Azure Lab

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Overview

This repository contains Azure administration and infrastructure automation projects built with PowerShell.

The scripts demonstrate repeatable workflows for resource deployment, inventory, reporting, and lab cleanup while emphasizing clear documentation, secure defaults, and operational consistency.

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Business Problem

Cloud environments can become difficult to manage when resources are created manually without consistent naming, documentation, validation, or cleanup procedures.

Infrastructure teams need repeatable deployment methods, accurate resource inventories, and reliable cleanup processes to reduce administrative effort, control costs, and improve consistency.

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Project Objectives

• Automate common Azure administration tasks
• Build reusable cloud infrastructure scripts
• Practice Azure resource management
• Improve PowerShell automation skills
• Document repeatable administrative workflows
• Demonstrate cloud operations and troubleshooting practices

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Skills Demonstrated

• Microsoft Azure
• Azure PowerShell
• Azure Resource Groups
• Azure Storage
• Azure Networking
• Azure Virtual Machines
• Resource Inventory
• Infrastructure Automation
• Cloud Administration
• Operational Documentation
• Cost Awareness
• Troubleshooting

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Repository Structure

azure-lab/
├── docs/
│   ├── architecture.md
│   ├── lab-progress.md
│   └── troubleshooting-notes.md
├── examples/
│   └── sample-output.md
├── images/
│   └── README.md
├── scripts/
│   ├── README.md
│   ├── cleanup-resource-group.ps1
│   ├── create-network-security-group.ps1
│   ├── create-resource-group.ps1
│   ├── create-storage-account.ps1
│   ├── create-virtual-machine.ps1
│   ├── create-virtual-network.ps1
│   ├── get-azure-resource-inventory.ps1
│   ├── list-azure-resources.ps1
│   ├── new-storage-account.ps1
│   └── new-virtual-network.ps1
├── .gitignore
├── CHANGELOG.md
├── LICENSE
└── README.md

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Project Scripts

Script	Description
create-resource-group.ps1	Creates an Azure Resource Group for lab resources.
list-azure-resources.ps1	Lists Azure resources in the current subscription.
cleanup-resource-group.ps1	Removes a lab resource group and its contained resources.
get-azure-resource-inventory.ps1	Creates a structured inventory of Azure resources with optional CSV export.
create-storage-account.ps1	Creates an Azure Storage Account.
new-storage-account.ps1	Creates a validated StorageV2 account using secure defaults.
create-virtual-network.ps1	Creates an Azure Virtual Network and subnet.
new-virtual-network.ps1	Creates a validated virtual network and subnet.
create-network-security-group.ps1	Creates an Azure Network Security Group.
create-virtual-machine.ps1	Deploys an Azure virtual machine for lab use.

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Prerequisites

• Windows PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell 7+
• Azure PowerShell Az module
• Azure account and active subscription
• Appropriate permissions to create or review resources

Install the Azure PowerShell module:

Install-Module Az -Scope CurrentUser

Authenticate:

Connect-AzAccount

Confirm the current subscription:

Get-AzContext

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How to Run

Clone or download the repository and open PowerShell in the repository root.

Create a Resource Group

.\scripts\create-resource-group.ps1

List Azure Resources

.\scripts\list-azure-resources.ps1

Generate an Azure Resource Inventory

.\scripts\get-azure-resource-inventory.ps1

Preview a Storage Account Deployment

.\scripts\new-storage-account.ps1 `
    -ResourceGroupName rg-portfolio-eastus `
    -WhatIf

Preview a Virtual Network Deployment

.\scripts\new-virtual-network.ps1 `
    -ResourceGroupName rg-portfolio-eastus `
    -VirtualNetworkName vnet-portfolio-eastus `
    -WhatIf

Remove Lab Resources

.\scripts\cleanup-resource-group.ps1

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Example Output

Sanitized command and output examples are available in:

examples/sample-output.md

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Cost and Safety

Some scripts create Azure resources that may produce charges.

Before running deployment scripts:

• Confirm the active Azure subscription
• Review the selected region, SKU, and resource names
• Use -WhatIf when supported
• Remove lab resources after testing
• Do not commit credentials, secrets, tenant IDs, subscription IDs, or private resource information

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Documentation

Additional project documentation is available in the docs folder:

• architecture.md
• lab-progress.md
• troubleshooting-notes.md

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Planned Improvements

• Azure Key Vault automation
• Azure Monitor configuration
• Azure Backup configuration
• Azure Policy reporting
• Microsoft Entra ID reporting
• Cost-management reporting
• Resource-tagging validation
• Pester tests
• GitHub Actions validation

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Technologies Used

• Microsoft Azure
• Azure Resource Manager
• Azure PowerShell
• PowerShell
• Git
• GitHub

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Author

Jae McNeal

Senior Systems Administrator

Azure • Microsoft 365 • Active Directory • PowerShell • Infrastructure Automation • Windows Server