Tag: Azure Tips

Enable OpenTelemetry in Azure Functions: The Easiest Way via Azure Portal

Good news! As of June 2025, OpenTelemetry is now in preview for Azure Functions. If you want basic observability without writing code or installing libraries, you can now enable distributed tracing directly from the Azure Portal.

This quick guide shows the simplest way to enable OpenTelemetry in Azure Functions using built-in features — no NuGet packages or custom code needed.

What You Need

  • An existing Azure Function App (v4)

  • Application Insights already enabled (most new Function Apps have this by default)

Continue reading “Enable OpenTelemetry in Azure Functions: The Easiest Way via Azure Portal”

Azure Resource Locks – The One Feature You’re Probably Not Using (But Should Be)

Accidental deletion or modification of critical resources in Azure is more common than most teams would like to admit. And unlike on-prem environments, where layers of approvals or access barriers might slow someone down, Azure’s agility can sometimes be its own worst enemy — especially when production workloads are one click away from disappearing.

Enter: Azure Resource Locks — your environment’s seatbelt.

What Are Azure Resource Locks?

Azure Resource Locks are a built-in feature that allow you to restrict operations on resources, resource groups, or subscriptions. These locks act as a last line of defense — even if someone has Contributor or Owner permissions, a lock will block unwanted actions like deletion or configuration changes.

Continue reading “Azure Resource Locks – The One Feature You’re Probably Not Using (But Should Be)”

Simplifying Azure Storage: Choosing the Right Type for Your Data

Azure Storage Types

As an Azure Solutions Architect, I often come across clients who find Azure’s wide range of storage options overwhelming. In this post, I’ll break down Azure Storage into simple terms, so you can make the right choice for your needs.

What is Azure Storage?

Azure Storage is a cloud service that provides scalable, durable, and secure storage solutions. Whether you need to store files, structured data, or backups, Azure Storage has an option for you.

Types of Azure Storage

Here are the main storage options and their typical use cases:

  1. Blob Storage
    Think of this as a place for large files—videos, images, backups, or any unstructured data.

    • When to Use: Hosting static website content, storing backups, or media streaming.
    • Cool Feature: Access tiers (Hot, Cool, and Archive) let you optimise costs based on how often you access the data.

  2. File Storage
    Like a network share in the cloud! Ideal for replacing on-premises file servers.

    • When to Use: Lift-and-shift applications that rely on file shares.
    • Cool Feature: It supports SMB and NFS protocols, so it integrates easily with existing systems.

  3. Table Storage
    A NoSQL store for lightweight, structured data.

    • When to Use: Logging, metadata storage, or applications requiring fast key-value lookups.
    • Cool Feature: It’s incredibly cost-effective and lightning-fast for specific use cases.

  4. Queue Storage
    A messaging store to decouple application components.

    • When to Use: When building distributed apps or processing background tasks.
    • Cool Feature: Works seamlessly with Azure Functions for event-driven architectures.

  5. Disk Storage
    Persistent storage for Virtual Machines (VMs).

    • When to Use: Running workloads like databases, where performance and durability matter.
    • Cool Feature: Options like Ultra Disks offer high throughput for demanding workloads.

Continue reading “Simplifying Azure Storage: Choosing the Right Type for Your Data”