Month: December 2023
RESOLVED: HDC Web Dashboard Outage
Updated 12/29/2023
Thank you for your patience. The issue has been resolved and service restored.
***
We are aware of an issue with the hardware dashboard and are working to remediate. As this issue occurred during our scheduled US Winter Holiday timeframe release moratorium, we are targeting restoration of service early in January. In the meantime, the API interface should still be available to you.
Please check the Hardware Dev Center Community Hub for updates.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
ATTENTION; HDC Web Dashboard Outage
We are aware of an issue with the hardware dashboard and are working to remediate. As this issue occurred during our scheduled US Winter Holiday timeframe release moratorium, we are targeting restoration of service early in January. In the meantime, the API interface should still be available to you.
Please check the Hardware Dev Center Community Hub for updates.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Lesson Learned #463: Synchronizing Large Data Volumes Between SQL Databases: A Python Solution
While working on a support case, we faced the need to replicate a substantial volume of data in a table to conduct performance comparisons between two different SQL databases. During this troubleshooting process, we crafted a small yet powerful Python script to accomplish this task, which might be beneficial in similar scenarios. Given that the source table contained several million records, the utilization of multithreading was crucial to handle this massive data efficiently. Moreover, every execution of the script clearly indicated the GUID of the most recently processed data, adding a layer of traceability to our operations. As always, this script serves as an example and should be thoroughly tested in a controlled environment, with users taking responsibility for its deployment.
In the realm of database management, particularly during support and performance tuning tasks, mirroring large datasets between different databases is a common yet complex challenge. Our objective was straightforward but technically demanding: replicate extensive data volumes from one SQL database table to another to facilitate accurate performance benchmarking.
Overview of the Python Script
Our script employs Python’s pyodbc module, which facilitates interaction with SQL Server databases, and utilizes multi-threading via the concurrent.futures module to enhance performance. The script features:
Robust Database Connection: Using pyodbc, the script establishes connections with both source and target databases, implementing retry logic for reliability.
Concurrent Data Processing: The ThreadPoolExecutor is used for parallel processing, speeding up the data synchronization.
Intelligent Data Handling: The script employs SQL MERGE statements, ensuring that data is either updated or inserted as needed, enhancing efficiency.
Transaction Management: With autocommit set to False, the script handles transactions manually, ensuring data integrity.
Process Monitoring: Utilization of GUIDs and timestamps to track the synchronization process.
Script Walkthrough
Connection Configuration:
Establish connections to the SQL Server databases (A and B) with retry capabilities for robustness.
Total Rows Calculation:
Determine the number of rows to be synchronized from Database A to Database B using SQL Server’s Dynamic Management Views (DMVs).
Data Processing in Batches:
The script reads data in batches and synchronizes it, reducing memory usage and improving efficiency.
Merge Operation:
Using a temporary table and MERGE SQL statements, the script ensures that each record is either updated or inserted in Database B, marked with a unique process GUID for traceability.
Transaction Management:
The script uses explicit transaction control for each batch process, ensuring data integrity.
Performance Tracking:
The script records the start and end times, providing insights into the process duration.
— Structure for Server A
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[Table1](
[ID] [bigint] IDENTITY(1,1) NOT NULL,
[Item1] [nvarchar](200) NULL,
CONSTRAINT [PK__Table1__3214EC2758D12B45] PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED
(
[ID] ASC
)WITH (STATISTICS_NORECOMPUTE = OFF, IGNORE_DUP_KEY = OFF, OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY = OFF) ON [PRIMARY]
) ON [PRIMARY]
GO
DECLARE @count INT = 0;
WHILE @count < 20000
BEGIN
INSERT INTO [dbo].[Table1] ([Item1])
VALUES (CONCAT(‘Item ‘, @count + 1));
SET @count = @count + 1;
END;
— Script for ServerB
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[Table1](
[ID] [bigint] NOT NULL,
[Item1] [nvarchar](200) NULL,
[ProcessGUID] [uniqueidentifier] NULL,
CONSTRAINT [PK__Table1__3214EC27FB61D54C] PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED
(
[ID] ASC
)WITH (STATISTICS_NORECOMPUTE = OFF, IGNORE_DUP_KEY = OFF, OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY = OFF) ON [PRIMARY]
) ON [PRIMARY]
GO
import pyodbc
import time
import sys
import uuid
from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
import datetime
# Configuración de conexión a las bases de datos
conn_str_A = ‘DRIVER={ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server};SERVER=servernamea.database.windows.net;DATABASE=A;UID=user1;PWD=pwd1!;APP=Test-Sync Reader’
conn_str_B = ‘DRIVER={ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server};SERVER=servernameb.database.windows.net;DATABASE=B;UID=user2;PWD=pwd2!;APP=Test-Sync Writer’
def create_connections(conn_str, count, max_retries=3, delay=5):
“””Create a list of database connections with retry policy.”””
connections = []
for _ in range(count):
retries = 0
while retries < max_retries:
try:
conn = pyodbc.connect(conn_str, timeout=30,autocommit=False)
connections.append(conn)
break # Exit the retry loop if connection is successful
except pyodbc.Error as e:
print(f”Failed to connect to database: {e}”)
retries += 1
if retries >= max_retries:
print(“Maximum retry attempts reached. Exiting the application.”)
sys.exit(1) # Exit the application if all retries fail
print(f”Retrying in {delay} seconds…”)
time.sleep(delay) # Wait for a while before retrying
return connections
def get_total_rows(conn, table_name):
“””Retrieve an estimated number of rows in a table using DMV.”””
try:
with conn.cursor() as cursor:
# Query to get an estimated row count
query = f”””
SELECT SUM(row_count)
FROM sys.dm_db_partition_stats
WHERE object_id=OBJECT_ID(‘{table_name}’)
AND (index_id=0 OR index_id=1);
“””
cursor.execute(query)
result = cursor.fetchone()
if result and result[0]:
return result[0]
else:
print(“No rows found or unable to retrieve row count.”)
sys.exit(1)
except pyodbc.Error as e:
print(f”Error retrieving row count: {e}”)
sys.exit(1)
def process_block_A_to_B(conn_A, conn_B, offset, limit, process_guid, batch_size=10000):
“””Process a block of data from Database A to B in batches using SQL MERGE.”””
records = []
with conn_A.cursor() as cursor_A:
print(f”Thread: {offset} {limit}”)
cursor_A.execute(f”SELECT ID, Item1 FROM Table1 ORDER BY ID OFFSET {offset} ROWS FETCH NEXT {limit} ROWS ONLY”)
for id, item1 in cursor_A:
records.append((id, item1, process_guid))
if len(records) == batch_size:
merge_into_database_B(conn_B, records)
records = []
if records:
merge_into_database_B(conn_B, records)
def merge_into_database_B(conn, records):
“””Merge records into Database B within a single transaction using a process GUID.”””
with conn.cursor() as cursor:
try:
cursor.fast_executemany = True
cursor.execute(“BEGIN TRANSACTION”)
cursor.execute(“CREATE TABLE #TempTable (ID bigint, Item1 nvarchar(200), ProcessGUID uniqueidentifier)”)
cursor.executemany(“INSERT INTO #TempTable (ID, Item1, ProcessGUID) VALUES (?, ?, ?)”, records)
conn.commit()
except Exception as e:
print(f”Error during table creation and data insertion: {e}”)
conn.rollback()
return
try:
cursor.execute(“BEGIN TRANSACTION”)
merge_query = “””
MERGE INTO Table1 AS Target
USING #TempTable AS Source
ON Target.ID = Source.ID
WHEN MATCHED THEN
UPDATE SET Target.Item1 = Source.Item1, Target.ProcessGUID = Source.ProcessGUID
WHEN NOT MATCHED THEN
INSERT (ID, Item1, ProcessGUID) VALUES (Source.ID, Source.Item1, Source.ProcessGUID);
“””
cursor.execute(merge_query)
conn.commit()
except Exception as e:
print(f”Error during MERGE operation: {e}”)
conn.rollback()
finally:
cursor.execute(“DROP TABLE #TempTable”)
def main():
start_time = datetime.datetime.now()
print(f”Process started at: {start_time}”)
num_workers = 10
process_guid = generate_guid()
print(f”Process GUID: {process_guid}”)
connections_A = create_connections(conn_str_A, num_workers)
connections_B = create_connections(conn_str_B, num_workers)
total_rows_A = get_total_rows(connections_A[0], “Table1”)
limit_A = (total_rows_A + num_workers – 1) // num_workers
with ThreadPoolExecutor(num_workers) as executor:
for i in range(num_workers):
offset_A = i * limit_A
# Ajustar el límite para el último worker
if i == num_workers – 1:
actual_limit_A = total_rows_A – offset_A
else:
actual_limit_A = limit_A
executor.submit(process_block_A_to_B, connections_A[i], connections_B[i], offset_A, actual_limit_A, process_guid)
end_time = datetime.datetime.now()
print(f”Process completed at: {end_time}”)
print(f”Total duration: {end_time – start_time}”)
def generate_guid():
“””Generate a new GUID.”””
