Custom domains and SSL in Azure - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Custom domains and SSL

Start: User owns a domain

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Add custom domain to Azure service

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Verify domain ownership

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Configure DNS records

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Enable SSL certificate

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Azure provisions SSL

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Service accessible via HTTPS

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Renew SSL automatically or manually

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End

This flow shows how a user adds a custom domain to an Azure service, verifies ownership, configures DNS, enables SSL, and accesses the service securely.

Execution Sample

Azure

az webapp config hostname add --webapp-name myapp --resource-group mygroup --hostname www.example.com
az webapp config ssl bind --certificate-thumbprint ABC123 --ssl-type SNI --name myapp --resource-group mygroup

Commands to add a custom domain to an Azure Web App and bind an SSL certificate to enable HTTPS.

Process Table

Step	Action	Input/Command	Result	Next Step
1	Add custom domain	az webapp config hostname add --webapp-name myapp --resource-group mygroup --hostname www.example.com	Domain www.example.com added to myapp	Verify domain ownership
2	Verify domain ownership	Check DNS TXT or CNAME records	Ownership verified	Configure DNS records
3	Configure DNS records	Add CNAME www to Azure app default domain	DNS records updated	Enable SSL certificate
4	Enable SSL certificate	az webapp config ssl bind --certificate-thumbprint ABC123 --ssl-type SNI --name myapp --resource-group mygroup	SSL certificate bound to myapp	Azure provisions SSL
5	Azure provisions SSL	Automatic process	SSL certificate active and HTTPS enabled	Service accessible via HTTPS
6	Access service	Browse https://www.example.com	Secure connection established	Renew SSL automatically or manually
7	Renew SSL	Automatic renewal configured	SSL certificate renewed before expiry	End

💡 SSL certificate is active and service is securely accessible via the custom domain.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 5	After Step 6	Final
CustomDomain	None	www.example.com added	Ownership verified	DNS configured	SSL bound	SSL active	HTTPS accessible	SSL renewal configured
SSLStatus	Not enabled	Not enabled	Not enabled	Not enabled	Bound	Active	Active	Renewed automatically

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we need to verify domain ownership before configuring SSL?

Verification ensures you control the domain to prevent misuse. This is shown in step 2 of the execution_table where ownership is confirmed before DNS and SSL setup.

What happens if DNS records are not configured correctly?

The domain won't point to the Azure service, so SSL provisioning and HTTPS access will fail. Step 3 shows DNS configuration is essential before enabling SSL.

Is SSL certificate renewal manual or automatic?

Azure can automatically renew SSL certificates if configured, as shown in step 7. This avoids service interruption due to expired certificates.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, at which step is the SSL certificate bound to the Azure service?

A Step 4

B Step 3

C Step 5

D Step 6

💡 Hint

Check the 'Action' and 'Result' columns in step 4 for SSL binding details.

According to variable_tracker, what is the SSLStatus after step 5?

A Not enabled

B Bound

C Active

D Renewed automatically

💡 Hint

Look at the SSLStatus row under 'After Step 5' column.

If domain ownership verification fails at step 2, what happens next?

A DNS records are configured anyway

B Process stops, no DNS or SSL setup

C SSL certificate is bound

D Service becomes accessible via HTTPS

💡 Hint

Refer to the flow in concept_flow and step 2 in execution_table about verification importance.

Concept Snapshot

Custom domains let you use your own website address with Azure services.
You must verify you own the domain by updating DNS records.
Then configure DNS to point to Azure service.
Bind an SSL certificate to enable secure HTTPS access.
Azure can auto-renew SSL certificates to keep your site secure.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how to add a custom domain and SSL to an Azure service. First, you add the domain to your Azure app. Then you verify ownership by setting DNS records. After verification, you configure DNS to point your domain to Azure. Next, you bind an SSL certificate to enable HTTPS. Azure provisions the SSL certificate automatically. Finally, your service is accessible securely via your custom domain. SSL certificates can be renewed automatically to avoid downtime.