How To Use Azure Blockchain Service
                     Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 1
How to Use Azure Blockchain Service
The market for cloud services is currently growing at a rapid pace. All modern 
technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things 
(IoT), big data analytics, and web and mobile app hosting require heavy 
computing power.
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 2
What Is Azure Blockchain Service?
Azure is a cloud computing platform that has been developed by Microsoft for 
creating, testing, deploying, and managing applications. It is a fully managed 
ledger service that helps users grow and operate blockchain networks at scale in 
Azure. It has the ability to support multiple ledger protocols. It offers unified control 
for blockchain network governance and infrastructure management. It offers the 
following:
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 3
● Built-in consortium management.
● Easy network deployment and operations.
● The ability to build smart contracts using familiar development tools.
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 4
Azure - Network Deployment and Operations
Azure Blockchain Service is developed through the Azure CLI, Visual Studio 
Code, or the Azure portal with the assistance of the Azure Blockchain extension. 
Network deployment is made simple in the Azure Blockchain Service and it 
including provisioning both the validator and transaction nodes and Azure Virtual 
Networks for service-managed storage and security isolation.
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 5
 When a new member is deployed, users join or create a consortium. Consortiums 
allow multiple parties in several Azure subscriptions to be able to communicate 
securely with each other on a shared blockchain. This simplifies blockchain 
network deployment to a great extent and reduces the time from days to minutes.
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 6
Performance and Service Tiers
The two service tiers offered in Azure Blockchain Service are basic and standard. 
Each tier offers several capabilities and performance to support lightweight 
development and also allows the testing of workloads to massively scaled 
production blockchain deployments. Both these tiers include two validator nodes 
(standard), one validator node (basic), and one transaction node.
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 7
Maintenance And Security
Once you provision your first blockchain member, you will be able to add 
additional transaction nodes to your member. Transaction nodes need 
configuration for access and are safeguarded through firewall rules. Apart from 
firewall rules, the other options that can be used for securing transaction node 
access are access keys, basic authentication, and Azure Active Directory 
integration.
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 8
Built - in Consortium Management
As mentioned earlier, at the time of deploying the first blockchain member, you will 
either join or create a consortium. A consortium can be understood as a logical 
group that manages the connectivity and governance between blockchain 
members who transact in a multi-party process. 
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 9
    Azure offers governance controls through pre-defined smart contracts that 
determine the actions members present in the consortium are allowed to take. The 
administrator can customize the governance controls as and when needed. You 
must have an invite to join a consortium. Consortium management actions like 
removing and adding members from a consortium can be accessed through a 
REST API and Power Shell.
Cop y r ig ht © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 10
 Conclusion
I hope you have now gained a fair idea about the Azure Blockchain Service. To 
get instant updates about blockchain certifications and to become a blockchain 
expert, check out Blockchain Council.
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 11
Blockchain Council Certifications
You can check out our certifications, and kick start your career in the Blockchain 
space today.
● Certified Blockchain Expert
● Certified Blockchain Developer
● Certified Smart Contract Developer
● Certified Solidity Developer
● Certified Ethereum Developer
Copyright © Blockchain Council  www.blockchain-council.org 12
THANK YOU!
Any questions?
You can mail us at
[email protected]
Copyright © Blockchain Council   www.blockchain-council.org 13