Microsoft Teams Management via Azure Cloud Shell is here!

When managing Microsoft Teams Environment, using a local PowerShell instance, there are various factors that can contribute to connection failure- which can be frustrating.

Here are some examples:

• Outdated windows PowerShell version

• Unavailable or Outdated Microsoft Teams PowerShell module

• Windows execution policy restriction

• Endpoint security configuration/policy blocking PowerShell execution 

• Lack of admin rights on endpoints 

In an effort to mitigate these frustrations, Microsoft has enhanced cloud-based PowerShell, called Azure Cloud Shell (which is now embedded in the already familiar 'Microsoft Teams Admin Center'). Using this cloud-based method eliminates most of the connectivity issues that admins encounter when using a local PowerShell. 

What is Azure Cloud Shell?

Azure Cloud Shell is an interactive, authenticated, browser-accessible shell for managing Azure resources. It provides the flexibility of choosing the shell experience that best suits the way you work, either Bash or PowerShell.

Cloud Shell is managed by Microsoft so it comes with popular command-line tools and language support. Cloud Shell also securely authenticates automatically for instant access to your resource.

How to Connect:

To Manage Microsoft Teams Environment via Azure Cloud Shell:

1. Login to Microsoft Teams Admin center - https://admin.teams.microsoft.com/

2. Once logged in, click on the 'Cloud Shell' icon top right corner

    

  
3. Select PowerShell when prompted

Note: On first launch, Cloud Shell prompts admin to create a resource group, storage account, and Azure Files share. This is a one-time step and will be automatically attached for all sessions. A single file share can be mapped and will be used by both Bash and PowerShell in Cloud Shell.

4. Azure Cloud shell is connected

5. Connect to Microsoft Teams PowerShell Module 

Conclusion:

• Azure subscription Required

• Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V does not work, have to right click and select copy or paste.

• Inactive Cloud Shell times out after 20 minutes

• 5GB usable image is created in the file share defined  

        • You have an option to mount another file share instance to the cloud shell 

    

Have you tried Azure cloud shell for Microsoft Teams yet? 

Please leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

Thank You!

#powershell #microsoftteams #cloudshell

More information:

Overview of Azure Cloud Shell

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-shell/overview 

Features & tools for Azure Cloud Shell

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-shell/features

Persist files in Azure Cloud Shell

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-shell/persisting-shell-storage

Microsoft Teams PowerShell Release Notes

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-powershell-release-notes