return uuid.uuid4()
if __name__ == “__main__”:
main()
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Drop down menus and workbook sharing
So this is a shot in the dark. I am trying to see if it is possible to create a drop down menu but have it pull data from another worksheet. I am trying to create a way to easily select different options and have it displayed. I would have 10 selections in the drop down menu and it would be able to display numbers. Thank you.
So this is a shot in the dark. I am trying to see if it is possible to create a drop down menu but have it pull data from another worksheet. I am trying to create a way to easily select different options and have it displayed. I would have 10 selections in the drop down menu and it would be able to display numbers. Thank you. Read More
Securely uploading blob files to Azure Storage from API Management
Agenda
This article will provide a demonstration on how to utilize either SAS token authentication or managed identity from API Management to make requests to Azure Storage. Furthermore, it will explore and compare the differences between these two options.
Comparision
The choice between Managed Identity and SAS Token depends on factors such as the level of control required, the duration of access, and the specific security requirements of your application. Both options offer different levels of access control and security features for accessing Azure Storage.
Azure Managed Identity vs. SAS (Shared Access Signature) Token
Authentication
Advantage
Disadvantage
Azure Managed Identity
Azure Managed Identity provides an automatic and seamless way to authenticate with Azure Storage.
Managed Identity allows you to specify the necessary scopes and permissions required for accessing Azure Storage. You can assign specific roles to the managed identity.
With Managed Identity, you can assign RBAC roles at a granular level to control access to Azure Storage resources.
Managed Identity offers a secure way to access Azure Storage, as it eliminates the need to store and manage secrets or credentials in your application code.
While Managed Identity offers RBAC, the level of granularity might be limited compared to SAS tokens.
Managed Identity tokens have a default lifetime and are automatically refreshed by Azure. There is limited control over token expiration.
SAS Token
SAS token allows you to define specific permissions and access levels for resources in Azure Storage. This includes read, write, delete, or list operations.
SAS tokens are generated for specific resources or containers in Azure Storage, providing a more restricted access scope compared to managed identities.
You can set an expiration time for the SAS token, after which it becomes invalid. This provides an additional layer of security and helps to control access to storage resources.
With SAS tokens, you can grant temporary access to specific resources or containers without the need for permanent credentials.
SAS tokens require manual generation and management, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when dealing with multiple client applications or frequent token rotation.
SAS tokens have an expiration date, and once expired, they become invalid. This requires additional effort to generate and distribute new tokens to maintain access, which may impact the continuity of your application.
If not properly secured, an exposed SAS token could lead to unauthorized access to your Azure Storage resources. It is crucial to ensure secure handling and storage of SAS tokens to prevent potential security breaches.
Revoking access granted through a SAS token can be challenging, as it usually requires updating the access policy or generating a new token. This might cause inconvenience and delay if you need to revoke access quickly and efficiently.
It is crucial to select the appropriate authentication method for accessing Azure Storage based on your specific use cases. For instance, if the permission for your client applications is permanent and long-term, it may be preferable to leverage Azure Managed Identity, as the assigned permission remains in place indefinitely. On the other hand, if you only need to grant temporary access to your client applications, it is more suitable to use SAS Token. SAS tokens can be created with an expiration date, and the permission will automatically expire once the token becomes invalid. This grants more control over the duration of access for temporary scenarios.
Below are the instructions to implement both Azure Managed Identity and SAS Token authentication options.
OPTION 1: Authentication via managed identity
This shows you how to create a managed identity for an Azure API Management instance and how to use it to access Azure Storage. A managed identity generated by Microsoft Entra ID allows your API Management instance to easily and securely access Azure Storage which is protected by Microsoft Entra ID. Azure manages this identity, so you don’t have to provision or rotate any secrets.
Configuration
The initial step involves enabling the managed identity for your APIM service, followed by assigning the appropriate permissions for blob uploading. You must go to the “Managed identities” blade to enable the system assigned identity firstly.
To add the storage permission, you can navigate to the same blade and click on the “Azure role assignments” button. It is important to carefully consider the role assignment based on your specific use cases, as there are multiple built-in roles available for authorizing access to blob data using Microsoft Azure Active Directory. For testing purposes, you can grant the “Storage Blob Data Contributor” permission to the managed identity.
For more detailed information regarding the built-in roles for blobs, please refer to the documentation provided below.
Assign an Azure role for access to blob data – Azure Storage | Microsoft Learn
Authorize access to blobs using Microsoft Entra ID – Azure Storage | Microsoft Learn
Policy
In the <inbound> section, I included a policy for authentication with managed identity and also for rewriting the blob path. This example utilizes the name of the storage account that is set within the named values.
<rewrite-uri template=”@{
var requestId = context.RequestId;
return $”/{{blob-container-name}}/log-{requestId}.txt?{{blob-sas-token}}”;
<set-header name=”x-ms-version” exists-action=”override”>
<value>2019-07-07</value>
</set-header>
<set-header name=”x-ms-blob-type” exists-action=”override”>
<value>BlockBlob</value>
</set-header>
<set-body>@(context.Request.Body.As<string>(preserveContent: true))</set-body>
<authentication-managed-identity resource=”https://storage.azure.com” />
Within the <outbound> section, to make the error response from Storage side easier to troubleshoot, I use the policy<xml-to-json> to convert the response format, because it is generated in XML format.
<xml-to-json kind=”direct” apply=”always” consider-accept-header=”false” />
Error example:
Test
Simply using the test panel to do a test and check if everything works fine. The response will come back with 201-Created when the file has been uploaded successfully.
The file upload to the storage container was successful.
OPTION 2: Access Storage through SAS token
This is a method to access Storage Account from APIM service using SAS token. By setting the SAS token as named values, it can help reuse the SAS token.
One thing you might need to be careful about is that the SAS token should be handled and maintained manually because there is no integration between Storage Account and Key Vault for key re-creation.
Prerequisite
A SAS token is required before implementation. There are some ways to create a SAS token. You can generate the token from the Azure portal by selecting “Shared Access Signature” from the menu and providing the necessary information.
Additionally, both Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI can be utilized to generate the token.
– By using the Azure PowerShell, the examples within the below documentation can help you to create the SAS token.
New-AzStorageAccountSASToken (Az.Storage) | Microsoft Learn
– By using Azure CLI
az storage account | Microsoft Learn
Example:
Configuration
After generating the SAS token, let’s move forward to API management service to set up the required configurations to restore the SAS token in the Named values on for API reference.
Policy
In the <inbound> section, I added the policy for rewriting the blob path as well as assigning the SAS token. This example uses the name of Storage Account that is set in the named values.
<rewrite-uri template=”@{
var requestId = context.RequestId;
return $”/{{blob-container-name}}/log-{requestId}.txt?{{blob-sas-token}}”;
<set-header name=”x-ms-version” exists-action=”override”>
<value>2019-07-07</value>
</set-header>
<set-header name=”x-ms-blob-type” exists-action=”override”>
<value>BlockBlob</value>
</set-header>
<set-body>@(context.Request.Body.As<string>(preserveContent: true))</set-body>
Within the <outbound> section, to make the error response from Storage side easier to troubleshoot, I use the policy<xml-to-json> to convert the response format, because it is generated in XML format.
