Hybrid Cloud – Azure Free Account and Cloud Shell

What is the Azure free account?

The Azure free account includes:

• Free access to popular Azure products for 12 months.
• A $200 credit to use for the first 30 days.
• Access to more than 25 products that are always free.

The Azure free account is an excellent way for new users to get started and explore. To sign up, you need a phone number, a credit card, and a Microsoft or GitHub account. The credit card information is used for identity verification only. You won’t be charged for any services until you upgrade to a paid subscription.

azure.microsoft.com/free

What is the Microsoft Learn sandbox?

Many of the Learn exercises use a technology called the sandbox, which creates a temporary subscription that’s added to your Azure account. This temporary subscription allows you to create Azure resources during a Learn module. Learn automatically cleans up the temporary resources for you after you’ve completed the module.

When you’re completing a Learn module, you’re welcome to use your personal subscription to complete the exercises in a module. However, the sandbox is the preferred method to use because it allows you to create and test Azure resources at no cost to you.

Switch between PowerShell CLi and bash CLI in the Azure Cloud Shell easily.

Once initialized, you can use the arrow keys or tab to help complete your commands. Interactive mode is set up specifically for Azure, so you don’t need to enter az to start a command (but you can if you want to or are used to it). Try the upgrade or version commands again, but this time without az in front.

Leave Interactive mode with the exit command.

Create VM in the Sandbox

Any exercise that uses the sandbox will require you to activate the sandbox subscription first. Once activated, you can login to the Azure portal and create resource without being billed for it by choosing the learn subscription during resource creation.

Troubleshooting The Sandbox

This error occurs when the subscription button on the learn.microsoft.com page either hasn’t been clicked on or has timed out. Re-click the subscription acceptance button, usually at the top of the page for the exercise you’re doing.