Azure CLI installation and login - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

What is the primary purpose of the Azure CLI?

Choose the best description of what the Azure CLI is used for.

A It is a command-line tool to manage Azure resources and services.

B It is a graphical interface for designing Azure virtual machines.

C It is a programming language for writing Azure functions.

D It is a database service for storing Azure logs.

💡 Hint

Think about how you interact with Azure using commands.

The Azure CLI is a command-line tool that lets you create, manage, and monitor Azure resources using commands typed in a terminal.

❓ Configuration

intermediate

Which command logs you into Azure using the CLI?

Select the exact Azure CLI command that initiates the login process.

A az login

B az connect

C az signin

D azure login

💡 Hint

The command starts with 'az' and is followed by a simple word meaning 'enter'.

The command 'az login' opens a browser window or prompts for credentials to authenticate your Azure CLI session.

❓ service_behavior

advanced

What happens if you run 'az login' without a browser available?

Choose the correct behavior of the Azure CLI when logging in on a machine without a browser.

A It opens a text-based login prompt in the terminal.

B It fails immediately with a browser error.

C It logs in automatically without user interaction.

D It shows a device login code and URL to authenticate on another device.

💡 Hint

Think about how you can log in on a server without a graphical interface.

When no browser is available, 'az login' provides a code and URL for device login, allowing authentication from another device.

❓ security

advanced

Which Azure CLI command logs you in using a service principal securely?

Select the correct command to log in with a service principal using Azure CLI.

A az sp create-for-rbac

B az login --service-principal -u <appId> -p <password> --tenant <tenantId>

C az login --sp <appId> --secret <password>

D az login --user <username> --password <password>

💡 Hint

Look for the option that uses --service-principal and tenant info.

The correct command uses --service-principal with app ID, password, and tenant ID to authenticate securely.

✅ Best Practice

expert

After installing Azure CLI, which command verifies the installed version?

Choose the exact Azure CLI command that shows the installed version number.

A az version

B az show version

C az --version

D az get-version

💡 Hint

The command uses two dashes before 'version'.

The command 'az --version' displays the Azure CLI version and installed extensions.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the Azure CLI tool?

easy

A. To manage Azure resources from your computer

B. To create virtual machines automatically

C. To write code in the cloud

D. To monitor internet speed

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Azure CLI functionality

   Azure CLI is designed to let users manage Azure cloud resources easily from their local machine.

2. Step 2: Compare options with purpose

   Only To manage Azure resources from your computer correctly describes this purpose; others describe unrelated tasks.

3. Final Answer:

   To manage Azure resources from your computer -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Azure CLI = Manage Azure resources [OK]

Hint: Azure CLI is for managing Azure, not coding or speed tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Azure CLI writes code
• Confusing Azure CLI with monitoring tools
• Assuming it only creates virtual machines

2. Which command correctly starts the Azure CLI login process?

easy

A. az start

B. az login

C. azure login

D. az connect

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Azure CLI login command

   The official command to sign in is az login.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   Options B, C, and D are incorrect or invalid commands.

3. Final Answer:

   az login -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Login command = az login [OK]

Hint: Login always uses 'az login' command [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'azure login' instead of 'az login'
• Trying 'az start' or 'az connect' which don't exist
• Typing commands with wrong spelling

3. What happens after you run az login in your terminal?

medium

A. You are prompted to open a browser and enter a code to authenticate

B. Azure CLI immediately shows your subscription details

C. The CLI installs Azure services automatically

D. Your computer restarts to complete login

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the login flow

   Running az login opens a prompt with a code and URL for browser authentication.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Options A, C, and D describe incorrect or unrelated behaviors.

3. Final Answer:

   You are prompted to open a browser and enter a code to authenticate -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   az login = browser code prompt [OK]

Hint: Login needs browser code entry, not instant details [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting immediate subscription info
• Thinking CLI installs services automatically
• Believing computer restarts after login

4. You ran az login but get an error saying 'command not found'. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. You need to restart your computer first

B. You typed the command incorrectly as 'az logon'

C. Your internet connection is down

D. Azure CLI is not installed or not added to system PATH

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the error message

   'command not found' means the system cannot find the Azure CLI program.

2. Step 2: Identify common causes

   This usually happens if Azure CLI is not installed or its folder is not in the system PATH.

3. Final Answer:

   Azure CLI is not installed or not added to system PATH -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Command not found = CLI missing or PATH issue [OK]

Hint: Check installation and PATH if 'command not found' error appears [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming internet causes 'command not found'
• Thinking a restart fixes missing command
• Confusing 'az login' with 'az logon'

5. You want to automate Azure login in a script without opening a browser. Which method should you use?

hard

A. Install Azure CLI and skip login step

B. Run az login and manually enter credentials each time

C. Use a service principal with az login --service-principal

D. Use az login --interactive to avoid browser

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand automation needs

   Automated scripts cannot handle interactive browser login, so a non-interactive method is needed.

2. Step 2: Identify correct login method

   Using a service principal with az login --service-principal allows script-based login without browser.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   A skips login which fails commands, B requires manual input, D still opens browser.

4. Final Answer:

   Use a service principal with az login --service-principal -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Automate login = service principal login [OK]

Hint: Automate login with service principal, not interactive login [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying interactive login in scripts
• Skipping login step in automation
• Confusing service principal with user login