<xml-to-json kind=”direct” apply=”always” consider-accept-header=”false” />
Error example:
Test
Simply using the test panel to do a test and check if everything works fine. The response will come back with 201-Created when the file has been uploaded successfully.
The file upload to the storage container was successful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Azure Managed Identity and SAS Token authentication methods offer secure ways to upload blob files to Azure Storage from API Management.
Azure Managed Identity provides seamless authentication and eliminates the need to store and manage credentials, improving security. It allows for granular access control through RBAC and is suitable for permanent permission scenarios. However, it is limited to Azure services and requires dependency on Azure AD.
SAS Token authentication offers greater flexibility with temporary access and fine-grained control over permissions. It allows for the generation of tokens with specific expiration dates, providing enhanced security. However, SAS token management can be more complex, requiring manual generation and distribution of tokens.
When choosing between the two methods, consider the longevity of permissions needed and the level of control required. Azure Managed Identity is ideal for long-term permissions. Assess your specific use case to determine the most secure and convenient authentication approach for uploading blob files to Azure Storage from API Management.
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We need to stop bullying in gaming and make it safe for everyone
I help in my community we have a church outreach program where the goal is to better society by helping youth navigate the horrible situation with online bullying especially in gaming i plan to help Xbox/microsoft in this idea because as with my community I believe everyone should treat one another fairly and without discrimination I have been a proud member of our tech outreach program at the church for 4 years and plan on making more progroms like it so that society can move forward without discrimination as someone who has been discriminated against for being disabled this is very important to me
Sincerely
Jake Cramer
I help in my community we have a church outreach program where the goal is to better society by helping youth navigate the horrible situation with online bullying especially in gaming i plan to help Xbox/microsoft in this idea because as with my community I believe everyone should treat one another fairly and without discrimination I have been a proud member of our tech outreach program at the church for 4 years and plan on making more progroms like it so that society can move forward without discrimination as someone who has been discriminated against for being disabled this is very important to me Sincerely Jake Cramer Read More
Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate: Shubham Garg
This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Shubham Garg, who recently graduated with a master’s degree in VLSI Design from Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC, Noida) in India.
Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, Shubham Garg, poses while attending UNESCO India Africa Hackathon in 2022
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
2020
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Awesome!
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why? For example – being involved in a Social Impact Project, Networking with a Cloud Advocate or MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional), or Mentoring another Student Ambassador?
There were many great experiences throughout this journey; however, there is one specific experience that resides in my heart. It was my first Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors in-person meetup for the Delhi NCR region in India. The event was beautifully organized, and there were a lot of informative sessions that day. I was also involved in organizing my university’s annual festival (Colossus’22-CDAC Noida) where I organized events as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador on Azure Web Services. Promoting my university festival was the reason I attended the meetup but it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life.
After the festival, I realized the reach I was able to gain through this community. Student Ambassadors messaged me for advice on how to organize and promote events. That was when I realized how big the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors community is and how impactful I could be as a Student Ambassador.
Shubham Garg, promoting his university festival during the first Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador meetup event in India.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors community is growing daily, and I think of it as an ocean of opportunities. Everything you do as a Student Ambassador will have an impact on fellow Ambassadors. Thus, I want all of you to know that you have the opportunity to impact someone’s life. As one of Marvel’s most iconic phrases goes, “With great power, comes great responsibility. Thus, it is your responsibility to make sure that the impact you are creating is positive one and not just for name and fame.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
Always remember your purpose. Everything else will follow.
Shubham Garg and fellow students at a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador meetup in India.
You can follow Shubham here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shubhamgarg1299/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhamgarg1299/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adcbinnovations
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Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate: Dwitrisha Saha
This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Dwitrisha Saha, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in information technology from Manipal Institute in India.
Dwitrisha Saha, Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador from India.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
2020
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador was an incredible experience. It offered me the opportunity to engage with a vibrant community of learners, share my passion for technology, and contribute to empowering others through knowledge sharing.
As an Ambassador, I had access to resources, support, and training from Microsoft, allowing me to enhance my skills while also helping fellow students to learn and grow in the tech field. It was fulfilling to organize workshops and events where I could introduce peers to modern technologies, foster collaboration, and create an environment for learning and networking.
Moreover, being part of the program allowed me to stay updated on the latest innovations and trends in technology, and I gained invaluable leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through various projects and collaborations within the community. Overall, being a Student Ambassador was a rewarding experience that not only enriched my own learning journey but also allowed me to inspire and support others in theirs.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
Working on a Learn module for an Azure Health bot under the guidance of Microsoft Cloud Advocate Lee Stott and alongside other ambassadors from around the world was an incredibly impactful experience for me during my time as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador.
Collaborating with such a diverse group brought together unique perspectives, ideas, and skillsets, creating a rich learning environment. It was inspiring to witness how each member contributed their expertise and cultural insights to the project. We navigated different time zones and communication styles, learning to leverage our collective strengths to create something truly valuable.
For me, this project wasn’t just about technical knowledge; it taught me the importance of effective teamwork, effective communication skills, and the power of collaboration in achieving a common goal. Lee’s mentorship and guidance throughout the process provided invaluable insights into the industry and enhanced our understanding of how technology can be applied in the healthcare sector to create meaningful impacts.
Overall, this experience reinforced the significance of global collaboration, the fusion of diverse perspectives, and the immense potential technology holds in creating solutions for real-world challenges. It not only enriched my technical skills, but also honed my ability to work effectively in a multicultural team towards a common goal.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
During my time as a Student Ambassador, delving into Microsoft Azure was a pivotal part of my learning journey. I had the opportunity become certified in AZ-900, AI-900, and DP-900, which significantly shaped my post-university endeavors.
These certifications validated my knowledge and opened doors to various career opportunities. They served as a solid foundation, allowing me to explore more advanced concepts and specialized areas within Azure. The hands-on experience gained through the certification process equipped me to tackle real-world scenarios, architect solutions, and optimize cloud resources efficiently.
In my post-university career, this skillset became a cornerstone in my work, whether it was designing cloud-based solutions, implementing AI-driven applications, or handling data securely. The understanding of Azure’s capabilities and its integration with other Microsoft services has been instrumental in problem-solving and creating robust, scalable solutions for diverse projects.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
I’d want every student worldwide to know that the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program is more than just a title or a certification — it’s a gateway to a vibrant community, endless learning opportunities, and a platform to make a real impact.
This program isn’t solely about technology; it’s about fostering leadership, collaboration, and innovation. It’s a space where you’re encouraged to explore your passions, share your knowledge, and grow both personally and professionally.
The resources, support, and mentorship available within the program are phenomenal. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s something for everyone. You gain access to innovative technology, exclusive events, and guidance from industry experts — all of which contribute to your growth and development.
Moreover, being a part of this program isn’t about what you learn; it’s about what you can give back. You have the chance to impact your community, empower others through education, and contribute to initiatives that bring about positive change.
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program is a transformative experience that goes beyond technical skills. It’s a journey that shapes you as a leader, a learner, and a catalyst for innovation. And most importantly, it’s an opportunity to be part of a global movement, driving change through technology and education.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
To new Student Ambassadors embarking on this journey, here’s some advice: Dive into the community with enthusiasm, engaging with peers and mentors to soak up diverse perspectives. Set clear goals to guide your path, whether it’s gaining certifications, organizing events, or impacting your community. Continuously fuel your curiosity with learning. Technology evolves rapidly and staying updated is key. Remember to celebrate even the smallest wins and, most importantly, savor every moment of this incredible journey—it’s an experience teeming with learning, growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
The quote “Jodi tor dak sune keu na ashe tobe ekla cholo re” is from a famous Bengali poem by Rabindranath Tagore. Translated, it means, “If no one responds to your call, then go your own way alone.” This quote holds a profound meaning for me. It speaks to the essence of resilience, determination, and self-reliance. It’s a reminder that sometimes in life, we may not always receive immediate support or encouragement from others for our endeavors. However, it emphasizes the importance of having the courage to forge ahead on our own path, even if it means walking alone. For me, it signifies the strength in independence and self-belief. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most important journey we take is the one where we rely on our own strengths, beliefs, and determination to achieve our goals, even when the world might not initially stand by us. It’s a call to find our inner strength and courageously navigate our own paths, regardless of external validation or support.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
One fascinating part of my journey in the program involved collaborating with individuals from diverse corners of the world. For instance, I had the opportunity to co-host a Learn TV (television) podcast “Scale your Cloud Resources with Elasticity” with Jay Gordon, a cloud advocate from Microsoft, who was based in New York while I was in India. Despite the geographical distance, we worked together seamlessly, discussing topics, sharing insights, and creating content that resonated across borders. This experience highlighted the power of technology in bringing people together beyond physical boundaries to foster collaboration and learning from diverse perspectives. It was a fantastic example of how technology enables global teamwork and the exchange of ideas, despite being thousands of miles apart.
