AZ-400 Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions Exam

Configure GitHub–Azure Boards Linkages

Configuring connections between GitHub and Azure Boards allows for tracking work seamlessly across both platforms. This integration involves assessing connector capabilities, configuring service connections, and validating automated synchronization of work items and code artifacts.

Setting Up Service Connections

To establish connections, it is important to use OAuth or personal access tokens (PATs). You can create a linked service in Azure Data Factory or Synapse Analytics by navigating to the Manage tab, selecting Linked Services, and clicking New. Then, search for GitHub, configure service details, and test the connection.

Key steps include:

• Creating a linked service to GitHub:
  • Browse to Linked Services in Azure.
  • Search for GitHub and select the connector.
  • Configure service details and test the connection.
• Searching and selecting: Look for GitHub in the connector options.
• Configuring and testing: Input necessary details and validate the service connection.

Synchronization of GitHub and Azure Boards

Synchronizing GitHub repositories with Azure Data Factory's Workflow Orchestration Manager can be done using UI or REST API. Prerequisites include having an Azure subscription and access to a GitHub repository.

Steps using UI:

• Enable git sync during creation of integration runtime.
• Select GitHub as the service type.
• Choose credential type like personal access token or service principal name (SPN).

Steps using REST API:

• Configure REST API endpoints and parameters: Setup appropriate URLs and request bodies for managing synchronization.

Automated Updates and Traceability

Automating updates, such as status changes, tags, and links between GitHub and Azure Boards is crucial for effective tracking:

• Map GitHub elements: Issues, pull requests, and commits should be mapped to Azure Boards work items.
• Verify updates: Ensure automated synchronization reflects in updated statuses, tags, and links across platforms.

Best Practices for Security and Management

Security best practices recommend storing any sensitive information like connection strings or passwords in Azure Key Vault rather than Git repositories. This ensures secure management of credentials and supports continuous integration without manual secret provision.

Security measures include:

• Use GitHub personal access tokens for authentication.
• For increased security and easy management, consider Microsoft Entra ID integration for login.

Conclusion

To effectively track and manage work across GitHub projects and Azure Boards, establishing robust service connections via OAuth or PATs, synchronizing repositories through UI or REST API, and ensuring automated updates are key. Adhering to security best practices like using Azure Key Vault enhances safe management of credentials.