Azure in-depth series: Azure updates 3 January 2022

Jonathan Harris, Cobweb Solutions Architect, writes…

Microsoft Defender for Containers – Preview

• MS Defender for Cloud introduces capabilities to scan and alert on vulnerabilities with Containers.
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/public-preview-microsoft-defender-for-containers-adds-new-capabilities-for-kubernetes/
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/updates/mdfc-november2021-1/

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) GitOps – Preview

• AKS can be configured to pull code updates from a GitOps repository now.
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/public-preview-azure-kubernetes-service-configuration-management-with-gitops/
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/azure-arc/kubernetes/conceptual-gitops-flux2

Azure VMware Solution (AVS) placement policies – Generally Available

• This is the ability to either group VMs together on a particular host server for better performance or to separate VMs that perform the same role on different hosts to mitigate against a failure and increase resiliency.
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/placement-polices-now-available-for-azure-vmware-solution/

Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS) Gen2 soft delete – Generally Available

• Soft delete allows data that has been deleted to be retained for a number of days, to be recovered if required.  This is available in ADSL Gen 2 storage now.
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/soft-delete-for-blobs-capability-for-azure-data-lake-storage-is-now-generally-available/

PostgreSQL Hyperscale new certifications – Generally Available

• PostgreSQL now meets the following compliance certifications:
  • HIPA, HITECH, SOC, CFTC, DESC and NHS IG.
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-database-for-postgresql-hyperscale-citus-new-toolkit-certifications-generally-available/

Cosmos DB Python Software Development Kit (SDK) update

• The new SDK introduces performance improvements for Cosmos DB by allowing tasks to run at the same time (asynchronously).
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-cosmos-db-python-sdk-async-io-support-in-public-preview/

Azure SQL updates – Generally Available

• SQL Managed Instance – Long term backups are available.  Backups for Weekly, Monthly or Annual retention.
• SQL Server outbound network restriction can now be limited to particular Full Qualified Domain Names.
• SQL DB redundancy improvements, now includes GRS, ZRS subject to region availability.
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-sql-general-availability-updates-for-december-2021/

Key Vault automatic key rotation – Preview

• Keys are used to authenticate to services in Azure such as Storage Accounts etc. This updated makes it is possible to create an automatic key rotation policy to refresh the keys used during this process.
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/automated-key-rotation-in-azure-key-vault-is-now-in-preview/

Azure AD Connect updates – Preview

• Multi-tenant sync support – The ability to sync Windows AD accounts to multiple AD Tenants, however only one AD tenant can write-back to the Windows AD objects.
• Azure AD Connect Cloud sync can now perform a password writeback from Azure AD.
• More information on the new features can be found in the link below:
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/active-directory/hybrid/plan-connect-topologies#multiple-azure-ad-tenants