You can follow Dwitrisha here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwitrisha/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwitrisha/
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate: Aniket Kumar Sinha
This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Aniket Kumar Sinha, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from BK Birla Institute of Engineering in India.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
2020
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being selected as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador was an extraordinary opportunity that greatly contributed to my personal and professional development. In 2020 I achieved this milestone, becoming the first Student Ambassador and later the first Gold Student Ambassador from my college.
Coming from a tier-3 college in India, I had concerns about acquiring new skills and expanding my professional network. However, this community provided me with an ideal platform for both. While I had some experience as a public speaker, I had never conducted technical sessions as an instructor before. Through this program, I was able to lead my first technical session during my early second year of college.
I fully leveraged the resources and support offered by the community, which enabled me to organize various technical events, including a comprehensive technical fest with a hackathon within my college. Subsequently, I was honored with the role of Gold Ambassador, a position I had only dreamed of attaining.
As a Gold Ambassador, I had the privilege of engaging with an international audience, presenting at renowned technical events such as Microsoft Reactor events and the Microsoft Student Summit, among many others. This was just the beginning of my journey.
Through my Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors network, I received the opportunity to work full-time as a Cloud Consultant starting in my third year, at my current organization Rapid Circle. Throughout this journey, I never regarded the MLSA program as just a community; it has always felt like a second family to me.
Aniket with fellow student ambassadors during a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors Meetup in Delhi, India.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
Throughout my four-year journey within this program, I have been privileged to encounter numerous transformative opportunities that have profoundly impacted my life. Through this community, I have facilitated valuable connections with outstanding individuals such as Harsh Vardhan Goel, Prajesh Srivastava, Tauqeer Ahmad, Akansha Jain, Tina Popli, Aditya Oberai, Siddharth Dayalwal, Namrata Agrawal, Aindrila Das, Aadyaa Srivastava, Anika Tibrewala, Bhavuk Kalra, Aadya Singh, Prnika Bakshi, Jasleen Kaur Sondhi, Aastha Sarkar, and many more exceptional fellow Ambassadors.
Furthermore, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed professionals from Microsoft, including Vivek Sridhar, Parth Varu, Pablo Veramendi, Olanrewaju Oyinbooke, and Rashmita Bhowmick, which has proven to be a profoundly impactful experience.
In this capacity, I’ve had the opportunity to deliver presentations at Microsoft Reactor events and the Microsoft Student Summit, as well as successfully organizing two in-person Student Ambassador meetups in Bengaluru and Delhi NCR. The depth of knowledge, support, and inspiration I’ve gained from this community and the remarkable individuals within it is beyond what I can adequately express in words.
Aniket presenting with a fellow student during a Microsoft Reactor workshop about Microsoft Power Platform.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
My introduction to Microsoft Azure was made possible through this community, and I am now engaged in full-time work involving Azure. Initially, we were provided with MTC exam vouchers, which I seized as an opportunity to take the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals – AZ 900 certification exam. Preparing for this certification deepened my understanding of Azure.
As my journey progressed, I successfully obtained four Microsoft Certifications, namely: Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104), Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700), Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), and Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900).
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
The Student Ambassador program offers a valuable opportunity, particularly for students in technical colleges. This program presents a wealth of opportunities for learning and establishing a strong professional network. I strongly encourage individuals to become part of this program and make the most of the opportunities it offers.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
The paramount advice is to refrain from joining this community solely for the allure of promotional items or accolades. Instead, embrace this community for the remarkable learning and growth opportunities it presents.
Adopt a proactive approach within the community; seize every opportunity to expand your knowledge, engage with others, and foster personal development.
Cultivate meaningful interactions with fellow Ambassadors. This community is a gathering of like-minded individuals; take the initiative to initiate conversations and forge new connections.
Prioritize learning — absorb knowledge from the Microsoft Learn website, gain insights from your fellow Ambassadors, and tap into the expertise of Cloud Advocates.
Establish a robust professional network and extend respect to every member of the community.
Leverage the community as a platform for enhancing your personal brand and visibility.
General advice: Be open to learning and accept new concepts.
Aniket with fellow Student Ambassadors during a Meetup at the Microsoft Reactor Bangalore office.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
“Every End is a new Beginning” Quote by V.E. Schwab. This is my favorite quote. Don’t get upset because something is ending, be happy and excited about the new journey you’re stepping into.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
My academic path has been marked by numerous challenges and moments of self-doubt. However, this program played a pivotal role in instilling the confidence I needed to attain significant accomplishments. I now stand as a self-assured individual and a proficient public speaker.
You can follow Aniket here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniketkumarsinha/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AniketKSinha
GitHub: https://github.com/aniketkumarsinha
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aniketksinha/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AniketKumarSinha
Website: https://aniketkumarsinha.tech/
Blogs: https://dev.to/aniketkumarsinha
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Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate: Kashish Sharma
This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Kashish Sharma, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from DIT University in India.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
2021
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador was an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience for me. It allowed me to be part of a global community of students who were passionate about technology and making a positive impact on their campuses and beyond.
One of the most exciting aspects of being a Student Ambassador was the opportunity to learn and grow.
Microsoft provided us with access to a wealth of resources, training, and the latest technologies, which allowed me to expand my knowledge and skills in various areas of tech. I was able to attend exclusive webinars, workshops, and conferences, where I got to connect with professionals and experts in the field.
Kashish breaks down intricate concepts into digestible bits, during a tech session she hosted at her university.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
Certainly my time as a Student Ambassador was filled with several profound experiences, but if I had to pick one that had a particularly significant impact on me, it would be my involvement in a social impact project.
Working on a social impact project as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador was incredibly rewarding. I had the chance to leverage technology for greater good and address real-world issues. We focused on bridging the digital divide, helping underserved communities gain access to technology and digital skills. The impact of this project was tangible, and it reinforced the idea that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change in society. It deepened my commitment to using my tech skills to make a meaningful difference in people’s .
Kashish Sharma during a tech talk at her university.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
As a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, I had the opportunity to gain a skillset in cloud computing through Microsoft Azure.
Azure is a powerful cloud platform, and through various training resources and hands-on experience provided by Microsoft, I learned to navigate and utilize its services effectively. I acquired skills in setting up virtual machines, managing data with Azure SQL databases, and deploying applications on cloud. Understanding the ins and outs of Azure not only gave me a solid technical foundation, but also opened a world of possibilities for my career.
In my post-university journey, these Azure skills have proven to be a game-changer. Cloud computing is at the forefront of modern technology, and my proficiency in Azure has given me a competitive edge in the job market. I’ve been able to work on various cloud-related projects, assisting organizations in migrating their on-premises systems to the cloud, optimizing their infrastructure, and implementing scalable solutions.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
One thing I would want all students globally to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program is that it’s a life-changing opportunity for anyone passionate about technology and making a difference in the world.
First and foremost, it’s not just about Microsoft products; it’s about fostering a deep understanding of technology and its applications. The program provides a platform for students to learn and grow, regardless of their prior knowledge or background. You don’t have to be an expert to get started; you just need enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Kashish Sharma poses with others during a community event for Tech Enthusiasts at a local tech fair in India.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
EXPERIMENT and EMBRACE!
