Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure#

Microsoft Azure is a public cloud provider that offers computing and storage resources, including access to AI models and services (see Northwestern Guidance on the Use of Generative AI ). With appropriate security controls enabled, Microsoft Azure can be used with Northwestern Level 2 and some Level 3 data (see Northwestern’s Data Classification Policy ).

Available Tutorials#

Azure has extensive online documentation for all of its services. Several tutorials are available here focused on specific research-related tasks:

  • Azure Basics: Learn about accounts and subscriptions, navigating the Azure portal, and resources and resource groups.

  • Using Azure AI Resources: Learn how to create Azure AI resources, deploy OpenAI models, and interact with those models.

Requesting an Azure Subscription#

Azure has a limited number of free resources you can deploy to learn how to use them or support small needs. If you do not yet have an Azure subscription and log in to Azure, you may be able to deploy these limited, free resources. However, you will not be able to access any free Azure resources once your account is associated with a paid Northwestern Azure subscription.

To access paid Azure resources, you need access to an Azure subscription . Northwestern subscriptions have access to Azure’s Premier support.

To set up a subscription:

  1. Obtain a Blanket Purchase Order (PO) that aligns with your estimated costs. If you’re not sure how to calculate your expected costs, request a cloud consultation .

  2. Request an Azure subscription by filling out the Public Cloud Account Request form .

  3. Finish setting up your subscription with the Northwestern IT Cloud Enablement Team by email. They will need the following information:

    • The chartstring associated with the Blanket PO

    • Confirmation of the purpose of your account

When the account is approved and set up, you will receive an email on how to access your account.

Using Azure#

Log in to https://portal.azure.com/ with your Northwestern credentials.

When a Northwestern Azure subscription is created, the owner and technical contact are given administrator permissions. These users can add others to the administrator group using the Cayosoft group management tool .

See the tutorials listed above for more details.