15.2. Azure Preview Features

Exploring new technological advancements and staying ahead in the competitive cloud computing landscape often involves testing and adopting the latest features offered by cloud platforms. Microsoft Azure, as a prominent player in this space, regularly introduces new functionalities and services through its Azure Preview Features. These previews allow developers, IT professionals, and organizations to test, learn, and provide feedback on the upcoming features before they become generally available (GA).

The Nature of Azure Preview Features

Azure Preview Features refer to new services or features that are not yet GA and are in their testing phase. These features are provided by Microsoft for the users to experiment with and provide input, which Microsoft may use to make adjustments and improvements. It is important to note that these features are typically not recommended for production workloads as they might be subject to changes, limited support, and may have certain limitations in terms of functionality and availability.

Types of Azure Previews

Azure Preview Features come in two main flavors:

• Public Preview: These features are available to all Azure customers and provide an opportunity for a broader audience to test and give feedback. Public previews might come with certain usage quotas and limitations, but they are generally more stable than private previews.
• Private Preview: These features are only available to a limited number of participants, typically on an invite-only basis. They are often in the early stages of development and might require a more extensive commitment from participants to provide detailed feedback and engage in a more iterative testing process.

The Importance of Azure Preview Features

● Early Adoption: By engaging with preview features, organizations and developers can adopt and integrate new technologies early, gaining a competitive advantage.
● Feedback Loop: Preview periods serve as a critical feedback loop for Microsoft to polish and refine features based on real-world usage and feedback.
● Education and Training: They allow developers to learn and train on future technologies, ensuring that skills remain current.
● Planning: Organizations can plan their future infrastructure needs by understanding what capabilities Azure will offer down the line.

Engaging with Azure Preview Features

Discovering Previews

Azure provides various channels through which customers can discover upcoming preview features:

● Azure Preview Page: A dedicated page on the Azure website lists all the features currently in preview.
● Azure Updates: A broader update page that includes upcoming features, now in preview, as well as other updates and announcements.
● Azure Portal: Some previews are announced and can be accessed directly within the Azure Portal.
● Azure Blog and Azure Podcast: Insights into significant previews are often shared through the Azure blog and podcast.

Participating in Previews

To participate in an Azure preview, one would typically follow these steps:

• Sign Up: For public previews, you might need to sign up or enable the feature from the Azure portal. For private previews, an invitation from Microsoft is required.
• Read Documentation: Review the preview documentation thoroughly for any known issues, limitations, and usage guidelines.
• Testing: Implement the preview feature within a testing or staging environment to assess its functionality and performance.
• Feedback: Provide feedback through the channels provided by Microsoft, such as user forums, direct support requests, or specific preview feedback tools.