Azure Admin Starter Kit (Free Download)

Get the complete Azure Admin Starter Kit — everything you need to start managing Azure infrastructure effectively, all in one place.

This guide is part of our AI-Assisted Azure Operations hub exploring how AI tools transform cloud administration and productivity workflows.

17,700+ words of battle-tested commands, queries, and templates from a production banking environment.

What's Inside

This free bundle includes five essential resources I use daily managing 31,000+ Azure resources:

1. Azure Command Finder (Interactive Tool) ⚡ NEW

Interactive troubleshooting tool — select your problem, get exact commands:

Can't RDP to VM
Domain join failures
Group Policy not applying
Unexpected high costs
VM won't start
Linux VM domain join

Features:
- Step-by-step command workflows
- Copy-paste buttons for every command
- Works offline (download and open in browser)
- No installation required

Perfect for: Quick troubleshooting, training new team members, 3 AM emergencies

🛠️ Open Azure Command Finder (Interactive Tool)

2. KQL Query Library (PDF)

45+ production-ready queries for Azure Resource Graph, Log Analytics, and cost analysis.

VM inventory across subscriptions
Cost analysis and optimization
Security and compliance auditing
Performance monitoring
Tag governance
Network configuration queries

Perfect for: Daily operations, compliance reporting, cost management

📥 Download KQL Query Library (PDF)

Or view the web version: KQL Cheat Sheet - Complete Guide

3. 50 Windows Commands for Azure (9,200 words)

Complete PowerShell + CMD reference for Azure Windows Server VMs, including:

Azure VM Agent troubleshooting
Active Directory domain join (traditional AD, not just Azure AD DS)
Group Policy debugging (the stuff Microsoft doesn't document)
Serial Console (SAC) workflows when RDP fails
Domain trust repair with Test-ComputerSecureChannel
Event log analysis for security and performance
Network troubleshooting
Disk operations

Perfect for: Windows Server admins, AD troubleshooting, enterprise environments, regulated industries

📖 Read: 50 Windows Commands for Azure (Full Guide)

4. 50 Linux Commands for Azure (8,500 words)

Complete command reference for Ubuntu, RHEL, and CentOS on Azure:

Azure-specific operations (VM Agent, IMDS, cloud-init)
Active Directory domain join (from Linux! Traditional AD, not just AADDS)
System administration (processes, services, users)
Network troubleshooting (DNS, connectivity, firewall)
Disk operations (partitioning, formatting, mounting)
Security and logs (event logs, authentication)
realm join workflows for enterprise AD integration

Perfect for: Linux admins, hybrid environments, cross-platform operations

📖 Read: 50 Linux Commands for Azure (Full Guide)

5. Azure RACI Template (PDF)

Responsibility matrix for Azure operations teams:

Clear role definitions (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed)
Covers governance, cost management, security, and operations
Pre-filled with common Azure tasks
Editable for your environment

Perfect for: Team alignment, documentation, enterprise governance

📥 Download Azure RACI Template (PDF)

Why This Bundle?

These are the resources I wish existed when I started managing Azure.

Instead of scattered documentation, expensive courses, and trial-and-error, you get:

✅ Copy-paste ready - All commands and queries work in production
✅ Battle-tested - Used daily in a 31,000+ resource environment
✅ Operations-focused - Real problems, real solutions
✅ No fluff - Only what actually works

No email required. No signup. Just download and use.

Who Is This For?

Azure Administrators

Managing Azure VMs, cost, and governance daily

Cloud Architects

Designing Azure infrastructure and operations processes

DevOps Engineers

Automating Azure deployments and troubleshooting issues

IT Operations Teams

Supporting enterprise Azure environments

Career Switchers

Learning Azure for new opportunities

Get Started Now

Step 1: Get the Interactive Tool

Start here: 🛠️ Azure Command Finder (Interactive Tool)

This interactive tool gives you instant troubleshooting workflows for common Azure problems. Click a problem, get the exact commands.

Step 2: Download the Resources

Step 3: Use the KQL Queries

If you're new to Azure operations, start with the KQL Query Library. These queries help you:

Understand what's running in your subscriptions
Identify cost optimization opportunities
Audit security and compliance
Monitor performance and health

Step 4: Bookmark the Command Guides

Keep the Windows and Linux command guides bookmarked. When you run into issues at 3 AM:

Domain join failures
Group Policy not applying
Network connectivity problems
Disk operations

You'll have the exact commands you need.

Step 5: Share with Your Team

Use the RACI template to document roles and responsibilities. Clear ownership prevents:

Duplicate work
Missed tasks
Confusion during incidents
Unclear escalation paths

What's Next?

Want More Azure Content?

I publish 2-3 posts per week covering:

Azure FinOps and cost optimization
KQL queries for specific scenarios
Operations challenges Microsoft doesn't document
Real-world Azure architecture decisions

Subscribe to get practical Azure insights:

Questions?

Have questions about Azure operations, cost management, or governance?

Browse the complete blog
Check out Content Hubs for organized topics
Search for specific issues using site search

About These Resources

I'm David Swann, an Azure Architect managing enterprise-scale Azure infrastructure (44 subscriptions, 31,000+ resources) in a regulated banking environment.

These resources come from real production experience:

Documented actual problems I solved
Tested in regulated banking environment
Built for operations teams, not lab environments
No vendor marketing — just what works

Everything here is free because I wish it existed when I started.

Last updated: December 2025. All resources tested on Azure production environments.