Manage Azure Resource Tags with `az tag` Command (with examples)

Manage Azure Resource Tags with `az tag` Command (with examples)

The az tag command is a part of the Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI) that allows users to manage tags on Azure resources. Tags are metadata used to organize and classify resources within Azure subscriptions. They can be employed for cost management, automation, and resource governance, providing better insights and control over the Azure environment. The az tag command offers several functionalities such as creating, listing, and deleting tags in a subscription.

Use case 1: Create a tag value

Code:

az tag add-value --name tag_name --value tag_value

Motivation:

Creating a tag value is vital for adding new metadata to resources, which helps in organizing and managing them efficiently. For example, if you have resources that belong to different departments, you might want to create a tag value that indicates the department name, such as “Finance” or “HR”.

Explanation:

  • az tag add-value: This part of the command initiates the creation or addition of a value to an existing tag within the Azure environment.
  • --name tag_name: Specifies the name of the tag to which you want to add a value. Replace tag_name with the actual name of the tag.
  • --value tag_value: Defines the specific value you want to associate with the tag. Replace tag_value with the desired tag value.

Example Output:

A successful execution of this command will result in the tag value being added to the specified tag. There might not be a visually descriptive output, but the tag database will reflect the change.

Use case 2: Create a tag in the subscription

Code:

az tag create --name tag_name

Motivation:

Creating a tag in the subscription is the foundational step in tag management. Before you can add values to a tag, the tag itself must exist. This is especially useful when setting up a new organizational structure for resource management.

Explanation:

  • az tag create: This signifies the command’s action to create a new tag within the subscription.
  • --name tag_name: This parameter is used to specify the name of the tag you wish to create. Replace tag_name with the desired tag’s name, ensuring that it is descriptive enough to indicate its purpose or use case.

Example Output:

Upon successful creation, the system will acknowledge the new tag creation but may not display a detailed output message. The newly created tag will now be available for use across the subscription.

Use case 3: Delete a tag from the subscription

Code:

az tag delete --name tag_name

Motivation:

Deleting a tag from a subscription is necessary when a tag is no longer relevant or if you need to clean up unused or redundant tags. This helps maintain an organized resource management approach and prevents confusion.

Explanation:

  • az tag delete: Commands Azure to remove an entire tag from the subscription.
  • --name tag_name: Here, you specify the name of the tag you want to delete. You should replace tag_name with the name of the tag that should be removed from the system.

Example Output:

When a tag is successfully deleted, Azure will remove it from the subscription. The effect is internal, and users may not receive an elaborate confirmation message.

Use case 4: List all tags on a subscription

Code:

az tag list --resource-id /subscriptions/subscription_id

Motivation:

Listing all tags on a subscription offers a comprehensive view of how tags are being used across your resources. It is particularly useful for audits, compliance checks, or when you need to assess and optimize your resource tagging strategy.

Explanation:

  • az tag list: Specifies the command to list all available tags within the given scope.
  • --resource-id /subscriptions/subscription_id: This argument indicates the subscription ID where the tags need to be listed. Replace subscription_id with your specific subscription’s ID to see all associated tags.

Example Output:

[
  {
    "tagName": "Environment",
    "tagValues": ["Production", "Staging", "Development"]
  },
  {
    "tagName": "Department",
    "tagValues": ["Finance", "HR", "IT"]
  }
]

This output provides a JSON list of tags and their associated values within the specified subscription.

Use case 5: Delete a tag value for a specific tag name

Code:

az tag remove-value --name tag_name --value tag_value

Motivation:

Removing a specific tag value is necessary when the value is outdated or incorrect. For instance, if a department merges with another and its old tag value is no longer valid, it can be removed to maintain accurate metadata.

Explanation:

  • az tag remove-value: This tells Azure to remove a specific value from a given tag.
  • --name tag_name: Specifies the tag name from which a value needs to be removed. Replace tag_name with the tag to modify.
  • --value tag_value: Indicates the specific tag value that should be removed. Substitute tag_value with the value you wish to delete from the tag.

Example Output:

Executing this command will remove the specified tag value. As it is an internal update, the system will make the change without extensive output.

Conclusion:

The az tag command line tool is a powerful resource management feature in Azure, enabling the administrative organization of resources through tags. With this detailed guide and examples, users can efficiently create, list, and manage tags, optimizing resource oversight and promoting systematic organization that benefits both management and operation teams.

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