Opening a "sandbox" environment in Azure depends on what you mean by "sandbox." There isn't a single feature labeled "Sandbox" directly accessible in the Azure portal. Instead, you'll likely be creating an environment that functions as a sandbox. Here are a couple of common interpretations and how to achieve them:
1. Using the Microsoft Learn Sandbox
This refers to the free, temporary Azure environment provided by Microsoft Learn for completing modules. This is the easiest and most common way to experience a sandbox environment.
How to open the Microsoft Learn Sandbox:
- Go to a Microsoft Learn Module: Navigate to a Microsoft Learn module that offers a sandbox. Look for the phrase "Activate sandbox" near the top of the page.
- Activate the Sandbox: Click the "Activate sandbox" button. You may need to authenticate with your Microsoft account.
- Follow the Prompts: Follow any on-screen prompts to activate the sandbox. This usually involves accepting permissions.
- Access Resources: Once activated, the module will guide you through using Azure resources within the sandbox environment. These resources are automatically cleaned up after a set period (typically a few hours).
Key Features:
- Free: No Azure subscription required.
- Temporary: Resources are automatically deleted.
- Limited Resources: The sandbox provides a limited set of Azure resources for learning purposes.
- Guided Learning: Designed for use with specific Microsoft Learn modules.
2. Creating Your Own Azure Sandbox Environment
This involves creating a separate Azure environment within your own subscription that you can use for testing and experimentation without affecting your production resources.
How to Create Your Own Azure Sandbox:
While the reference mentions selecting "Sandbox" after clicking "Create a Resource," this isn't quite accurate. You'll be setting up your own isolated environment. Here's how to do it:
- Sign in to the Azure Portal: Go to the Azure portal and sign in with your Azure account.
- Create a Resource Group: Resource groups are containers that hold related resources for an Azure solution. Create a new resource group specifically for your sandbox.
- Click on "Resource groups" in the Azure portal.
- Click "+ Create".
- Choose a name for your sandbox resource group (e.g.,
sandbox-rg). - Select a region. It's generally best to choose a region close to you.
- Click "Review + create" and then "Create".
- Create Resources Within the Resource Group: Now, create the Azure resources you want to use in your sandbox environment within the newly created resource group. This could include Virtual Machines, Storage Accounts, Databases, etc. When creating these resources, ensure you select your sandbox resource group as the target.
- Implement Cost Management (Optional but Recommended): To avoid unexpected charges:
- Set a Budget: Use Azure Cost Management to set a budget for your sandbox resource group. You can configure alerts to notify you when you approach or exceed your budget.
- Use Azure Policy: Implement Azure Policy to restrict the types of resources that can be deployed in the sandbox, preventing the deployment of expensive resources.
- Automate Shutdown: Use Azure Automation or Logic Apps to automatically shut down virtual machines when they're not in use.
- Clean Up Regularly: Delete the entire resource group when you no longer need the sandbox environment. This will delete all resources within the group, preventing further charges.
Key Considerations for a Custom Sandbox:
- Cost: You are responsible for the costs of resources deployed in your Azure subscription, even within a sandbox.
- Isolation: Ensure your sandbox environment is isolated from your production environment. Use separate resource groups, virtual networks, and security configurations.
- Management: You are responsible for managing the resources in your sandbox, including updates, patching, and security.
- Permissions: Limit access to your sandbox environment to authorized users.
In summary, there isn't a single "Sandbox" button in Azure. You can use the Microsoft Learn sandboxes for guided learning, or create your own isolated environment within your Azure subscription using resource groups and cost management techniques.
