Chapter 2. Creating the Azure Resource

Go to https://portal.azure.com and sign in using your Microsoft credential for the Microsoft Commercial Marketplace.

Click Create a resource

Enter Skkynet in the search bar.

Choose Cogent DataHub.

Review the information in Overview and Plans to ensure you understand the features and benefits of the service. For a comprehensive explanation of pricing, see Pricing Information on the Skkynet; website. When you are ready, click Create to register.

Now you need to configure the deployment options for a new Azure Managed Application instance.

1. Basics  for this deployment.

   

   Subscription and Resource Group

   Select the Subscription, and select or create the Resource Group that will contain this resource.

   

   Region

   Choose a deployment region appropriate for your business location and source data, primarily to minimize latency.

   Application Resource Name

   Choose a name for this application. This string will be used as a prefix to name some of the resources, including the public DNS name. We suggest using a word that represents your organization or project, and avoiding generic terms like MyApp or DataHub.

   VM Size

   The default size should be adequate for most solutions. If you are configuring a large-scale deployment, you may wish to select a higher-end option.

   

   Managed Resource Group

   You can accept the default name.

2. Contact Information  Your contact information will be kept private, in accordance with Skkynet's privacy policy.

   

   First name and Last name

   Required, used for communications with Skkynet.

   

   Email address

   Required, used for communications with Skkynet. When deployment is complete, a welcome email will be sent to this address containing information you need to access your service.

   Phone, Company name, and Company address

   These are optional. Entering them will help Skkynet serve you better.

3. DataHub Credentials  for accessing this DataHub service. These credentials will be used for the administrator account for your DataHub service as well as for your SkkyHub Portal account.

   

   Admin user name

   A single alpha-numeric string with no spaces. The string Admin is not permitted.

   Password

   Must start with a letter and be at least 12 alpha-numeric characters including at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number.

   	Your password cannot be retrieved by Skkynet. You must remember it.

4. Codes  gives you the option to enter an affiliate code, coupon code, or install branch, if desired. Typically these are provided by Skkynet.

5. Tags  gives you the option to label resources, if desired.

6. Review + create  lets you look over the terms of the agreement and your entries. When you are sure everything is correct, check the I agree ... box.

   

   Review your entries one final time, and if all is correct, click the Create button at the bottom.

   

   You will see a Deployment is in progress message. At this point, Microsoft begins deploying the VM infrastructure resources needed for your Azure Managed Application. Resources include the VM, disk, virtual network, network interface, network security group, and others.

When deployment completes, you can click the Go to resource button to access your managed application, and you should see a welcome message.

After this message is displayed, Skkynet begins provisioning software for the Cogent DataHub service. This includes configuring the DataHub instance to run as a Windows service, generating a certificate to support SSL communication, ensuring the Windows firewall is correctly configured, authenticating the DataHub instance with back-end Azure services, and registering your Managed Application with the SkkyHub Portal. Typically the service is fully deployed and running in less than 30 minutes.

	Once complete, you will receive an email with important information, including your Launch Page and links to help you get started. Keep this information handy. You will need it to access your DataHub service.