Category - Windows

How to Setup Azure VM
Oct 10, 2024

What is Azure VM? Azure virtual machines (VMs) are a cloud-based computing service that allows users to run applications on the Microsoft Azure platform. VMs are a type of on-demand, scalable computing resource that offers a number of benefits, including:  Security: Azure VMs offer a secure way to run applications.  Affordability: Users can pay for extra VMs when needed and shut them down when not.  Flexibility: Users can choose from various operating systems, including Windows and Linux.  Scalability: Users can scale up to thousands of VMs based on demand or schedules.  Performance: Users can enhance network and storage performance with custom hardware.  Azure virtual machines (VMs) can be created through the Azure portal. This method provides a browser-based user interface to create VMs and their associated resources. In this blog, I'll show you how to use the Azure portal to deploy a virtual machine (VM) in Azure.   Sign in to the Azure portal. Create Virtual Machine Enter Virtual Machine in the search. Under Services, select Virtual machines. In the Virtual Machines page, select Create and then Azure virtual machine. The Create a Virtual Machine page opens. Under Project details, select the resource group. Under the instance details enter the Virtual machine name and choose "Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition - x64 Gen 2" for the Image. Leave the other defaults. Also use can choose image based on your requirement. Under Administrator account, provide a username, such as azureuser, and a password. Under Inbound port rules, choose Allow selected ports and then select RDP (3389) and HTTP (80) from the drop-down. Leave the remaining defaults and then select the Review + create button at the bottom of the page. After validation runs, select the Create button at the bottom of the page. After deployment is complete, select Go to resource. Connect to Virtual Machine On the overview page for your virtual machine, select Connect. Download the RDP file. Open the downloaded RDP file and click Connect when prompted. Click on more choise and enter your username and password that you have added while creating the VM and click on OK. You can see your VM is running now.     Here are some other things to know about Azure VMs:  Maintenance: Users still need to maintain the VM by configuring, patching, and installing software.  Cost: The cost of an Azure VM depends on the size and type of VM, as well as other services used with it.   Security: Users should take steps to ensure the security of their data and applications, such as identity management, encryption, and network protection.  Virtual machine selector: Users can use the virtual machine selector to find the right VMs for their needs and budget.    Conclusion: An Azure virtual machine gives you the flexibility of virtualization without buying and maintaining the physical hardware that runs it. However, you still need to maintain the virtual machine by performing tasks, such as configuring, patching, and installing the software that runs on it.

Simplified Swagger Integration in .NET Core
Feb 22, 2024

Introduction: In the realm of modern APIs, the provision of clear and comprehensive documentation plays a pivotal role in facilitating developer adoption and ensuring efficient utilization. Swagger, aligned with the OpenAPI Initiative, stands out as a prominent solution, offering machine-readable documentation and a user-friendly interactive interface. In this guide, we'll delve into the seamless integration of Swagger into your .NET Core API. Step 1: Install the necessary packages Add Swashbuckle.AspNetCore NuGet package to a project: dotnet add package Swashbuckle.AspNetCore Add Swashbuckle.AspNetCore.SwaggerUI NuGet package to a project: dotnet add package Swashbuckle.AspNetCore.SwaggerUI Step 2: Add services in program.cs In the program.cs file, include the following service additions: builder.Services.AddEndpointsApiExplorer(); builder.Services.AddSwaggerGen(); Additionally, add middleware in program.cs to enable Swagger in the development environment:   if (app.Environment.IsDevelopment()) { app.UseSwagger(); app.UseSwaggerUI(); } Step 3: Run the API project and access the Swagger UI at: https://your-api-base-url/swagger Ensure the API project is running, and navigate to the provided URL to explore and interact with the Swagger UI seamlessly. Step 3:  Execute the APIs and test.  

Your Expert Guide to Azure App Insights
Jan 24, 2024

Are you grappling with performance issues in your project? Look no further—Application Insights is here to help! In this blog post, I'll guide you through the process of configuring and implementing Application Insights to supercharge your application's performance monitoring. Step 1: Installing the Application Insights Package The first crucial step is to integrate the Application Insights package into your project. Simply add the following PackageReference to your project file: <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.ApplicationInsights.AspNetCore" Version="2.22.0" /> And Register service in Program.cs or Startup.cs : builder.Services.AddApplicationInsightsTelemetry(); builder.Services.ConfigureTelemetryModule<DependencyTrackingTelemetryModule>((module, o) => { module.EnableSqlCommandTextInstrumentation = true; }); Add connection string in appsettings.json :  "ApplicationInsights": {   "InstrumentationKey": "" } This sets the stage for a seamless integration of Application Insights into your application. Step 2: Unleashing the Power of Application Insights Now that the package is part of your project, let's dive into the benefits it brings to the table:  1. Identify Performance Bottlenecks Application Insights allows you to track the execution time of individual stored procedures, queries, and API calls. This invaluable information helps you pinpoint areas that require optimization, paving the way for improved performance.  2. Monitor Database Interactions Efficiently analyze the database calls made by specific APIs within your application. With this visibility, you can optimize and fine-tune database interactions for enhanced performance.  3. Comprehensive Error and Exception Tracking Application Insights goes beyond performance monitoring by providing detailed information about errors, traces, and exceptions. This level of insight is instrumental in effective troubleshooting, allowing you to identify and resolve issues swiftly.  Step 3: Integration with Azure for Data Collection and Analysis To maximize the benefits of Application Insights, consider integrating it with Azure for comprehensive data collection and analysis. This step amplifies your ability to make informed decisions regarding performance optimization and problem resolution. In conclusion, Application Insights equips you with the tools needed to elevate your application's performance. By identifying bottlenecks, monitoring database interactions, and offering comprehensive error tracking, it becomes a cornerstone for effective troubleshooting and optimization. Stay tuned for more tips and insights on how to harness the full potential of Application Insights for a high-performing application!

Unlocking Windows 10's New File Explorer
Oct 14, 2019

It's been ages since we have the same look and feel for the Windows Explorer. There are some updates but the look and feel remained the same for long. However, the Redmond giant is working on a new File Explorer which is based on UWP (Universal Windows Platform). This is hidden but it's been discovered by a Redditor. So, if you want to try out the new File Explorer on Windows 10 then follow the steps below. Open File Explorer. Paste this into the address bar shell:AppsFolder\c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515_cw5n1h2txyewy!App Hit Enter. At this point, the new File Explorer should startup. (Optional): Right-click the program and "Pin to Taskbar" for quick access.

magnusminds website loader