Embrace every opportunity, stay curious, and never underestimate the impact you can make, both in your community and on a global scale. This program is your canvas; paint your journey with passion and purpose.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
Certainly, here’s a quote by Steve Jobs: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” I find this quote cool because it celebrates the idea that innovation often comes from those who dare to think differently and challenge the status quo. It encourages us to be bold, to embrace our unique ideas, and to have the audacity to make a positive impact on the world.
You can follow Kashish here:
LinkedIn: https//www.linkedin.com/in/kashishsharma601
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasy.ssh
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Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate: Nadeem Akhtar
This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Nadeem Akhtar, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Kardan University in Afghanistan.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
2021
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a Student Ambassador was an enriching and rewarding experience. It involved representing the school or university, assisting with events and open houses, providing campus tours, and helping prospective students and their families, as well as supporting fellow students in a variety of ways. The role allowed for the development of leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, being a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador offered great opportunities for networking and building connections with peers, faculty, alumni, and prospective students.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
During my time in the program, a specific experience that had a profound impact on me was mentoring another Student Ambassador. This experience was particularly meaningful because it allowed me to share my knowledge and skills with someone who was eager to learn and grow. By helping them navigate the program, set goals, and overcome challenges, I not only saw their confidence and abilities flourish, but I also gained insights into my own growth as a mentor and leader. This experience solidified my passion for supporting others in their personal development and has motivated me to continue seeking opportunities to empower others through mentorship.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
As a Student Ambassador, I had the opportunity to gain skillsets in Python programming, Azure, Quantum Computing and BI (Business Insights) platform. As a Student Ambassador, I led workshops and tutorials on Python, which allowed me to refine my coding abilities. This skill has been invaluable in my post-university journey, as it has opened multiple career opportunities in fields such as data analysis, software development, and machine learning. Furthermore, my Python proficiency has enabled me to automate tasks and solve complex problems effectively, making me a versatile asset in any industry.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program is an excellent opportunity for students globally to enhance their technical and professional skills while networking with similarly passionate individuals, helping them build a foundation for their future careers.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
Some recommendations I have for new Student Ambassadors are:
Be proactive and establish relationships with your peers, faculty members, and administrative staff.
Familiarize yourself with the program’s mission, goals, and objectives to represent it accurately.
Attend trainings and workshops for personal and professional development.
Stay organized by consistently managing tasks, schedules, and deadlines in a planner or digital tool.
Engage in open communication by actively seeking feedback, asking questions, and sharing ideas with your team.
Identify your strengths and interests to select projects that align with your skills and expertise.
Be adaptable by embracing challenges, stepping out of your comfort zone, and learning from experiences.
Demonstrate a positive attitude while supporting fellow ambassadors and participating in events.
Stay informed about the latest educational trends and resources that can benefit your campus community.
Lastly, remember to enjoy the journey and make memorable connections during your time as a Student Ambassador.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
My favorite quote is, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on,” by Robert Frost. I chose this quote because it’s a simple yet powerful reminder that no matter what challenges and setbacks we face, life will continue to move forward. For me, it signifies the importance of resilience, adaptability, and finding strength in challenging times. It encourages me to make the most out of every situation.
Nadeem Akhtar and fellow students pose for a photo during an event in Afghanistan.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
During my journey as a Student Ambassador, I developed a blockchain Based Secure Communication Application to communicate more securely. This project not only won an innovation award but also contributed to creating new things worldwide.
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Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate: Tina Popli
This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Tina Popoli, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information science and engineering from Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering, Bengaluru in India.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
January 2022
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a Student Ambassador was an incredibly rewarding experience for me. Over the course of two years, I had the privilege of representing MSA and engaging with fellow students in a variety of ways.
One experience that profoundly impacted me was taking part in the Microsoft Reactor sessions, where I got a chance to volunteer and present a session. Collaborating with local organizations, we organized workshops to teach essential technical skills to students and community members. I, along with my fellow MSAs, also set up an MSA club in our college which is now growing well!
Beyond my tenure as an ambassador, this experience continues to drive my passion for leveraging technology to create positive change. It has shaped my career aspirations, leading me to pursue opportunities that allow me to contribute to meaningful projects with a focus on social impact.
I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Microsoft Student Ambassadors program.
Tina Popli during a Microsoft event in India.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
As a Student Ambassador, one experience stands out as having a profound impact on me.
Guiding and supporting fellow Student Ambassadors as a mentor, provided me with a chance to share insight, offer advice, and provide practical tips for effective community engagement and event organization. Witnessing their growth and seeing the positive impact they were able to make in their own unique ways was truly inspiring.
Moreover, in addition to my involvement as a Student Ambassador, I also took the initiative to share my insights and experiences by writing a comprehensive blog on how to apply for the program, providing valuable tips and guidance to potential applicants, which has now gained more than 20k views. (Here is the link: https://dev.to/tina_popli/all-about-microsoft-learn-student-ambassadors-mlsa-22nc)
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
During my tenure as a Student Ambassador, I had the invaluable opportunity to delve into the world of Azure, VMs, Azure Chat Bots, Power Automate and many other things. These technologies fascinated me due to their potential in transforming customer service and enhancing user experiences.
Additionally, this expertise opened doors to networking opportunities and collaborations with experts in the field. I had the privilege of attending workshops and seminars on AI-powered chatbots, where I was able to contribute my insights and learn from industry leaders. This not only expanded my technical knowledge, but also broadened my professional network and has helped me on my post-university journey as well!
Tina Popli hosting a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors event at her university in India.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
I would like to say that this program is not only a program, but also a beautiful journey of learning, growing, and getting open doors to applying these learnings. I always say that MSA is a family where we learn and grow! 🙂
If you haven’t applied, you should go for it, and students who are already a part of it should make effective use of it!
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
Always stay curious and be open to learning; there are tons of opportunities which will come your way.
Share what excites you about technology – it can be through blogs, videos, workshops, sessions, anything! Balance your academics as well! Celebrate every little milestone and enjoy your journey!
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs. This explains how dedicated one should be to their passion/work.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
I’ve always had a passion for conducting sessions and sharing knowledge on various subjects. When I received the chance through the MSA program, it was like icing on the cake.
Also, one of the most exciting moments was when I attended the Future Ready Technology summit in Bengaluru (Bangalore) where Mr. Satya Nadella gave a keynote session, and many other inspiring people gave amazing sessions!
You can follow Tina here:
dev.to: https://dev.to/tina_popli
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-popli-025a891b4/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_popli/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tinapopli7380/featured
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Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate: Prince Adimado
This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Prince Adimado, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Accra Technical University in Ghana.
Prince Adimado, Gold Student Ambassador
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
October 2021
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador (MLSA) has impacted me positively in many ways as a computer science student. Before I became a Student Ambassador, I was only exposed to Microsoft Office tools like MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. After joining, I gained access to technology and learning resources to expand on my technological skillset.
After hosting Student Ambassador skilling sessions and workshops at my local university, students became interested in the program. I received many inquiries from my local community about how to become a Student Ambassador. Eventually, I wrote a blog highlighting the steps of applying to the program. This blog continues to be a useful resource for students all over the world.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
An experience that had a profound impact on me was when I created a demo video on how to use Power Automate, Microsoft Forms, Outlook and Open AI API to create a flow that sends an email response after submitting a prompt via Microsoft Forms.
The idea stemmed from the release of OpenAI API. I heard about it in March 2023, and I knew I had to leverage this powerful tool as an opportunity to skill others in this technology. Then, Microsoft Cloud Advocate Lee Stott (who was a great mentor of mine) reached out to me with the opportunity to collaborate on this project. Writing a blog for the Microsoft Tech Community Blog was always a goal of mine. I couldn’t believe I was getting closer to making that a reality.
After receiving support and guidance from Lee, my demo was published and featured on “Microsoft Estates,” the Microsoft Developer MEA YouTube Channel. I remember thinking “this is so cool.” I later found out that it was one of the most viewed posts at the time.
Prince and fellow Student Ambassadors attend a Power Platform event at their university.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
Power Automate, Power Virtual Agents (PVA), and React. Though I have built projects with Power Automate and PVA, I am currently contributing to building a Tech Startup called Trotro Live in Ghana.
