Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Arnav Sharma
For many IT professionals and developers working with Azure, the ability to efficiently switch between different subscriptions is crucial for managing resources and controlling costs. Whether you’re a seasoned Azure veteran or new to the platform, this post is designed to guide you through the process of changing Azure subscriptions using two powerful tools: PowerShell and the Azure Command Line Interface (CLI). We’ll explore step-by-step instructions, best practices, and useful tips to make your subscription management seamless and effective.
Changing Subscription in PowerShell
To change your Azure subscription using PowerShell, you can use the Set-AzContext cmdlet. This cmdlet changes the active subscription for your current Azure session. Before changing your subscription, you can list all your Azure subscriptions with the Get-AzSubscription cmdlet.
To list all the subscriptions available to you:
# Lists all subscriptions
Get-AzSubscriptionTo change the active subscription in your session:
# Change the active subscription by name
Set-AzContext -Subscription "My Azure Subscription"# Change the active subscription by subscription ID
Set-AzContext -Subscription "11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"Remember to replace "My Azure Subscription" with the actual name of your subscription or "11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111" with the actual subscription ID. After executing the Set-AzContext cmdlet with the correct parameters, your Azure PowerShell session will target the specified subscription.
Changing Subscription in CLI
In Azure CLI, you can change the active subscription using the az account set command, specifying either the subscription name or ID. Here are examples of how to do this:
To change the active subscription using the subscription name:
az account set --subscription "My Demos"To change the active subscription using the subscription ID:
az account set --subscription "xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"If you have the subscription name stored in a variable, you can also set the subscription like this:
subscriptionId="$(az account list --query "[?name=='my case sensitive subscription full name'].id" --output tsv)"
az account set --subscription $subscriptionIdReplace "My Demos" with your actual subscription name and "xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" with your actual subscription ID
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How can I add or change the administrators for my Azure subscription?
You can change Azure subscription administrators by accessing the Azure portal. This process allows you to manage the roles and permissions for your subscription. To do this, you’ll need to navigate to the subscription settings and select the option to change the administrators. Here, you can add new administrators or modify the roles of existing ones. This is essential for maintaining the security and management of your Azure services.
Q: What steps are involved in transferring billing ownership of an Azure subscription?
To transfer billing ownership of an Azure subscription, you need to follow a specific process that involves several steps. First, determine the account billing administrator and then initiate a transfer request. The person receiving the transfer request will have access to manage the resources once they accept the transfer. This process is crucial for ensuring that the right entity or individual is billed for the Azure services used.
Q: Can I switch my Azure subscription to a different Microsoft Entra Directory?
Yes, you can switch your Azure subscription to a different Microsoft Entra Directory. This process involves changing the tenant ID associated with your subscription. You can use the Azure portal or Azure CLI to select the subscription you wish to change and then associate it with the new tenant. This is particularly useful when you need to manage resources across different directories or for organizational restructuring.
Q: How do I manage access and role assignments using Azure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)?
To manage access and role assignments using Azure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), you need to use the Azure portal or Azure CLI. Start by selecting the subscription or resource group where you want to assign roles. Then, use Azure role assignments to grant the necessary permissions to users or groups. This feature helps in defining who can do what within your Azure environment, enhancing security and operational efficiency.
Q: What are the necessary steps to transfer an Azure subscription to another account?
Transferring an Azure subscription to another account involves several steps. First, check the subscription details using the Azure portal or the ‘az account show’ command to ensure it’s eligible for transfer. Then, initiate a subscription transfer request from your account to the target account. The user in the new account will need to accept the transfer to gain access to the subscription and manage its resources.
Q: How do I use Azure CLI to manage my Azure subscription?
To use Azure CLI for managing your Azure subscription, first install the CLI tool on your system. Then, you can execute various commands to manage different aspects of your subscription. For instance, you can use ‘az account show’ to view your current subscription details or ‘az role assignment list’ to check role assignments. Azure CLI is a powerful tool for scripting and automating Azure resource management tasks.
Q: What is Microsoft Cost Management, and how can it help in managing Azure resources?
Microsoft Cost Management is a service provided by Azure that helps you monitor, allocate, and optimize your Azure costs. By using this service, you can gain insights into your spending patterns, set budgets, and analyze your costs over time. It’s an essential tool for effectively managing the financial aspect of your Azure resources and ensuring you stay within your budget while making the most of Azure services.
Q: How can I create a new resource group or subscription in Azure?
To create a new resource group or subscription in Azure, you can use the Azure portal or Azure CLI. In the portal, navigate to the resource groups section and select ‘Create’, then specify the details for your new resource group. For a new subscription, you might need to check with your organization’s policies or use a pay-as-you-go plan if you’re an individual user. This allows you to organize your resources better and manage them more effectively according to your project or organizational structure.
