Interview questions
Azure Developer
Here is a set of Azure Developer interview questions that can aid in identifying the most qualified candidates experienced in Azure development, suitable for building and deploying cloud-based applications.
Introduction
Azure is a cloud computing platform offered by Microsoft. It provides a wide range of services and tools that enable organizations to build, deploy, and manage applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers. Azure offers a comprehensive suite of services, including virtual machines, storage, databases, networking, analytics, and AI capabilities. It is known for its scalability, reliability, and global reach, making it a popular choice for organizations looking to leverage the power of the cloud.
Questions
What is Azure Resource Manager (ARM)?
Azure Resource Manager (ARM) is the deployment and management service in Azure that allows you to create, manage, and organize resources in a declarative manner. It provides a consistent management layer and enables you to deploy and manage resources as a group, known as an ARM template.
How can you scale an Azure Web App?
Azure Web Apps can be scaled vertically and horizontally. Vertical scaling involves changing the size of the virtual machine instance associated with the web app, while horizontal scaling involves increasing or decreasing the number of instances running the app. Question: What are Azure Functions and when would you use them? Answer: Azure Functions is a serverless computing service in Azure that allows you to run event-driven code without managing the underlying infrastructure. It is ideal for executing small pieces of code in response to events, such as data changes, timer triggers, or HTTP requests.
How can you secure data in Azure Storage?
Azure Storage provides several security features to protect data, such as encryption at rest using Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE), encryption in transit using SSL/TLS, and shared access signatures (SAS) for fine-grained access control.
How can you secure data in Azure Storage?
Azure Storage provides several security features to protect data, such as encryption at rest using Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE), encryption in transit using SSL/TLS, and shared access signatures (SAS) for fine-grained access control.
Explain the difference between Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed, scalable, and intelligent relational database service in Azure. It is suitable for modern cloud applications. On the other hand, Azure SQL Managed Instance provides a fully managed instance of SQL Server in Azure with native virtual network (VNet) integration. It is designed for migrating on-premises SQL Server workloads to Azure.
How would you optimize the performance of an Azure virtual machine?
The candidate should mention techniques such as selecting the appropriate virtual machine size, optimizing disk I/O, using managed disks, leveraging caching mechanisms, and implementing auto-scaling based on resource utilization.
Suppose an Azure virtual machine is experiencing high CPU usage. How would you troubleshoot and resolve the issue?
The candidate should mention steps like analyzing performance metrics, identifying resource-intensive processes, optimizing code or configurations, increasing the VM size, or adding additional VM instances.
You need to deploy a highly available web application in Azure. What services and configurations would you use to achieve this?
The candidate should mention using Azure App Service with multiple instances or Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) for containerized applications, configuring load balancing, setting up Azure Traffic Manager for global load balancing, and implementing Azure Front Door for application-level routing and failover.
How would you implement automated backups for an Azure SQL Database?
The candidate should mention utilizing Azure SQL Database's automated backups feature, which creates regular backups and retains them based on the defined retention period. They should also mention setting up long-term retention using Azure Backup or exporting backups to Azure Blob storage.
What steps would you take to secure an Azure virtual network?
The candidate should mention strategies like implementing network security groups (NSGs) to control inbound and outbound traffic, using virtual network service endpoints and private endpoints, configuring network security appliances or virtual appliances, and enabling Azure DDoS Protection.
Describe a challenging project you worked on as an Azure developer. How did you overcome the difficulties?
The candidate should provide an example of a complex Azure project they were involved in, describe the specific challenges faced, and explain the actions they took to overcome those challenges. This question evaluates problem-solving skills and resilience.
Can you tell us about a time when you had to collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver an Azure solution?
The candidate should share an experience where they collaborated with individuals from different teams or departments to achieve a common goal. They should highlight their communication skills, teamwork, and ability to navigate diverse perspectives.
How do you stay updated with the latest Azure features and best practices?
The candidate should mention their approach to continuous learning, such as following Microsoft documentation and blogs, attending webinars or conferences, participating in online communities, or engaging in personal projects to explore new Azure features.
Describe a situation where you had to prioritize multiple Azure projects with tight deadlines. How did you manage your time and ensure successful delivery?
The candidate should share a scenario where they had to juggle multiple Azure projects simultaneously. They should explain their time management techniques, delegation strategies, and how they ensured timely completion of tasks without compromising quality.
Tell us about a time when you encountered an unexpected issue during an Azure deployment or migration. How did you handle it?
The candidate should describe a real-life scenario where they faced an unforeseen problem during an Azure deployment or migration. They should explain their troubleshooting approach, ability to think on their feet, and how they resolved the issue while minimizing disruption.