App Configuration

Allows to store and manage Application Configuration
It is a simple key value store that allows to save non-sensitive configuration information
The values stored in App Configuration are not encrypted
App Configuration has support for Hierarchical storage which allows us to fetch whole sets of configurations

Access can be controlled using Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
It is a stored configuration store so it can be accessed by multiple applications

Azure State Configuration

Desired State Configuration (DSC) allows to manage the State of Virtual Machines
DSC can be configured for our VM from our Automation Account
On Linux state configuration can be managed using Python Scripts as well

Steps to onboard VM to Azure State Management

  • Import Configuration
  • Compile Configuration (Under the hood DSC uses MOF files and WMI)
  • Onboard VM into Azure Automation State Management
  • Assign Node Configuration (Compiled configuration) to VM
  • Check node status

ApplyOnly: Apply the configuration when the VM is created
ApplyAndMonitor: Apply the configuration and monitor it for changes
ApplyAndAutoCorrect: Monitors the configuration and corrects the configuration if the values are changed

Azure Automation State Configuration | Microsoft Learn

Custom Scripts Extension allows to download PowerShell Script onto a VM and execute it