Working with Service Connections in Azure DevOps

Introduction

Inside Azure DevOps, service connections are pivotal for facilitating integration with exterior companies and programs. Their major function is to determine safe connections and authenticate Azure DevOps Providers with varied platforms, companies, or repositories. Service connections streamline the configuration and administration of connections, guaranteeing the safe storage of delicate info like credentials or tokens. Service connections in Azure DevOps serve varied use instances throughout several types of integrations. We are going to focus on just a few use instances adopted by a small demo.

Use Instances

1. Deployment of Azure Assets: Azure service connections are used for the deployment of assets to the Azure platform. This facilitates a easy integration between Azure DevOps and Azure companies, enabling the automated deployment of each functions and infrastructure.
2. Integration with GitHub: Leveraging GitHub service connections permits seamless integration with GitHub repositories. This proves advantageous in conditions similar to initiating builds upon code commits, automating launch processes, or integrating pull requests into the general construct workflow.
3. Energy Platform ALM: We are able to obtain CI/CD of Energy Platform options utilizing Azure Pipelines. We are able to export/import options, and knowledge and carry out pre/submit deployment steps. To carry out all these actions we’d like a safe connection which is supplied by Energy Platform Service Connection.

There are a number of different use instances as nicely. Now let’s focus on a small demo about tips on how to arrange a Energy Platform service connection.

Steps to Set Energy Platform Service Connection

Step 1. Log in to your Azure DevOps group: https://dev.azure.com/{OrganizationName}/ -> Click on on Group Settings.

Step 2. Underneath Common Part -> Click on on Extensions. Confirm beneath the put in tab if the ‘Energy Platform Construct Instruments’ Extension is seen. If not click on on Browse Market as proven beneath.

Step 3. In Market seek for ‘Energy Platform Construct Instruments’ and click on on the highlighted possibility proven beneath.

Step 4. A brand new pop-up will open, click on on Get it free as proven beneath.

Step 5. A brand new pop-up will seem, click on on set up. The extension shall be now out there in your group.

Step 6. Now navigate to open your Mission. Underneath Mission Settings -> Click on on Service Connections -> Create Service Connection

Step 7. A brand new pop-up will seem on the right-hand facet. Seek for ‘Energy Platform’. Choose the ‘Energy Platform’ service connection and click on Subsequent.

Step 8. Now configure the service connection. Please contemplate the next conditions: Dynamics CE Setting, Software Registration carried out with Dynamics CE API permissions, and Software person must be added with System Admin/Customizer safety function within the respective atmosphere.

• In Server URL: Dynamics CE atmosphere URL
• TenantID: TenantID/ DirectoryID of Software Consumer
• ApplicationID: ApplicationID/ClientID of Software Consumer
• Consumer secret of Software ID: Consumer Secret of Software Consumer
• Service Connection Identify: Identify of the atmosphere which is to be linked.
• Safety: Examine the field to provide entry to all pipelines. (Will rely on CICD technique adopted within the particular venture)

Click on on Save as proven beneath.

Step 9. As soon as the service connection is created, we will make the most of the identical in our pipelines. Now go to pipelines and create a brand new starter YAML pipeline. On this pipeline, we’ll use two duties. ‘Energy Platform Device Installer’ to put in all dependencies associated to Energy Platform and ‘Energy Platform WHO AM I’ to ping the CE atmosphere as proven beneath.

Use the beneath code snippet: Right here we’ve got configured the ‘WHOAMI’ process to make use of Authentication Kind: Service Principal and Service Connection created in Step 8.

set off:
- principal

pool:
  vmImage: windows-latest

steps:
- process: PowerPlatformToolInstaller@2
  inputs:
    DefaultVersion: true
- process: PowerPlatformWhoAmi@2
  inputs:
    authenticationType: 'PowerPlatformSPN'
    PowerPlatformSPN: 'DEV'

Step 10. Click on on Save and Run. Under are run logs screenshots the place we will see a profitable connection was established with the CE atmosphere.

Conclusion

On this article, we mentioned how we will work with Service Connections in Azure DevOps. This function has varied use instances and we illustrated the identical utilizing a demo. From safe deployment of Azure assets to Energy Platform ALM deployment there are quite a few service connections that may be utilized. We additionally mentioned the setup of a Energy Platform service connection and the way a connection might be established utilizing Azure pipelines.

Please be at liberty to achieve out in case of any issues or queries.