These skills have allowed me to contribute to other projects, further exposing my skillset. Because of this experience and many others like it, I will be launching my career as a Software Developer at Afrilogic Solutions upon graduating college.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
MLSA provides many opportunities and resources to skill yourself and others. If you have a desire to become a Student Ambassador, know that you should take advantage of the opportunities to gain and improve your skillset through the Microsoft Learn website.
So, I encourage anyone who is interested in becoming a Student Ambassador to complete Microsoft Learn paths. This experience will significantly impact your experience as a Student Ambassador.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
After being in the program for two years, the advice I give new Student Ambassadors is to identify one or two Microsoft technologies they are interested in and focus on growing in those skillsets.
Having skillsets in Microsoft technologies will open doors for you. I was offered opportunities such as speaking engagements and workshops.
Prince Adimado at Demystify Power Platform event hosted at his university.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
“From the streets of Tema, the whole world will hear my voice.” This quote is from a freestyle from a musician from Tema, Ghana, called Kwesi Arthur. We all saw how he rose to fame from rags to riches to even get nominated in the BET Awards. This line in the song tells me to keep on pressing on by being consistent and dedicated enough to reach milestones upon milestone in whatever I find my hands doing. To make my dad, my family name and Tema proud.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
I have always loved computers and when the time came to declare my major, I knew I was going to pick computer science. Initially, I felt discouraged by someone in my family because of their opinion about computer science as a career but I was determined to become a software engineer and I am glad I took the path I did. To kick off my learning journey, I began attending boot camps and workshops.
These events helped me improve my awareness of computer science, which helped solidify my decision that this was the right career for me. I still remember my acceptance into the computer science program – I screamed in excitement when I got the email.
And about the program: the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program helped me not to be a regular student who pursued a computer science program just for the grades, but a student who is a force for good in the community. Being a Student Ambassador allowed me to gain experience beyond what I could have gained in the classroom. Because of this community, I successfully mobilized Student Ambassadors in Ghana to organize and execute the MLSA Ghana Days 2023 which brought speakers like Samuel Adranyi, Olanrewaju Oyinbooke, Thomas Festus, and Shadrack Inusah, who skilled participants in various Microsoft Technologies. It was an event that was first organized by Shadrack Inusah, and I had to make sure it came off in 2023 after its inception.
You can follow Prince here:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/primado
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@primado
Blog: https://prince-adimado.hashnode.dev
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Meet a recent Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador graduate: Shreyan Fernandes
This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Shreyan Fernandes, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree of technology in Biomedical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology in India.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
2019
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
It was a once in a lifetime opportunity – a rewarding and exciting journey. I got the chance to represent Microsoft and spread the word about the company’s learning materials to other students on my campus and outside it.
In this journey, I gained quite a few technical skills. It also provided me with a great platform to share these skills amongst the wide learning community globally. In addition to this, I also developed important leadership, collaboration, and communication skills that have aided me in both my academic and professional endeavors.
During my time as a Student Ambassador, I got the opportunity to collaborate with other ambassadors from across the world that rendered learning opportunities which I am excited to share more about.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
My time as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador (MLSA) had a profound impact on me in many ways. Firstly, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Microsoft Cloud Advocates. This experience allowed me to contribute to meaningful initiatives and broaden my knowledge in technology and healthcare technology.
Additionally, I was fortunate enough to publish my work on Microsoft Learn and gain recognition by being featured on Microsoft Reactor, Microsoft Learn, and Microsoft Developer platforms. This recognition not only validated my efforts but also provided a platform to share my insights and knowledge with a wider audience. One of the most unforgettable moments during my journey as a Student Ambassador was witnessing CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, at a conference in India. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be in the presence of such an inspirational leader and listen to his words of wisdom. These experiences enriched my personal and professional growth and left an indelible mark on my journey.
Shreyan poses with others during a Microsoft Tech summit in Bengaluru, India.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
The skills I have cultivated during my MLSA journey have been instrumental in propelling my career forward. Not only have I honed my technical expertise through firsthand experience with major Microsoft technologies like Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Power Platform, but I have also enriched my skill set with an array of soft skills, thanks to this incredible program. Additionally, the MLSA program provided me with the invaluable opportunity to meet and network with fellow Ambassadors and Cloud Advocates. These connections have expanded my professional horizons and introduced me to a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Overall, my experience as a Student Ambassador has been a transformative and multifaceted journey that has contributed to my growth both technically and personally.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
I would like all students around the world to know that the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program is a unique opportunity that can profoundly impact their personal and professional development. It offers a platform to develop not only technical skills but also essential soft skills, fostering a well-rounded competency. Student Ambassadors get to work with innovative Microsoft technologies, collaborate with industry professionals, and gain firsthand experience. The program is a gateway to a world of learning, growth, and opportunities. I encourage every student to explore this program if they are looking to enhance their educational and career journey.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
For new Student Ambassadors embarking on their journey, valuable advice includes embracing continuous learning in the dynamic tech industry, building a strong online personal brand, actively networking with peers and professionals, championing diversity and inclusion, being proactive in project leadership, managing time effectively, seeking feedback for growth, staying adaptable to tech changes, giving back through mentoring, and, most importantly, enjoying the journey for personal and professional development. The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program offers many opportunities, and adhering to this advice ensures a fulfilling and successful experience, making the most of this remarkable journey.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
I chose the quote “Learn to Listen: Listen to Learn” because it encapsulates the essence of effective communication and lifelong learning. This quote highlights the reciprocal relationship between listening and learning. For me, it emphasizes the importance of being an active and attentive listener to acquire knowledge and insight from others. Learning from different perspectives, experiences, and viewpoints of those around us is a valuable source of growth. When we truly listen, we open ourselves to innovative ideas, understanding, and empathy, which are essential for personal and intellectual development. Conversely, the quote also suggests that through learning and expanding our knowledge, we become better listeners. As we gain more information and insights, our capacity to engage in meaningful and informed conversations increases. This reciprocity between listening and learning reinforces the idea that these skills are connected and complementary. “Learn to Listen: Listen to Learn” serves as a reminder that the path to knowledge and personal growth involves not only the acquisition of information but also the willingness and ability to listen, absorb, and reflect upon the wisdom shared by others. It promotes the idea that active listening is a powerful tool for continuous learning and the building of meaningful connections with those around us.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
Participating in the program offered me the unique chance to witness Satya Nadella in person, which was truly captivating. Furthermore, academically, this program has significantly enhanced my skill set.
You can follow Shreyan here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreyan-j-d-fernandes-227789147
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Public Preview: Separation of scan levels for Azure SQL Database and Snowflake in Microsoft Purview
Scanning is a key function that captures metadata from data sources and brings it to Microsoft Purview. In Microsoft Purview Data Map terminology, there are three different levels of scanning based on the metadata scope and functionalities:
L1 scan: Extracts basic information and metadata like file name, size, and fully qualified name
L2 scan: Extracts schema for structured file types and database tables
L3 scan: Extracts schema where applicable and subjects the sampled file to the system and custom classification rules
So far the different scan levels are integral parts of the scanning process that can’t be further separated, for example, users can’t disable the data sampling and classification on data sources that already support classification in Microsoft Purview. To support more usage scenarios and increase flexibility, we will start to add the support of separation of scan levels for different data sources and we are pleased to announce the public preview of this feature for scanning Azure SQL Database and Snowflake. Below we will use scanning Azure SQL Database as an example to introduce this new feature and show some sample scenarios.
Overview of the feature
When data source administrators set up a new scan or edit an existing scan for Azure SQL Database, they will find a new feature available with which the scan level can be customized:
By default, the “Auto detect” will be selected which means Microsoft Purview will apply the highest scan level available for this data source. For Azure SQL Database, the “Auto detect” will be resolved as “Level-3” when the scan is executed as it has already supported classification. The scan level in the scan run detail will show the actual level applied.
For all scan runs in the scan history which were completed before the feature is introduced, by default the scan level will be set and displayed as “Auto detect”.
