Microsoft Azure Monitoring

Background

Monitoring a distributed architecture is complex and challenging. With cloud deployments mostly based on distributed architectures, it would be difficult for administrators to monitor resources using different tools. Also, monitoring the availability and performance of various applications in different environments requires specialized technical skills. Monitoring Azure resources is not an exception.

IT-Conductor provides an out-of-the-box solution to monitor and implement automation solutions for your Azure resources and the other components in your entire system landscape.

How to Add IT-Conductor as an App in Azure Subscription

1. In Microsoft Azure, navigate to Azure Active Directory > Properties. 2. Fill out the required fields, then click Save. Copy and note the AAD Directory ID: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx.

Figure 1: Properties View in Azure Active Directory

3. Register IT-Conductor as a New App by navigating to App Registrations > Add New App Registration. Copy and note the IT-Conductor Application ID: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx.

Figure 2: App Registration Details in Azure

4. Navigate to Settings > API Access > Keys (right panel). Copy and note the key value for IT-Conductor: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Figure 3: API Access Keys View in Azure

5. Navigate to All services > General > Subscriptions. Then click on the one you are planning to use. Copy and note the Subscription ID: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx.

Figure 4: All Services View in Azure

6. In Azure Portal, navigate to Access Control (IAM). Then click Add (+) to add the appropriate role assignments.

Figure 5: Add Permissions View in Azure

Required role assignments for Azure Monitoring in IT-Conductor:

Virtual Machine Contributor - gives rights to read, start/stop, etc. for VMs Monitoring Reader - gives access to monitoring data

Note:

• IT-Conductor won't show in the list of users initially. You have to type in the Select field before it shows up.

• Additional roles may be required as we progress the development of features for IT-Conductor.

How to Configure Azure Connections in IT-Conductor

1. In IT-Conductor, navigate to Dashboards > Administrator.

2. Scroll down to the bottom left of the page and locate the tile for Azure Tenants. To add a new tenant, click the "+" icon.

Figure 6: Administrators View in IT-Conductor

3. Follow the prompts in the Create New Azure Tenant wizard using the values you noted when you added IT-Conductor as an application in Azure.

Figure 7: Create New Azure Tenant Wizard in IT-Conductor

Important: Ensure the Gateway is installed and configured with outbound internet HTTPS access in your network.

4. Wait for the discovery to take place and start showing the Azure environment on the IT-Conductor Service Grid in about 15 minutes.

Figure 8: Azure Tenants Service Grid View in IT-Conductor

5. The Azure resource information can be seen by accessing the "View Service Info" icon.

Figure 9: Azure Resource Information View in IT-Conductor

6. Automation actions are also available from the same service grid view (i.e., Start if the VM is Stopped/Deallocated status, or Stop/Deallocate if in Started status).

Figure 10: Actions View for Virtual Machines in IT-Conductor

7. When you click Commands, you should see the status of each of the actions (i.e., Start/Stop/Deallocate) executed on the Resource Batch Commands page.

Figure 11: Resource Batch Commands in IT-Conductor

After a few minutes, you can verify the Azure resource status in IT-Conductor (same service grid in Step 4) or check on your Azure Portal.

Note: The Start/Stop/Deallocate actions can be automated in several ways: On-demand, Scheduled, Process Integration, or via Recovery Actions.