Documenting my journey through cloud, automation, and beyond.
Jonathan Sodeke Introduction Every system administrator knows patching isn’t glamorous, but it’s the backbone of security. I’ve seen firsthand how one missed update can create a vulnerability that attackers are quick to exploit. In hybrid environments — where you’re managing on-prem servers, cloud workloads, and laptops that live on coffee shop Wi-Fi — patching feels like solving … Read more
Introduction Permanent admin rights might feel convenient, but they’re also one of the biggest security risks in any organization. If an attacker compromises a Global Admin account in Azure AD (now Entra ID), they instantly gain unrestricted access. That’s why more and more organizations are adopting Privileged Identity Management (PIM). PIM reduces risk by ensuring … Read more
Introduction Networking is one of those things you don’t notice when it’s working but immediately hear about when it’s not. In Azure, the foundation of networking is built on Virtual Networks (VNets), subnets, and firewalls. These three pieces work together to organize, connect, and secure resources. For system administrators, understanding how they fit together is … Read more
Introduction Moving to the cloud is like moving into a new house: it’s exciting, but without rules, labeling, and structure, it doesn’t take long before things get messy. Suddenly, you’ve got mystery VMs running, storage accounts nobody owns, and invoices that make finance wonder if you’re secretly mining Bitcoin. That’s where cloud governance comes in. … Read more
Introduction Cloud platforms generate logs like email spam: constant, noisy, and often ignored until there’s a problem. Azure Monitor is excellent for tracking resource performance, but modern IT environments are rarely just “all Azure.” Most organizations run hybrid and multi-cloud environments with dozens of SaaS apps, on-prem firewalls, and legacy systems still humming in the … Read more
Introduction Data migration is one of the most frequent yet high-stakes responsibilities for cloud administrators. Whether you are moving from on-premises file servers, consolidating workloads across Azure subscriptions, or re-architecting storage for cost efficiency, migrations must be handled with precision. Poorly executed migrations can lead to data loss, downtime, unexpected costs, or even compliance violations. … Read more
Introduction In tech conversations, “disaster recovery” (DR) and “high availability” (HA) often get used like they’re synonyms. Spoiler alert: they’re not. One is about making sure a hiccup doesn’t cause downtime. The other is about surviving a worst-case scenario without turning your IT department into a panic room. For system and cloud administrators, the difference … Read more
Introduction Once upon a time, security was simple: put a firewall around the office, hand out passwords, and call it a day. But with remote work, cloud services, and every device from laptops to smart fridges connecting to the network, the old “castle and moat” security model is about as effective as locking the front … Read more
Introduction When organizations first migrate to Azure, there’s a natural tendency to go big. Bigger VMs, faster disks, extra storage. After all, the cloud is infinite, right? The problem is, your budget isn’t infinite, and without discipline, Azure bills can balloon faster than a lawyer billing by the hour. As a cloud administrator, cost optimization … Read more
Azure PowerShell automation tasks are one of the fastest ways for administrators to improve efficiency in cloud management. As environments grow, repeating the same manual steps across dozens or hundreds of resources becomes unsustainable. That’s where automation shines. For Azure administrators, PowerShell is one of the most powerful tools for streamlining operations. It reduces human … Read more