Microsoft Azure App Service (Docker-based) and Azure Database for PostgreSQL Servers to Deploy a Fully Managed Wiki site
In project, inspired by a real-world scenario, I took on the role of a Cloud Engineer to solve the challenge of managing documents in a decentralized manner, which posed risks of data inconsistency and inefficiencies. The solution was to migrate all these documents to a cloud-based Wiki, accessible by the entire team. This enabled collaborative document creation, allowed team members to track the latest document versions, and provided a platform for proposing improvements.
The deployment utilized Microsoft Azure App Service (Docker-based) and Azure Database for PostgreSQL Servers, ensuring that all important documents, such as Runbooks and Knowledge Bases (KBs), were stored in a centralized and consistent manner. This prevented data inconsistencies and improved document management across the organization.
Project Use Case Description & Steps:
Step 1: Creating an Azure PostgreSQL DB Instance
- Provisioned an Azure Database for PostgreSQL to serve as the backend for the Wiki.
Step 2: Setting Up Azure Firewall for PostgreSQL
Configured the Azure Firewall to allow access to Azure services:
- Added Client IP address for Inbound connections
- Allow access to Azure services: Yes
- Downloaded pgAdmin 4–8.10 for PostgreSQL (Windows database tool)
- Configured the pgAdmin 4–8.10 Tool
- Verified Login for the pgAdmin 4–8.10 Tool
Step 3: Creating a New Azure App Service (Docker-based)
- Deployed a new Azure App Service configured to run a Docker image for the Wiki application.
- Image and Tag: requarks/wiki:2
Step 4: Configuring the App Service
- Configured the environment variables for the App Service to connect to the PostgreSQL database:
Step 5: Restarting App Service & Checking Logs
- Restarted the App Service to apply the configuration.
- Verified that the service was running correctly by checking logs and accessing the provided URL.
Step 6: Setting Up the Wiki
- Logged into the Wiki via <URL>/login https://wikiweb….azurewebsites.net
Accessed the admin menu at <URL>/a to perform initial setup:
- Updated the Site Name and Logo.
- Customized the login background image.
- Created the Home Page for the Wiki.
Additional Considerations:
For a production environment, additional integrations could be implemented, such as:
- Backup Integration: Using Microsoft Azure Blob Storage for backups.
- Authentication: Integrating with Azure Active Directory for enhanced authentication and user management.
Conclusion:
The successful completion of this final Azure Bootcamp project showcased the power and flexibility of Microsoft Azure services in deploying a managed Wiki solution. This project not only centralized document management but also enhanced collaboration across the team, providing a robust and scalable solution for future needs
