Category: News

Microsoft has announced significant updates to Azure Load Testing, making it both more cost-effective and user-friendly.

Key Highlights:

• Price Reduction: As of March 1, 2025, the cost for consumption beyond 10,000 Virtual User Hours (VUH) has decreased from $0.075 to $0.06 per VUH. Additionally, the minimum monthly charges have been eliminated, so you only pay for the VUH you use.​
• Usage Limits: Administrators can now set monthly VUH limits for their resources. Once the limit is reached, Azure Load Testing will automatically halt any in-progress tests, preventing unexpected charges and providing better cost predictability.​azure.microsoft.com

These updates empower users to conduct large-scale load tests without worrying about budget overruns.

Blog: Azure Load Testing
Pricing: Azure Load Testing – Pricing | Microsoft Azure

Azure Logic Apps provide a powerful platform for automating tasks and connecting diverse systems through customizable workflows. This latest guide delves into the process of sending messages to a Confluent Cloud utilizing Azure Logic Apps. While Logic Apps don’t currently offer a built-in Confluent Cloud connector, the hurdle is overcome by leveraging Kafka’s REST API. By integrating the HTTP action within your Logic App workflow, you can send messages to a Kafka topic effectively. This approach allows you to automate the production of records by calling the Kafka Confluent API, relevant for organizations seeking streamlined operations.

To set this up, ensure you have access to an Azure account and the Confluent Cloud, a managed service for Kafka. Start by creating a new Kafka cluster and topic within the Confluent Cloud, and generate an API key and secret which will serve as credentials. These credentials will be base64 encoded and included in the REST API calls within your Logic App, ensuring secure communication. The Logic App workflow begins with an HTTP request trigger, followed by an HTTP action configured to send a JSON payload to the Kafka topic. This method ensures successful message delivery to the designated Kafka topic, observable through the Confluent Cloud UI.

Blog: Sending Messages to Confluent Cloud topic using Logic App | Microsoft Community Hub
Documentation: Confluent Cloud Quick Start

Navigating the complexities of Azure cloud services can feel like deciphering an alien language. Enter Azure Animations, a project dedicated to transforming intricate Azure concepts into engaging and easily digestible animations. Crafted by Microsoft Technical Trainers and Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs), these animations breathe life into topics spanning Developers, DevSecOps – Security, Cloud, and AI. ​

Why Tune In?

• Visual Learning: Animations simplify complex ideas, making them accessible to both beginners and seasoned professionals
• Expert Craftsmanship: Developed by industry experts, ensuring accuracy and relevance
• Engaging Content: A fun and interactive approach to learning Azure’s vast ecosystem

Explore the full range of animations and resources on their GitHub page: ​

Whether you’re looking to demystify cloud architecture, explore security best practices, or dive into AI innovations, Azure Animations is here to help you visualize and understand the most important concepts in the tech world. ​

Note: The Azure Animations project is open-source and welcomes contributions from the community.

GitHub: AzureAnimations/AzureAnimations.github.io: Azure Animations, where we make hard-to-understand Azure cloud concepts easier and more fun to learn!

Microsoft has announced the retirement of Bing Search APIs integrated with your Language Model (LLM) effective March 6, 2025. This change means that all existing instances of the Bing Search APIs leveraging LLM technology will be fully decommissioned, leaving developers and businesses without access to this specific service. It’s a significant move in Microsoft’s evolving strategy for AI and search capabilities, potentially pushing users towards new or alternative solutions.

As of the retirement date, the product will no longer be available for continuing usage, nor will it accept new customer signups. Microsoft has advised users to stay informed about this update and explore other offerings that may fit their search needs in the future. This announcement highlights the dynamic nature of technology services and the importance of staying adaptable to the changing landscape.

News: Azure updates | Microsoft Azure
Documentation: Use and Display requirements of Bing Search APIs, with your LLM – Bing Search Services | Microsoft Learn

Microsoft is stepping up container security with new features in Defender for Cloud, tackling risks at every stage of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Here are the key takeaways from their latest post:

• Shift-left Security with CLI Tools – A new command-line tool lets developers scan container images for vulnerabilities early in the build phase, reducing security risks before deployment.
• Expanded Registry Scanning – Defender for Cloud now supports third-party registries like Docker Hub and JFrog Artifactory, ensuring no container gets deployed unchecked.
• Azure Kubernetes Security Dashboard – A new AKS Security Dashboard offers better visibility into container security risks, helping teams quickly detect and resolve vulnerabilities.

Microsoft’s end-to-end approach ensures security is built into the container supply chain, not just bolted on afterward. Check out the full post for all the details.

Blog: Secure containers software supply chain across the SDLC | Microsoft Community Hub

NetApp’s Cloud Volumes ONTAP (CVO) brings scalable, cost-efficient storage to Microsoft Azure, offering up to 70% cost savings with thin provisioning, compression, and tiering. Whether you’re optimizing storage, securing data, or handling disaster recovery, CVO makes life easier with NFS, SMB, and iSCSI support – perfect for multi-cloud setups.