Q: What are the next steps after getting a Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription in Azure?
After obtaining a Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription in Azure, the next steps include setting up your Azure environment. This involves creating resource groups, setting up Azure services like Azure SQL or Azure Plan, and assigning Azure roles using role-based access control. You should also familiarize yourself with Azure support and available resources to maximize the benefits of your subscription, including technical support and security updates.
Q: How can I see and manage my Azure subscription and its resources?
To see and manage your Azure subscription and its resources, you can use the Azure portal or Azure CLI. With the Azure portal, you can view all your subscriptions, select the subscription you want to manage, and access various resources within it. You can also use Azure CLI commands like ‘az account show’ to view details of your current subscription and perform various management tasks. This helps you keep track of your resources and their usage.
Q: What is the process to transfer a Microsoft Azure subscription to a different pay-as-you-go plan?
To transfer a Microsoft Azure subscription to a different pay-as-go plan, you need to check the subscription’s eligibility for transfer under Azure’s policies. This can be done through the Azure portal, where you can see the current plan and options for changing it. Once you confirm the eligibility, you can initiate the transfer to the new pay-as-you-go plan, ensuring that the subscription is billed according to the new plan going forward.
Q: How do I assign roles and manage role-based access in Azure?
To assign roles and manage role-based access in Azure, use the Azure portal or Azure CLI. You can navigate to the ‘Role assignments’ section within the Azure portal, where you can assign Azure roles to different users or groups based on your requirements. This ensures that only authorized personnel have access to specific resources in the subscription, aligning with Azure’s role-based access control (RBAC) policies.
Q: What should I do if I need to change my Azure subscription to another offer?
If you need to change your Azure subscription to another offer, start by reviewing the offers available and determining which one suits your needs. You can see the available offers in the Azure portal under the subscription details. Once you decide on the new offer, follow the process for changing the subscription, which might involve contacting Azure support if the change is not straightforward. This helps in aligning your subscription with your evolving business or personal requirements.
Q: How can I view and manage my Azure subscription’s role assignments and access control?
To view and manage your Azure subscription’s role assignments and access control, use the Azure portal. Navigate to the ‘Role assignments’ section to see and manage Azure role-based access control (RBAC). This feature allows you to assign specific roles to users or groups, defining their permissions within your Azure environment. You can also use Azure CLI to manage role assignments for more advanced or automated tasks.
Q: What steps should I take to prepare for a new Azure subscription?
When preparing for a new Azure subscription, start by understanding the different types of subscriptions available, like classic subscription or pay-as-you-go. You should also determine your resource needs, such as whether you need a new resource group or if you’re planning to use specific Azure services like Azure SQL. Then, use the Azure portal or Azure CLI to set up your subscription and configure it according to your needs.
Q: How do I transfer a subscription within Microsoft Azure?
To transfer a subscription within Microsoft Azure, first, you need to determine the type of transfer you need, such as transferring billing ownership or transferring a subscription to a different Microsoft customer agreement. Then, initiate the transfer request through the Azure portal. The recipient of the transfer request will need to accept it to have access to manage the resources under the new agreement or billing account.
Q: What should I know about managing Azure subscriptions as part of a Microsoft Customer Agreement?
When managing Azure subscriptions as part of a Microsoft Customer Agreement, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions of the agreement. You should also familiarize yourself with how your subscription is billed under this agreement. Use the Azure portal for managing your subscriptions, accessing billing information, and checking frequently asked questions related to your agreement and subscription. This knowledge is essential for ensuring compliance and effective management of your Azure resources.
Q: How can a tenant add an Azure subscription to their Microsoft Entra Tenant?
To add an Azure subscription to your Microsoft Entra tenant, you can associate the subscription with your account. This involves using Azure Resource Manager to manage and change the azure subscription or account. You can see the details of your current subscription and add or change it to another subscription as needed.
Q: What is the process to determine account billing administrator in Azure?
To determine the account billing administrator for your Azure account, you can use the az account show command. This will display the relevant details of your subscription, allowing you to see billing information and manage your Azure credit.
Q: Where can one find additional resources for managing Azure subscriptions?
For additional resources on managing Azure subscriptions, Microsoft Learn offers comprehensive guides and answers to frequently asked questions. This includes information on various resource types, subscription management, and using Azure RBAC for assigning roles in Azure.
Q: What are the steps to transfer an Azure subscription to a new administrator?
To transfer an Azure subscription to a new administrator, you first need to see the manage Azure section in your Azure portal. From there, you can change the azure subscription or account ownership, which involves transferring the subscription to the target administrator. This process is crucial for ensuring continued access to a Microsoft customer’s resources.
keywords: see azure associate or add an azure use the following add or change azure subscription see transfer change azure subscription or account use this command subscription is shown see manage see manage azure see azure subscription determine account billing administrator access to a microsoft customer