, the course concludes with a practice exam that aligns with the key skills measured in the Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure. This allows you to assess your knowledge and readiness for further certification or implementation tasks. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros: - **Comprehensive Learning Path**: The course covers both theoretical and practical aspects of using Azure VMs. Each module builds upon the previous one, ensuring a smooth learning curve. - **Hands-On Experience**: The project-based learning that focuses on the MEAN stack is particularly beneficial for learners keen on applying their knowledge immediately. - **Flexibility**: This course provides insights into both Linux and Windows environments, making it versatile for different user preferences and requirements. #### Cons: - **Prerequisites Needed**: A basic understanding of cloud computing concepts and familiarity with Azure would be beneficial, as the course may move quickly for complete beginners. - **Limited in Scope**: While the course focuses on VMs, those looking for a more general overview of Azure services may find it lacks broader context. ### Recommendation I highly recommend the **Deploy a Website with Azure Virtual Machines** course for anyone looking to expand their web hosting capabilities on Azure. Whether you are a beginner wanting to understand virtual environments or a more experienced developer seeking to deepen your expertise, this course is structured to meet a range of learning needs. The hands-on approach, coupled with the solid theoretical foundation, prepares you to confidently manage and deploy web applications in the Azure environment. Completing this course could significantly enhance your cloud deployment skills and may open up new opportunities in your professional career. Enroll today and gain the practical knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of virtual machine deployment on Azure!

Syllabus

Introduction to Azure virtual machines

In this module, you will look at the decisions made before creating a VM, the options to create and manage the VM, and the extensions and services you use to manage your VM.

In this module, you will learn how to create a Linux virtual machine using the Azure portal.

In this module, you will see how Azure virtual machines (VMs) enable you to create dedicated compute resources in minutes that can be used just like a physical desktop or server machine.

You've heard about the MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js) and you know it uses JavaScript. In this module, you will try it out by building a MEAN stack and a basic web application that stores information about books. You can use what you learned to get a jump-start on your new web site.

In this module, you will take a practice exam that covers key skills measured in the Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure.