Leveraging Azure Arc cluster extensions on Cluster API Azure clusters

by Contributed | Apr 6, 2021 | Technology

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

In December 2020, we introduced the Cluster API Provider for Azure (CAPZ) to enable users to operate self-managed Kubernetes clusters on Azure infrastructure. CAPZ empowers you to build and manage Kubernetes clusters on Azure using the same tools and methods you are already using to manage your Kubernetes workloads. Changing a configuration on the cluster becomes as easy as running a `kubectl patch` command. 

Started by the Kubernetes Special Interest Group (SIG) Cluster Lifecycle, the Cluster API project uses Kubernetes-style APIs and patterns to automate cluster lifecycle management for platform operators. CAPZ is the Azure provider implementation of Cluster API and it is backed by Cluster API’s vibrant community that of engineers from cloud providers, ISVs and the wider FOSS community.  

Since December, the community has continued growing, welcoming new members like GiantSwarm, getting closer to a v1alpha4 release, and starting to plan the v1beta1 release. While the v1alpha4 cycle was focused mostly on stability and iterative improvements, paving the way for a 1.0 release, some of the recent notable feature additions include support for Windows nodes and automatic remediation of unhealthy control plane machines via MachineHealthChecks. 

As we look forward to the upcoming release, one capability that has been requested by users of CAPZ is the ability to integrate Azure services with your Kubernetes cluster, such as turning on Azure Monitor to track the health and performance of your workloads, or enabling Azure Active Directory (AD) role-based access control (RBAC) to limit access to cluster resources based a user’s identity or group membership. This is similar to the concept of AKS and AKS Engine addons that you might already be familiar with. But what if you could do this the same way across all your Kubernetes clusters? 

Today, we’re excited to announce three new features for Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes that address the above-mentioned problems:  

Cluster extensions introduces an Azure Resource Manager driven approach for deployment and lifecycle management of Azure Monitor and Azure Defender for Kubernetes. As each cluster extension gets its own Azure Resource Manager representation, you’ll now be able to leverage Azure Policy for at-scale deployment of these extensions across all your CAPZ clusters as well.  

Azure RBAC for Arc enabled Kubernetes allows you to control authorization checks happening on your CAPZ clusters using role assignments on the Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes resource. These role assignments can be done at the cluster scope or namespace scope to account for multi-tenant scenarios on the same cluster. In addition to the built-in roles defined as part of this feature, custom roles could be authored and consumed in role assignments to control the permissions on Kubernetes resources at a more granular level. 

Custom locations on top of Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes is envisioned to be an evolution of the Azure location construct. It provides a way for tenant administrators to utilize their Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes clusters as target locations to deploy instances of Azure services. Examples of such Azure resources are Azure Arc enabled SQL Managed Instance and Azure Arc enabled PostgreSQL Hyperscale. Like Azure locations, end users within the tenant who have access to Custom Locations can deploy these Azure PaaS resources on their self-managed Kubernetes clusters where they have complete control on the specification of the CAPZ cluster. 

Learn more about Cluster API + CAPZ 

• Get started with Cluster API 


• Explore the Cluster API documentation 


• Explore the CAPZ documentation 

Join the Cluster API community 

• Join the community on Slack at #cluster-api and #cluster-api-azure 


• Join the Cluster API office hours and watch recordings of past calls 

Learn more about Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes: 

• Documentation on connecting your cluster to Azure Arc  


• Cluster extensions documentation 


• Azure RBAC documentation 


• Custom Locations documentation 

Six tips to get the most out of Microsoft To Do in iOS

by Contributed | Apr 6, 2021 | Technology

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

When you’re juggling work and personal tasks, having clearly defined to-do lists can help reduce stress and improve productivity. Microsoft To Do helps you manage your tasks so you can get more time for yourself. It seamlessly syncs your tasks across devices, so you always have access to them, whether you use To Do on Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows, or the web.

In the third installment of our six tips series, we’ll show you some nifty ways to make the most out of To Do on your iOS device. (Check out our other six tips articles for Windows and Android.)

1. Use Siri to add tasks and open lists in To Do

Want a super-fast way to add a task or open a list in To Do? We’ve got you covered. Here’s how to add “Open list” or “Add task” as shortcuts in Siri:

Adding a task with Siri

1. Head to your To Do settings and tap on Siri Shortcuts, then tap on the plus icon + next to Add Task.  


2. Pick the phrase you want to use with Siri. For example, if you want a shortcut to add something to your grocery list, you can change the When I say phrase to “Add groceries”.  


3. Under Do, select Add task and pick the name of the list you want to add tasks to.


4. If you want new tasks to be marked as important, come with reminders, or be added to My Day, tap on Show More and configure it the way you want. Once you’re done, select Back > Add to Siri.   

Opening a list with Siri

1. Head to your To Do settings and tap on Siri Shortcuts, then tap on the plus button  next to Open List.  


2. Pick the phrase you want as your shortcut, like “Open grocery list”.


3. Under Do, select Add task, then select List and pick your grocery list.


4. Select Back to go to the Add to Siri page, then select Add to Siri.

2. Create shortcuts to your lists on your device’s home screen

In To Do for iOS, you can create shortcuts to your lists on your home screen. (Note: you’ll need to install the Siri Shortcuts app to be able to do this.)

Here’s how to add shortcuts to your lists:

1. Create a Siri shortcut to open a list.  


2. Open the Shortcuts app and open the created shortcut.


3. Tap the three dots  to see more options. Tap on the option to add the shortcut to your home screen.


4. Check that the shortcut shows up on your home screen.

In To Do for iOS, you can create shortcuts. Or, if you’re using iOS 14, you can add a shortcut with the Shortcuts widget.

3. Glance at your tasks from the iOS 14 widgets

If you’re using iOS 14, you can check out a To Do list from your home screen with the new Microsoft To Do widgets. To set this up:

1. Long press on any empty space on your home screen, then tap the plus icon [] to open the widgets menu.


2.  Search for To Do or scroll down to find Microsoft To Do, then add the widget of your choice.

Learn more about To Do iOS 14 widgets.

4. Quickly add task details

You don’t need to fiddle around with due dates and reminder times when creating a task. When typing a task’s title, include when it’s due or when you want to be reminded in that title and Microsoft To Do will create a task with that due date or reminder time.

5. View your Microsoft To Do lists in Apple’s Reminders app
Microsoft To Do is integrated with Apple’s Reminders app so you can view your To Do lists in Reminders if you use iOS 12 or later. Here’s how to link your Microsoft To Do account with Apple’s Reminders app:

1. Open your device’s settings and select Reminders > Add Account.


2. Add the email address associated with your Microsoft To Do account. When you open Apple’s Reminders app, you should be able to see your Microsoft To Do lists.

Note: currently shared lists and smart lists like My Day, Planned, Assigned to you, Important, and Flagged email won’t show up in Apple’s Reminders app.

6. Swipe actions

You can take a number of actions on a task just by swiping left or right. By swiping, you can:

1. Delete a task. Tap on the task, swipe from right to left, tap the trash can icon, and confirm that you want to delete the task.


2. Add a task to My Day. Tap on the task, swipe from left to right, and select the sun icon . Once a task is added to My Day, you can swipe from left to right again to remove it.


3. Move a task from one list to another. Tap on the task, swipe from left to right, and select the icon that looks like a list with an arrow. Tap it and pick the list you want to move your task to.

We hope these tips help you out! We’d love to hear your feedback. Let us know in the comments below or connect with us on Twitter and Facebook. You can also write to us at todofeedback@microsoft.com.

The Human-Technology Symbiosis: An EDU Success Story

by Contributed | Apr 6, 2021 | Technology

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

This article was written by Tracy Van der Schyff, a Business Applications and Office Apps & Services MVP, from South Africa. She shares her personal journey to support educators and teachers globally through community efforts. 

To identify and celebrate success, we need to have empathy and compassion for the challenges that our fellow #HumansofIT experience. Low self esteems can make us wonder if we add any value, and this cannot be further from the truth. Never forget that an extended hand lifts someone up, and that together we can make a difference and overcome the greatest of challenges life presents us with.

To understand why this success story is so important to me, I must first share a glimpse into my colourful life with you. We all have a purpose of being (even multiples), some have figured it out, some of us are creating it for ourselves, and others are still searching.

I spent many years searching and at 40, I had an epiphany with relation to my “purpose”.  It all started with an image. The image was of the Ikigai Venn Diagram. Although this is the “western interpretation” and more accurately represents a Purpose Venn Diagram. Still, it had a profound impact on my life.

Ikigai & doing your part

My most important realisation was that I had never given myself enough credit to say that I was good at something, which meant that I felt unbalanced and that I had no purpose. As soon as I gained awareness of this “self-abuse” I was subjecting myself to, I focused even more on enabling others, especially when they do not have the means to do so themselves. It became clear as daylight that millions of others were doing the same, not believing in themselves and due to this, not achieving what they are capable of.

Over the next couple of years I wrote / created nearly a thousand blogs & videos (see more about my crazy personal challenge here) and joined various social media groups across Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to help support the incredible #HumansofIT out there.

I came across the Microsoft Teams for Education Group on Facebook and got involved.

Microsoft Teams for Education

Of course, 2020 delivered a curve ball and I saw the group rapidly grow from 10,000 members to 60,000. Most of those being teachers in desperate need of support. I saw something in this group during the year which both scared me and inspired me. The emotions in the group went through the typical stages of the Kubler Ross Change Model Curve:  Shock, denial, frustration, depression, experiment, decision and eventually integration.

It broke my heart as I could see that many of these teachers did not have the internal IT support in their companies / institutions they needed. I was also overwhelmed with gratitude towards the thousands who were helping (Microsoft employees, MVP’s, and community members) by answering questions and making suggestions to help these educational superheroes navigate these incredibly difficult times. Also, never losing sight, that by helping, we were all having a positive impact on our future (learners / students).

The Kubler Ross Change Curve – Success story 1

Towards the end of 2020 I noticed a change in the group. The teachers started supporting each other, sharing tips and tricks, cool new features and in general being more positive. This of course being the “experiment, decision and eventually integration” phase. I was overjoyed. A self-sustaining ecosystem of community support and love had evolved, right in front of our eyes.

Although not my success story to tell, it is a success story that needs to be highlighted and from the bottom of my heart – thank you to everyone who was (and is) part of that process.

ADvTECH Group – Success story 2

This brings me to the second success story. I have had the privilege to work with ADvTECH Group in South Africa, which consists of many schools and tertiary divisions. During 2020 I ‘nervously’ reached out to see how they were doing. I was pleasantly surprised when their overall experience had been positive, even though they had also moved completely to just using Microsoft Teams during this period.  I was convinced that they must have done something different, which they had.

Soon Allie Thompson (Wieczorek) and I were “scheming ideas” on how to tell this story at Microsoft Ignite, which of course happened on the 4^th of March, 2021. I was fortunate to be the moderator for this incredible panel which consisted of a EdTech Admin, Teacher & Student. I was so inspired by the passion, compassion, and empathy they share, and I am sure you will be as well.

So, block out 30 minutes in your calendar, go get a cup of coffee or tea and watch the video recording to see how they approached the most difficult “test” the education space has ever been challenged with and not only survived, but thrived.