Why It Matters

• Seamless integration with Azure services for high-performance workloads
• Automated storage management reduces operational headaches
• Flexible deployment via Azure Marketplace or NetApp Cloud Central

News and HowTo: Rapid Cloud Volumes ONTAP setup in Azure expedites customer onboarding | NetApp Blog

DeepSeek R1 Models: Bringing AI Muscle to Your Copilot+ PC

Microsoft is stepping up its AI game by introducing the DeepSeek R1 7B and 14B distilled models for Copilot+ PCs via Azure AI Foundry. This move aims to seamlessly integrate advanced AI capabilities from the cloud to the edge, enhancing user experiences across the board.

What’s the Big Deal?

• Enhanced AI Performance: These models, with 7 billion and 14 billion parameters respectively, are designed to run efficiently on Neural Processing Units (NPUs). This means faster, more efficient AI operations on your device.
• Broader Compatibility: Initially available on Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X, the rollout will soon include devices with Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Ryzen processors.

Why Should You Care?

For developers and businesses, this integration offers a robust platform to build and deploy AI applications directly on user devices, reducing latency and enhancing performance. It’s like having a personal AI assistant that’s always ready to help, without relying solely on cloud connectivity.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has been making waves with its cost-effective R1 model, rivaling offerings from industry giants. Microsoft’s swift integration of R1 into its Azure AI Foundry platform underscores its commitment to staying at the forefront of AI innovation.

Looking Ahead

As AI continues to evolve, the collaboration between hardware advancements and sophisticated models like DeepSeek R1 ensures that users have access to powerful tools, whether they’re in the cloud or right on their desktops. This development not only democratizes AI but also sets the stage for more personalized and responsive computing experiences.

News: Available today: DeepSeek R1 7B & 14B distilled models for Copilot+ PCs via Azure AI Foundry – further expanding AI on the edge – Windows Developer Blog

HashiCorp’s Terraform 1.11 introduces a nifty feature: write-only arguments. These allow you to input sensitive data—like passwords or API keys—without them lingering in your Terraform state files. It’s like sharing a secret that even Terraform promises to forget.

Key Highlights:

• Ephemeral Values: Write-only arguments accept temporary data that isn’t stored in the plan or state. This ensures sensitive information remains transient and secure
• Schema Adjustments: To implement a write-only argument, set the WriteOnly field to true in your schema. Remember, these can’t be Computed or have defaults
• Provider Responsibilities: Providers should handle these ephemeral values appropriately, using them as needed and ensuring they’re not stored post-application

By leveraging write-only arguments, Terraform users can enhance security, ensuring that sensitive data remains as fleeting as a developer’s promise to “just one more deploy.”

News & Documentation: Terraform 1.11 brings ephemeral values to managed resources with write-only arguments

In the high-stakes world of semiconductor design, where every nanometer counts, Azure NetApp Files (ANF) has emerged as the secret sauce powering rapid innovation. Think of it as the backstage crew ensuring the rockstars (our chips) hit the stage on time.

Why Should You Care?

• Blazing Speeds: ANF delivers up to 652,260 IOPS with latencies under 2 milliseconds. Translation: your simulations and verifications now run faster than your morning coffee brews
• Scalability: Handling data that grows faster than a teenager’s appetite? ANF scales effortlessly, supporting compute clusters up to 50,000 cores
• Simplicity: With user-friendly management via the Azure Portal or automation APIs, even your grandma could set it up (though we recommend letting the IT folks handle it)
• Cost Efficiency: Features like cool access tiers and reserved capacity mean you won’t need to auction off office chairs to afford premium storage
• Security: Your data remains as guarded as the secret formula for your favorite soda, thanks to enterprise-grade security measures

Real-World Applause

The Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure team has been leveraging ANF for their chip development, lauding its performance and reliability. Mike Lemus, Director of Silicon Development Compute Solutions at Microsoft, notes that ANF provides the scalable performance and reliability needed for seamless integration with Azure’s Electronic Design Automation tools.

The Bottom Line

Azure NetApp Files isn’t just a storage solution; it’s the unsung hero accelerating semiconductor innovation. By offering low latency, high throughput, and seamless scalability, ANF ensures that chip designers can focus on what they do best: crafting the next generation of processors that make our gadgets faster, smarter, and, dare we say, cooler.

News: Azure NetApp Files: Revolutionizing silicon design for high-performance computing | Microsoft Azure Blog
Architecture best practices: Architecture Best Practices for Azure NetApp Files – Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework | Microsoft Learn
Documentation: Azure NetApp Files documentation | Microsoft Learn

Want to level up your AI skills? Microsoft’s Azure AI Engineer Associate certification (AI-102) proves your expertise in designing and implementing AI solutions on Azure—making you a hot commodity in the AI-driven job market.

How to Prepare:

• Know the exam scope: Focus on Azure AI solutions, computer vision, NLP, and generative AI
• Hands-on practice: Build real projects using Azure AI services
• Test yourself: Use Microsoft’s free practice assessments.
• Stay updated: Check for exam changes and explore learning paths like “Build AI Apps with Azure”

With the right prep, you’ll be AI-certified and job-ready before summer’s out!

Blog: Get certified as an Azure AI Engineer (AI-102) this summer? | Microsoft Community Hub
Learning Path: Plans | Microsoft Learn
Study guide: Study guide for Exam AI-102: Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution | Microsoft Learn
Practice Assessment: Practice Assessments for Microsoft Certifications | Microsoft Learn