When a higher scan level becomes available for a data source, the saved or scheduled scans that have scan level set to “Auto detect” will automatically apply the new scan level. For example, if classification as a new feature is enabled for a given data source, all existing scans on this data source will apply classification automatically.
The scan level setting will show in the scan monitoring interface for each scan run.
If “Level-1” is selected, scanning will only return basic technical metadata like asset name, asset size, modified timestamp etc. based on the existing metadata availability of a specific data source. For Azure SQL Database, asset entities like tables will be created in Microsoft Purview Data Map but without table schema extraction. (Note: users can still see the table schema via live view if they have necessary permissions in the source system).
If “Level-2” is selected, scanning will return table schemas as well as basic technical metadata, but data sampling and classification will not be performed. For Azure SQL Database, table asset entities will have table schema captured without classification information.)
If “Level-3” is selected, scanning will perform the data sampling and classification. This is a standard configuration for Azure SQL Database scanning before scan level as a new feature is introduced.
If a scheduled scan is set to a lower scan level and later modified to a higher scan level, the next scan run will automatically perform a full scan and all existing data assets from the data source will be updated with metadata introduced by a higher scan level setting. For example, when a scheduled scan set with “Level-2” on an Azure SQL Database is changed to “Level-3”, the next scan run will be a full scan and all existing Azure SQL Database table/view assets will be updated with classification information, and all scans thereafter will resume as incremental scans set with “Level-3”.
If a scheduled scan is set to a higher scan level and later modified to a lower scan level, the next scan run will continue to perform an incremental scan and all new data assets from the data source will only have metadata introduced by a lower scan level setting. For example, when a scheduled scan set with “Level-3” on an Azure SQL Database is changed to “Level-2”, the next scan run will be an incremental scan and all new Azure SQL Database table/view assets added in Microsoft Purview Data Map will have no classification information. All existing data assets will still keep the classification information generated from the previous scan set with “Level-3”.
Sample usage scenarios
1. Quickly profile a data source like an Azure SQL Database
Users want to scan a data source to develop a general understanding of the data assets in the source data system. For example, data source administrators can set the scan level as “Level-1” when scanning an Azure SQL Database to get information like number of tables, table distribution under different schemas etc. The scan run set with “Level-1” will run faster and save time and cost on a large data source as no schema extraction, data sampling and classification will be performed.
2. Capture table schema from Azure SQL Database for data discovery
Users want to enable data discovery based on the table/view schemas without the need to identify sensitive information. For example, data source administrators can set the scan level as “Level-2” when scanning an Azure SQL Database, the table/view schema information will be captured and data consumers can discover, annotate and manually classify the table/view columns in the Microsoft Purview Data Catalog.
3. Reduce the workload in source data system introduced by classification
Users want to reduce the workload introduced by classification in their source data systems as data classification applies data sampling in the source like sampling Azure SQL Database tables/views. Data source administrators may schedule and run a scan set with “Level-2” with lower workload impact, later change the scan level to “Level-3” or run a separate scan set with “Level-3” to perform classification as needed.
4. Enable classification to detect sensitive information and govern the data
This is the most common scanning scenario applied for all data sources with classification support in Microsoft Purview today.
Available resources and limitations
Currently this feature is only available for Azure SQL Database and Snowflake on Azure IR and Managed VNet IR v2. The support for more sources and integration runtime will come in the future.
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How to use Azure Front Door with Azure Kubernetes Service (Tips and Tricks)
As its definition says – “Azure Front Door is a global, scalable, and secure entry point for fast delivery of your web applications. It offers dynamic site acceleration, SSL offloading, domain and certificate management, application firewall, and URL-based routing”. We can consider this as an Application Gateway at global scale with CDN profile thrown in to spice it up. AGIC or Application Gateway as Ingress Controller is already available and widely used. I received this question recently, asking whether Azure Front Door can be used in the same way. I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel as so many blog posts and YouTube videos are already there on this topic. In this article, I will only discuss different options to implement Azure Front Door with AKS and will add some critical tips you should be aware of. In general, using Azure Front Door with Azure Kubernetes Service has following benefits:
Improve the performance and availability of your web applications by routing the traffic to the closest and healthiest AKS cluster, in case you have multiple such deployments of AKS clusters.
Protect your web applications from malicious attacks by using Azure Front Door’s application firewall and SSL encryption.
Reduce the complexity and cost of managing multiple domains and certificates by using Azure Front Door’s domain and certificate management.
Prerequisites
To follow this guide, you will need the following:
An Azure subscription. If you don’t have one, you can create a free account.
An Azure Front Door resource (Premium).
An AKS cluster.
A web application deployed to your AKS cluster as a deployment or an independent pod. You can use any web application that supports HTTP or HTTPS protocols. To make your life easier, use a simple HTTP based web app.
Private Link and Private Endpoint – you will create it while going forward.
Option1: Using Internal Load Balancer
In this option you will create an internal load balancer within your AKS cluster (under the same namespace) to expose your web app running within the deployment or pod created earlier. This means the load balancer will have an internal IP instead of an external or internet facing IP. This as you may already know, can be done using annotations. Beyond this you will add few more annotations to add a private link to this internal IP of the load balancer. Next, you will connect your Azure Front Door using a private end point to this private link. A detailed blog post can be found here: Connect Azure Front Door Premium to an AKS App origin with Private Link | by James Dumont le Douarec | Microsoft Azure | Medium. Here is a YouTube video that describes the whole process: Publish Your AKS Services with Azure Private Link and Front Door (youtube.com).
Tips:
You don’t need to use all the annotations shown in the video or the blog post. Some of them has default values and will be picked up automatically. For example, Subnet Name, it will be the same subnet of the AKS cluster if not mentioned separately. IP address count id default “1”, hence, you don’t have to mention it exclusively if you want one only. In my case I used something like:
annotations:
service.beta.kubernetes.io/azure-load-balancer-internal: “true”
service.beta.kubernetes.io/azure-pls-create: “true”
service.beta.kubernetes.io/azure-pls-name: “<name of your pls>”
service.beta.kubernetes.io/azure-pls-visibility: “<your subscription ID>”
From your Front Door Menu, under Front Door Manager>default-route>Forwarding protocol, select “HTTP only”.
Also, under Front Door Manager>default-origin-group>Probe method, select “Get”.
Option 2: Using Ingress with Internal IP
The previous option of using internal load balancer, although easy to implement, but has a few limitations:
If you have multiple such web applications, you end up using multiple load balancers. This in turn, uses available IPs from the Virtual Network. This issue is more evident when you are using Azure CNI and all your pods are assigned with new IPs from the IP space of your virtual network.
Although Azure Front Door has so many features, but it is not same as an ingress controller. Both have their different purposes. So, if you are looking for flexibilities you get from standard Ingress Controller such as NGINX or Trafeik, then the previous option may not be suitable. One such example is path-based routing. Standard, in-cluster ingress gives you more preferences.
Using an ingress will help you to overcome both the issues mentioned above. In this case also we will use a private IP, private link, and private endpoint. Unlike to previous option you do not add annotations to the Ingress declaration (YAML). There is a Techcommunity post with detailed info along with Bicep code, YML etc. to create the whole environment: How to expose NGINX Ingress Controller via Azure Front Door and Azure Private Link Service – Microsoft Community Hub.
But before using artifacts from the post mentioned above, I’ll ask you to try it yourself once using a bit simpler method. You already have an AKS cluster and Azure Front End ready. Use following tips to reuse it to check how to use Ingress.
Tips:
I have used NGINX Ingress controller, first I used values file to add annotations while installing the Helm charts for NGINX. Detail about values file is available here: ingress-nginx/charts/ingress-nginx/values.yaml at main · kubernetes/ingress-nginx (github.com). Content of my values.yaml file looks like:
controller:
service:
annotations:
service.beta.kubernetes.io/azure-load-balancer-internal: “true”
service.beta.kubernetes.io/azure-pls-create: “true”
service.beta.kubernetes.io/azure-pls-name: “<your pls name>”
service.beta.kubernetes.io/azure-pls-visibility: “<your subscription ID>”
Now install NGINX Ingress using Helm chart. Make sure you refer the values file:
helm install nginx-ingress ingress-nginx/ingress-nginx -f values.yaml
–set controller.replicaCount=2
–set controller.nodeSelector.”kubernetes.io/os”=linux
–set defaultBackend.nodeSelector.”kubernetes.io/os”=linux
–set controller.admissionWebhooks.patch.nodeSelector.”kubernetes.io/os”=linux
3. You can now create a ClusterIP type service for your deployment/pod and an Ingress to connect to that ClusterIP service. You will see, the Ingress will have an internal IP assigned and a private link is also created. The rest is same as the option 1.
