Azure CLI installation and login - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Azure CLI Installation and Login

📖 Scenario: You are starting to work with Microsoft Azure cloud services. To manage your Azure resources efficiently, you need to install the Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI) on your computer and log in to your Azure account.This project will guide you step-by-step to install Azure CLI and perform a login using the command line.

🎯 Goal: By the end of this project, you will have installed the Azure CLI tool and successfully logged into your Azure account using the CLI commands.

📋 What You'll Learn

Install Azure CLI on your local machine

Verify the Azure CLI installation

Log in to your Azure account using Azure CLI

Confirm successful login by checking the account information

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Azure CLI is a key tool for managing cloud resources quickly and efficiently from the command line without using the Azure portal.

💼 Career

Knowing how to install and use Azure CLI is essential for cloud administrators, developers, and DevOps engineers working with Microsoft Azure.

1

Install Azure CLI

Run the command az --version to check if Azure CLI is already installed. If it is not installed, install Azure CLI by running the command curl -sL https://aka.ms/InstallAzureCLIDeb | sudo bash on Linux or follow the official installer for your OS.

Azure

# Run az --version to check installation
# Your code here

Hint

Use az --version to check if Azure CLI is installed.

If not installed, use the official installation command for your operating system.

2

Verify Azure CLI Installation

After installing Azure CLI, verify the installation by running the command az --version again to confirm the version number appears.

Azure

az --version
# Verify the Azure CLI version by running az --version again
# Your code here

Hint

Run az --version to see the installed Azure CLI version.

3

Login to Azure Account

Use the command az login to log in to your Azure account. This command will open a browser window for you to enter your Azure credentials.

Azure

az --version
# Run az login to start the login process
# Your code here

Hint

Run az login to authenticate your Azure account via the browser.

4

Confirm Successful Login

After logging in, run the command az account show to display details of the logged-in Azure account and confirm the login was successful.

Azure

az login
# Run az account show to confirm login
# Your code here

Hint

Use az account show to verify your Azure account details after login.

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