Many students and IT professionals face information overload when exploring Azure’s vast range of services. With dozens of offerings spanning infrastructure, data, networking, and security, it’s easy to feel lost. The key to confidence is not memorization but understanding why each service exists and how to apply it in real scenarios.
Below is an organized reference that clarifies the purpose of core Azure services using refined language, fresh headings, and a helpful context for learning or certification.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Framework
Rather than listing services in isolation, this reference groups them by functional area and pairs each with a column titled “Primary Use Case”, giving practical insight into when you’d choose that service.
Azure Compute Platform
Services that power applications, automation, and scalable workloads:
| Service | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| Azure App Service | Hosting web or mobile applications without infrastructure management |
| Azure Static Web Apps | Rapid full-stack deployment from a code repository using serverless APIs |
| Azure Virtual Machines | Deploying traditional Windows or Linux servers for broad workloads |
| Virtual Machine Scale Sets | Auto-scaling identical VMs for high-demand applications |
| Spot Virtual Machines | Reducing cost for non-critical, interruptible workloads like batch jobs |
| Azure Functions | Executing event-driven logic without provisioning servers |
| Azure Container Apps | Running microservices in managed, serverless containers |
| Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) | Operating Kubernetes clusters in a managed environment |
| Service Fabric | Building complex microservices architecture with containers or reliable services |
Azure Networking Suite
Services that enable secure, performant connectivity across environments:
| Service | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| Azure Virtual Network | Establishing private, isolated networks for resource communication |
| Azure Bastion | Secure RDP/SSH access to VMs with no public-facing endpoints |
| Azure Private Link | Accessing Azure services via private endpoints in your virtual network |
| Azure Firewall | Centralized control over inbound and outbound network traffic |
| Azure Load Balancer | Distributing network traffic for high availability or performance |
| Azure ExpressRoute | Dedicated private links between on-premises infrastructure and Azure |
| Azure Traffic Manager | Routing user requests across regions to optimize latency and resilience |
| Azure VPN Gateway | Extending on-prem networks to Azure over secure VPN links |
Azure Data & Storage Options
Services for resilient, scalable storage and messaging across workloads:
| Service | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| Azure Blob Storage | Storing unstructured data like files, backups, and logs |
| Azure Files | Enabling lift-and-shift applications to use SMB file shares |
| Azure Queue Storage | Handling asynchronous messaging between application components |
| Azure Managed Disks | Persistent storage volumes for virtual machines |
Intelligent Database Offerings
Managed database services that scale and simplify data handling:
| Service | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| Azure SQL Database | Hosting relational databases with built-in scaling and intelligence |
| Azure Cosmos DB | Supporting multi-model, globally distributed NoSQL workloads |
| Azure Cache for Redis | Accelerating performance by caching data in-memory |
| Azure Database for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB | Managed open-source database options with enterprise features |
| Azure SQL Edge | Providing local, lightweight database workloads at the edge with analytics |
Identity & Security Toolset
Ensuring secure identities, permissions, and threat protection:
| Service | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Entra ID | Managing user identities, access, and authentication securely |
| Azure Information Protection | Classifying and safeguarding sensitive data across environments |
| Azure Key Vault | Securing application secrets, certificates, and cryptographic keys |
| Microsoft Defender for Cloud | Detecting threats and vulnerabilities across Azure and hybrid systems |
| Microsoft Sentinel | Offering cloud-native SIEM and automated security response |
| Azure DDoS Protection | Mitigating denial-of-service attacks targeting Azure-hosted services |
Developer & DevOps Tools
Integrated tools designed for building, testing, and deploying cloud-native applications:
| Service | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| Azure DevOps | Managing CI/CD pipelines, code repositories, and project tracking |
| Azure DevTest Labs | Rapidly provisioning sandbox environments for development or testing |
| App Configuration | Centralizing feature flags and configuration settings for applications |
| Visual Studio | Developing complex, Azure-integrated applications (Windows IDE) |
| Visual Studio Code | Lightweight, cross-platform editor ideal for cloud-native development |
Observability & Optimization
Tools to monitor performance, diagnose issues, and optimize your Azure environment:
| Service | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| Azure Monitor | Collecting and analyzing telemetry across Azure and on-premises assets |
| Application Insights | Monitoring live applications to detect issues and monitor performance |
| Azure Advisor | Providing personalized recommendations for cost, performance, and security |
| Log Analytics | Querying operational logs to identify patterns or troubleshoot problems |
Migration, Hybrid, and Edge Solutions
Supporting migration strategies and hybrid cloud models:
| Service | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| Azure Migrate | Centralized tools to evaluate and plan migrations to Azure |
| Azure Database Migration Service | Simplifying database migration from on-prem or other clouds |
| Azure Data Box | Transferring large-scale data to Azure using physical storage devices |
| Azure Arc | Extending Azure control and services to on-premises and multi-cloud environments |
| Azure Stack | Delivering Azure services from your own data center for hybrid scenarios |
Approach for Learners and Practitioners
Rather than memorizing service names, focus on functional domains and situational use cases. When faced with a scenario such as deploying a scalable web app, securing sensitive data, or migrating legacy systems, ask these questions:
- Which category fits: compute, storage, networking, identity, database?
- Which services solve that need?
- What are the trade‑offs in complexity, cost, and management?
This method maps 50+ service names into just a handful of practical contexts making Azure approachable rather than overwhelming.
