ARM template resources section in Azure - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of the resources section in an ARM template?

The resources section defines the Azure resources you want to create or manage, like virtual machines, storage accounts, or networks.

beginner

How do you specify the type of an Azure resource in the resources section?

You use the type property to specify the resource type, such as Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts.

beginner

What property in the resources section uniquely identifies a resource?

The name property uniquely identifies the resource within its resource group.

intermediate

Why is the apiVersion property important in the resources section?

It tells Azure which version of the resource API to use, ensuring the template works with the correct features and syntax.

intermediate

How can you define dependencies between resources in the resources section?

Use the dependsOn property to list resources that must be created before the current one.

What does the resources section in an ARM template contain?

A Network traffic rules

B User access permissions

C Billing information

D Definitions of Azure resources to deploy

The resources section lists the Azure resources you want to create or update.

Which property specifies the Azure resource type in the resources section?

A type

B dependsOn

C location

D name

The type property defines the kind of Azure resource, like storage or VM.

What is the role of the apiVersion property in a resource definition?

A Defines the resource name

B Sets the Azure subscription

C Specifies the API version for the resource

D Lists resource dependencies

apiVersion ensures the template uses the correct resource API version.

How do you ensure one resource is created before another in an ARM template?

A Change the <code>name</code> property

B Use the <code>dependsOn</code> property

C Set <code>location</code> property

D Modify the <code>type</code> property

dependsOn lists resources that must be deployed first.

Which property uniquely identifies a resource within its group?

A name

B type

C apiVersion

D location

The name property uniquely identifies the resource.

Explain the key properties you must include in the resources section of an ARM template.

Think about what Azure needs to know to create a resource.

Describe how the dependsOn property affects resource deployment order in ARM templates.

Consider why some resources must be ready before others.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the resources section in an ARM template?

easy

A. To list all cloud parts to create or update

B. To write scripts for manual deployment

C. To store user credentials securely

D. To monitor cloud resource usage

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of the resources section

   The resources section defines what cloud parts (like servers, databases) to create or update automatically.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this role

   Only To list all cloud parts to create or update correctly describes this purpose. Other options describe unrelated tasks.

3. Final Answer:

   To list all cloud parts to create or update -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Resources section = list cloud parts [OK]

Hint: Resources section always defines cloud parts to deploy [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking resources section stores credentials
• Confusing resources with monitoring tools
• Assuming resources section is for scripts

2. Which of the following is a required property inside each resource in the resources section of an ARM template?

easy

A. version

B. dependsOn

C. location

D. tags

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify required properties for each resource

   Every Azure resource requires type, apiVersion, and name. The location property is required for regional resources to specify where the resource is created.

2. Step 2: Check options for required property

   location (location) is required. version is incorrect; the correct property is apiVersion. tags and dependsOn are optional.

3. Final Answer:

   location -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Location is required for resource placement [OK]

Hint: Location is required for regional resources [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing apiVersion with version
• Assuming tags are mandatory
• Thinking dependsOn is always required

3. Given this resource snippet in an ARM template's resources section:

{
  "type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts",
  "apiVersion": "2022-09-01",
  "name": "mystorageaccount",
  "location": "eastus",
  "sku": { "name": "Standard_LRS" },
  "kind": "StorageV2"
}

What will happen when this template is deployed?

medium

A. Deployment fails due to missing 'dependsOn' property

B. A new storage account named 'mystorageaccount' is created in East US

C. The storage account is created but with default SKU

D. The template will error because 'kind' is invalid

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze resource properties

   The resource defines a storage account with a valid type, apiVersion, name, location, sku, and kind. All required fields are present and valid.

2. Step 2: Understand deployment behavior

   Since all required properties are correct, deployment will create the storage account named 'mystorageaccount' in 'eastus' with the specified SKU and kind. dependsOn is optional here.

3. Final Answer:

   A new storage account named 'mystorageaccount' is created in East US -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Valid resource properties = successful creation [OK]

Hint: Check required fields; missing dependsOn is okay if no dependencies [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking dependsOn is always mandatory
• Assuming default SKU applies if specified
• Believing 'kind' property is invalid

4. You have this resource in your ARM template's resources section:

{
  "type": "Microsoft.Web/sites",
  "apiVersion": "2021-02-01",
  "name": "mywebapp",
  "location": "westus"
}

Deployment fails with an error about missing properties. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. Missing 'properties' section with site configuration

B. Missing required 'kind' property for web app

C. Missing 'dependsOn' property for resource order

D. Missing 'sku' property defining pricing tier

Solution

1. Step 1: Review required properties for Microsoft.Web/sites

   Besides type, apiVersion, name, and location, a web app resource requires a properties section to define site settings.

2. Step 2: Identify missing required section

   The snippet lacks the properties section, causing deployment failure. sku and dependsOn are optional, and kind defaults to 'app' if omitted.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing 'properties' section with site configuration -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Web app needs properties section [OK]

Hint: Web apps require properties section; check for it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming dependsOn is mandatory
• Confusing kind as required
• Ignoring properties section necessity

5. You want to deploy two resources in an ARM template: a storage account and a web app that uses that storage. How do you ensure the web app deploys only after the storage account is ready?

hard

A. Use the same 'apiVersion' for both resources

B. Place the web app resource before the storage account in the resources array

C. Set the web app's 'location' to the storage account's location

D. Add the storage account's name in the web app's 'dependsOn' property

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand resource deployment order control

   ARM templates use the dependsOn property to specify that one resource must finish deploying before another starts.

2. Step 2: Apply dependsOn for correct order

   Adding the storage account's resource name in the web app's dependsOn ensures the web app waits for the storage account to be ready.

3. Final Answer:

   Add the storage account's name in the web app's 'dependsOn' property -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   dependsOn controls deployment order [OK]

Hint: Use dependsOn to order resource deployment [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking resource order in array controls deployment
• Believing apiVersion affects deployment order
• Assuming location controls deployment sequence