Conclusion
In this blog post, I have shown you how to use Azure Front Door with Azure Kubernetes Service to improve the performance and security of your web applications. You have learned how to:
Configure Azure Front Door to route the traffic using a load balancer.
Configure Azure Front Door to route the traffic using an ingress.
You can use an AGIC with your AKS and connect it to Azure Front Door as well, but this is beyond the discussion point of this article.
I hope you have found this guide useful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Adoption News and Resources – Wrapping up 2023
Hello Friends! It’s been a crazy 2023 and I have to believe that 2024 will be equally fast paced. I posted a video with 3 tips to start the year strong in 2024 given all we are work on across Microsoft 365, Copilot and employee experience areas at Microsoft. I hope you mostly fun and also useful.
I know you will appreciate the downloadable copies of our LinkedIn Adoption Newsletter that I’ve created for you. If you subscribe to our Microsoft Adoption News on LinkedIn then that is wonderful, but if not I wanted to give you a special link here so you don’t have to click around. These documents have all the recent resources we’ve posted on adoption.microsoft.com (AMC), information from across our community and notes about AMC itself. I’ve also included the digital download of an Adoption News Special Supplement – It’s not about the AI, it’s about the Trust – On Becoming an AI Powered Organization. LinkedIn article links are here for the main Newsletter and here for the supplemental paper in case you’d rather engage or share from there.
In this paper I discuss hypothesis and practices yielded from observing early adoption of Copilot experiences, reviewing research and listening to adoption specialist around the world. I’m interested to hear your perspective on the micro-action mapping and the insights that precede that.
Heather Cook and I will return on Monday, January 8th with another fast-paced episode of Mondays at Microsoft to help us keep track of the changes we find ourselves navigating. I hope you can join us, when we stream live at 8am Pacific for 30 minutes or replay.
More than anything I want to say thank you for all you are doing across the communities and in your organization. We are the compass that will keep AI adoption on track. My team and I are so thrilled to share this journey with you!
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Cross-subscription support for SQL MI database copy and move – GA refresh!
Today I’d like to announce the refresh of database copy and move functionality. This refresh is brining support for cross-subscription copy and move operations within an Azure tenant. This means that if you are using multiple subscriptions under the same Azure tenant and are hosting multiple SQL Managed Instances under those subscriptions, now you can perform online, cross-instance database copy and move operations across all instances under the same tenant.
This is especially useful for those who are separating test and production environments with different subscriptions. Now, you will be able to promote a prepared database in test environment to your production subscription and environment, or to bring your production database to your test subscription to thoroughly investigate a new query performance regression.
How to perform cross-subscription copy and move operations?
Cross-subscriptions are supported with all standard interfaces, meaning via Azure portal, Azure PowerShell and CLI and REST API.
To start the operation via Azure Portal, you just go through the standard flow and on the destination details tab choose the Azure subscription.
Once the cross-subscription copy or move operation is completed, you will see the details of the operation, like in the example below.
And the same can be automated with scripts. Here’s an example of Az.Sql PowerShell.
Copy-AzSqlInstanceDatabase -DatabaseName ‘db_copy_102’ -InstanceName ‘sqlmi001’ -ResourceGroupName ‘resourceGroup1’ -TargetResourceGroupName ‘resourceGroup2’ -TargetInstanceName ‘sqlmi002’
## Wait for the operation to be ready for completion.
Complete-AzSqlInstanceDatabaseCopy -DatabaseName ‘db_copy_102’ -InstanceName ‘sqlmi001’ -ResourceGroupName ‘resourceGroup1’ -TargetResourceGroupName ‘resourceGroup2’ -TargetInstanceName ‘sqlmi002’
That’s right – with Az.Sql you don’t even specify the source and target subscriptions – the backend will find them for you.
Recommended content
Documentation for Azure SQL Managed Instance database copy and move operations.
GA of database copy and move for Azure SQL Managed Instance.
Azure PowerShell for database copy and move.
DEMO VIDEO for database copy and move.
Wrap-up
I think this would be it for 2023. This was a great year for SQL MI!
I wish you happy holidays, and I’m looking forward to a great year ahead of us and a number of great SQL MI announcements that will come in 2024!
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Adoption News and Resources – Wrapping up 2023
Hello Friends! It’s been a crazy 2023 and I have to believe that 2024 will be equally fast paced. I posted a video with 3 tips to start the year strong in 2024 given all we are work on across Microsoft 365, Copilot and employee experience areas at Microsoft. I hope you mostly fun and also useful.
I know you will appreciate the downloadable copies of our LinkedIn Adoption Newsletter that I’ve created for you. If you subscribe to our Microsoft Adoption News on LinkedIn then that is wonderful, but if not I wanted to give you a special link here so you don’t have to click around. These documents have all the recent resources we’ve posted on adoption.microsoft.com (AMC), information from across our community and notes about AMC itself. I’ve also included the digital download of an Adoption News Special Supplement – It’s not about the AI, it’s about the Trust – On Becoming an AI Powered Organization. LinkedIn article links are here for the main Newsletter and here for the supplemental paper in case you’d rather engage or share from there.
In this paper I discuss hypothesis and practices yielded from observing early adoption of Copilot experiences, reviewing research and listening to adoption specialist around the world. I’m interested to hear your perspective on the micro-action mapping and the insights that precede that.
Heather Cook and I will return on Monday, January 8th with another fast-paced episode of Mondays at Microsoft to help us keep track of the changes we find ourselves navigating. I hope you can join us, when we stream live at 8am Pacific for 30 minutes or replay.
More than anything I want to say thank you for all you are doing across the communities and in your organization. We are the compass that will keep AI adoption on track. My team and I are so thrilled to share this journey with you!
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Lesson Learned #462: Understanding the Key Updates in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 19.1
Introduction:
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 19.1 has introduced a range of updates and changes, enhancing its database management capabilities. This article provides a summary of these changes, offering insights into how they impact the functionality and user experience of SSMS.
1. Driver Updates and Configuration Changes:
SSMS 19.1 features a significant shift from System.Data.Sqlclient (SDS) to Microsoft.Data.Sqlclient (MDS), impacting how SQL Server connections are managed. This change includes validation of certificates, a new feature in MDS 3.x not present in SDS 3.x. For more details, see the full article.
2. Authentication Library Transition:
The migration from Azure Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL) to Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL) is another critical update. This transition responds to the end of support and development for ADAL, with MSAL offering updated capabilities aligned with the Microsoft identity platform endpoint. For further information, refer to the Microsoft Tech Community article.
3. SQL Vulnerability Assessment Removal:
The SQL Vulnerability Assessment feature has been removed from SSMS 19.1 and incorporated into Microsoft Defender for SQL. This change aims to provide real-time updates and consistent vulnerability scanning across cloud and on-premises resources. Detailed information can be found in the Part 2 of the SSMS 19.1 changes series.
4. Startup Time Improvements:
Efforts to reduce the startup time of SSMS have been made, including delaying the output window’s initialization. These improvements are part of ongoing enhancements to optimize the tool’s performance. For more insights, check the detailed blog post.
5. “Can’t Reach This Page” Error:
A common issue in SSMS 19.1, especially in restricted network environments, is the “Can’t reach this page” error when using Microsoft Entra authentication. This problem stems from the default browser setting change in SSMS 19.1. Solutions and explanations for this issue are provided in the dedicated blog post.
URLs:
SSMS 19 driver changes (microsoft.com)
SSMS 19.1 (microsoft.com)
SSMS 19.1 New Features (microsoft.com)
Azure Data Studio 1.46 (microsoft.com)
Can’t reach this page (microsoft.com)
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