How to Use the Command 'az advisor' (with Examples)

The ‘az advisor’ command is a versatile tool in the Azure CLI suite, designed to help manage Azure subscription information effectively. Azure Advisor is a powerful service that provides recommendations on high availability, security, performance, and cost of your Azure resources. Leveraging this command, users can retrieve advisory recommendations, configure these advisories, and overall, ensure their Azure environment is optimized according to the best practices advised by Azure’s intelligent system. This utility can significantly enhance the management of Azure resources by providing actionable insights and suggestions.

Use case 1: List Azure Advisor Configuration for the Entire Subscription

Code:

az advisor configuration list

Motivation:

Listing the Azure Advisor configuration for your entire subscription is crucial to understand the existing settings and recommendations that have been applied. This visibility allows administrators and stakeholders to assess current configurations and identify areas where improvements or acknowledgments of recommendations are necessary, according to the business and technical needs. It’s akin to having a bird’s eye view of all advisory configurations, making it easier to spot inconsistencies or compliance issues.

Explanation:

• az advisor: This invokes the Azure CLI’s advisor set of commands.
• configuration: This specifies that the action pertains to advisory configurations within the subscription.
• list: This action outputs a list of the configurations applicable to the entire Azure subscription. Usually, configurations include advisor settings, and rules applied to the subscription.

Example Output:

[
  {
    "configurationRules": [
      {
        "ruleName": "Security Configuration Rule",
        "enabled": true
      },
      {
        "ruleName": "Cost Optimization Rule",
        "enabled": false
      }
    ],
    "subscriptionId": "xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"
  }
]

Use case 2: Show Azure Advisor Configuration for a Given Subscription or Resource Group

Code:

az advisor configuration show --resource_group myResourceGroup

Motivation:

This command is intended for scenarios where specificity is necessary; for instance, when administrators need to check the advisor configuration details for a particular resource group. This is vital for tailoring settings or recommendations exactly to the needs of distinct resource groups, ensuring that the broader Azure subscription’s recommendations align with the resource group’s resource deployment.

Explanation:

• az advisor: Calls the advisor feature in the Azure CLI.
• configuration: Targets the advisor configuration for querying.
• show: Indicates a request to display current configuration details.
• --resource_group: Specifies that the target for the configuration query is a particular resource group rather than the entire subscription.
• myResourceGroup: Placeholder for your specific resource group name within your subscription.

Example Output:

{
  "configurationRules": [
    {
      "ruleName": "High Availability Rule",
      "enabled": true
    }
  ],
  "resourceGroup": "myResourceGroup"
}

Use case 3: List Azure Advisor Recommendations

Code:

az advisor recommendation list

Motivation:

This scenario helps to collect current recommendations from Azure Advisor’s comprehensive evaluation of your resources. It provides actionable insights which enable users to enhance their resource’s efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain or improve system reliability and security. This step is often the starting point for any optimization process by applying Azure’s best practice guide.

Explanation:

• az advisor: Initiates access to Azure’s advisory functionalities.
• recommendation: Specifies that the operation should focus on advisory recommendations rather than configurations.
• list: Retrieves a catalog of all available advice and suggestions applicable to the Azure resources under user’s control.

Example Output:

[
  {
    "recommendationId": "xxxxxx",
    "category": "Cost",
    "impactedValue": "60 US Dollars/month",
    "impactLevel": "High",
    "recommendationType": "Reserved Instances",
    "shortDescription": "To optimize your costs..."
  },
  ...
]

Use case 4: Enable Azure Advisor Recommendations

Code:

az advisor recommendation enable --resource_group myResourceGroup

Motivation:

The need to enable advisor recommendations stems from the administrator’s goal to make sure each relevant recommendation is activated, thereby granting Azure Advisor authority to continuously monitor and suggest improvements. Activating recommendations at a resource group level provides granularity, ensuring specific teams or departments receive suggestions directly correlate with their resource deployments and usage patterns.

Explanation:

• az advisor: Employs the advisory aspect of the CLI.
• recommendation: Focuses the command on working with advisory recommendations.
• enable: Switches on the functionality for receiving actionable recommendations.
• --resource_group: Directs the command to apply to a specific resource group.
• myResourceGroup: The targeted resource group where recommendations will be activated.

Example Output:

"status": "Recommendations enabled for resource group myResourceGroup"

Use case 5: Disable Azure Advisor Recommendations

Code:

az advisor recommendation disable --resource_group myResourceGroup

Motivation:

There are instances where Azure recommendations may not be desirable for specific resource groups, perhaps due to particular compliance requirements or targeted business strategies. Disabling allows you to selectively stop receiving advisories, preventing potential misalignment between Azure’s generic suggestions and your strategic objectives.

Explanation:

• az advisor: Calls upon the advisory capabilities within Azure CLI.
• recommendation: Points towards interactions with advisory recommendations.
• disable: Suggests turning off the feeding of suggestions for optimization.
• --resource_group: Limits the command’s scope to a particular division within the subscription hierarchy.
• myResourceGroup: Identification of the resource group for which the disabsorption will occur.

Example Output:

"status": "Recommendations disabled for resource group myResourceGroup"

Conclusion:

The ‘az advisor’ command in Azure CLI provides powerful capabilities for managing and harnessing Azure Advisor’s recommendations. With nuanced use cases such as viewing configurations, enabling/disabling suggestions, and obtaining a comprehensive list of recommendations tailored to a subscription or resource group, administrators are equipped to optimize and streamline Azure resource management effectively. Proper use of the ‘az advisor’ enhances operational efficiencies, balances costs, and ensures adherence to best practices across cloud deployments.