DevOps

Host Your Web Application in Azure Cloud with These Simple Steps

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Introduction

Microsoft Azure provides a versatile cloud ecosystem for hosting web applications, balancing ease of use with powerful customization. Options include Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) for full control, Azure App Service for managed hosting, and Azure Functions for serverless execution. This document walks you through deploying a web app (e.g., a Python Flask app) on Azure from India, covering setup, deployment, and scaling as of February 20, 2025. Whether you’re a physics grad exploring tech or a seasoned dev, this guide gets your app online.

Prerequisites

You’ll need:

An Azure account (sign up at azure.microsoft.com) with $200 free credit for 30 days.
Azure CLI installed (docs.microsoft.com/cli/azure).
A web app ready (e.g., Python Flask with app.py, requirements.txt).
Git installed for deployment

Method 1: Hosting with Virtual Machines

Step 1: Create a VM

Log into the Azure Portal, go to Virtual Machines > Create.
Configure:

Resource Group: web-rg (create new).
Name: web-vm.
Region: South India (for low latency).
Image: Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS.
Size: B1s (free tier eligible).
Authentication: SSH public key (generate or use existing).

Under Networking, enable port 80 (HTTP).
Click Review + Create, then Create.

Step 2: Set Up the VM

SSH in:

ssh <username>@<public-ip>

Find the public IP in the VM’s Overview tab.

Update and install Python:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y python3-pip python3-venv

Step 3: Deploy Your App

Clone or upload your app:

git clone <your-repo> ~/web-appcd ~/web-app

Set up a virtual environment:

python3 -m venv venvsource venv/bin/activatepip install -r requirements.txt

Run the app:

python app.py

Example Flask app:

from flask import Flaskapp = Flask(__name__)@app.route('/')def home(): return "Hello from Azure!"if __name__ == "__main__": app.run(host='0.0.0.0', port=80)

Step 4: Keep It Running

Use gunicorn for production:

pip install gunicorngunicorn --bind 0.0.0.0:80 app:app

Add systemd service later for persistence.

Step 5: Test It

Visit http://<public-ip> in a browser.

Method 2: Hosting with App Service

Step 1: Create an App Service

In Azure Portal, go to App Services > Create.
Set up:

Resource Group: web-rg.
Name: mywebapp (unique, e.g., mywebapp123).
Runtime: Python 3.11.
Region: South India.
Pricing: Free F1 tier.

Click Review + Create, then Create.

Step 2: Deploy Your App

Install Azure CLI locally:

az login

Configure Git deployment:

az webapp deployment source config-local-git --name mywebapp --resource-group web-rg

Copy the returned Git URL (e.g.,https://<user>@mywebapp.scm.azurewebsites.net/mywebapp.git).

Push your app:

git remote add azure <git-url>git push azure main

Ensure requirements.txt and app.py are in the repo root.

Step 3: Verify Deployment

Visit: https://mywebapp.azurewebsites.net.

Check logs:

az webapp log tail --name mywebapp --resource-group web-rg

Additional Configuration

Scaling

VM: Manually add VMs or use a load balancer (az vm create for more instances).
App Service: Upgrade to B1 tier (~$13/month) via Portal > Scale Up, or enable auto-scaling:

Scale Out > Add Rule > CPU > 70% > Increase by 1 instance.

Security

HTTPS: App Service provides free SSL (*.azurewebsites.net).
Firewall: For VM, adjust NSG rules in Networking tab (e.g., allow port 80 only).

Static Files

Use Azure Blob Storage:

az storage blob upload --account-name <storage-account> --container-name my-container --file image.jpg

Troubleshooting

VM: SSH fails? Check NSG rules or reboot via Portal.
App Service: Deployment stuck? Verify requirements.txt or runtime version.
404 Error: Ensure Flask app listens on port 80 or matches Azure’s expected port.

Cost Considerations

Free Tier: F1 App Service (60 CPU minutes/day) and B1s VM (limited usage) are free initially.
Paid: VM costs ~$13/month (B1s), App Service scales with usage. See Azure Pricing.

Which AWS Hosting Type Should You Choose?

Azure offers flexible hosting options for web applications, from the hands on control of Virtual Machines to the streamlined ease of App Service. For a Python Flask app, App Service provides a quick, managed solution, while VMs suit custom needs all accessible from India with South India region support. With free tiers, robust scaling and built-in security, Azure empowers developers to deploy globally. Start with App Service for simplicity, then explore VMs or Azure Functions as your project evolves.

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