Summary

In the first chapter, we learned that there are different distros or flavors of Linux available depending on the user requirements. This chapter was more of an overview of popular Linux distributions and how Linux on Azure works. We also talked about commercial and free open-source software.

There are several advantages to using commercial distributions of Linux. Since we are paying for these subscriptions, it is expected that they provide additional features that are not found out of the box in free distributions. These add-ons include support, extra modules, and extended customization options. This chapter threw light on these areas as well.

We looked closely at Linux on Azure. We started off with Azure Marketplace and the plethora of images it has. After that, we introduced the term "endorsed distributions"; this is where Microsoft works with different vendors such as Red Hat, Canonical, and SUSE to bring their Linux images to the cloud. Microsoft recommends using an endorsed image for your production deployment. We also discussed the technical support matrix and the scope of support given by Microsoft Support. We saw some scenarios where vendors need to be engaged for the resolution to a problem.

After covering the Linux distros on Azure, we talked about the licensing models available in Linux and which one is best for you depending on the type of deployment. We also plotted a graph to portray the potential savings in each of the models. The last part of the chapter was more hands-on, where we saw how we can use the Azure CLI to find the different VM images available on Azure. However, the range of choice does not stop here; if you are not able to find the image you are looking for, Azure allows you the freedom to bring your own image.

Linux on Azure is an extensive topic and there are many books that clearly discuss how Linux administration can be done on Azure. This book is geared more toward the migration and assessment of Linux workloads. The licensing models and distros were explained to help you understand how things are done in the Azure realm.

In the next chapter, we will start to talk about migration. Many organizations begin to move to the cloud without proper assessment or planning. Planning and assessment are the cornerstones of migration and they need to be done properly before moving to the cloud. The planning phase is more about getting to know the capacity and checking prerequisites, while assessment is done using assessment tools to verify whether your workloads are ready for Azure or if they need any sort of refactoring first. With that said, we will talk more about these strategies and steps in the next chapter. Keep on reading!