Learn How to Build Smarter AI Agents with Microsoft’s MCP Resources Hub
If you've been curious about how to build your own AI agents that can talk to APIs, connect with tools like databases, or even follow documentation you're in the right place. Microsoft has created something called MCP, which stands for Model‑Context‑Protocol. And to help you learn it step by step, they’ve made an amazing MCP Resources Hub on GitHub. In this blog, I’ll Walk you through what MCP is, why it matters, and how to use this hub to get started, even if you're new to AI development. What is MCP (Model‑Context‑Protocol)? Think of MCP like a communication bridge between your AI model and the outside world. Normally, when we chat with AI (like ChatGPT), it only knows what’s in its training data. But with MCP, you can give your AI real-time context from: APIs Documents Databases Websites This makes your AI agent smarter and more useful just like a real developer who looks up things online, checks documentation, and queries databases. What’s Inside the MCP Resources Hub? The MCP Resources Hub is a collection of everything you need to learn MCP: Videos Blogs Code examples Here are some beginner-friendly videos that explain MCP: Title What You'll Learn VS Code Agent Mode Just Changed Everything See how VS Code and MCP build an app with AI connecting to a database and following docs. The Future of AI in VS Code Learn how MCP makes GitHub Copilot smarter with real-time tools. Build MCP Servers using Azure Functions Host your own MCP servers using Azure in C#, .NET, or TypeScript. Use APIs as Tools with MCP See how to use APIs as tools inside your AI agent. Blazor Chat App with MCP + Aspire Create a chat app powered by MCP in .NET Aspire Tip: Start with the VS Code videos if you’re just beginning. Blogs Deep Dives and How-To Guides Microsoft has also written blogs that explain MCP concepts in detail. Some of the best ones include: Build AI agent tools using remote MCP with Azure Functions: Learn how to deploy MCP servers remotely using Azure. Create an MCP Server with Azure AI Agent Service : Enables Developers to create an agent with Azure AI Agent Service and uses the model context protocol (MCP) for consumption of the agents in compatible clients (VS Code, Cursor, Claude Desktop). Vibe coding with GitHub Copilot: Agent mode and MCP support: MCP allows you to equip agent mode with the context and capabilities it needs to help you, like a USB port for intelligence. When you enter a chat prompt in agent mode within VS Code, the model can use different tools to handle tasks like understanding database schema or querying the web. Enhancing AI Integrations with MCP and Azure API Management Enhance AI integrations using MCP and Azure API Management Understanding and Mitigating Security Risks in MCP Implementations Overview of security risks and mitigation strategies for MCP implementations Protecting Against Indirect Injection Attacks in MCP Strategies to prevent indirect injection attacks in MCP implementations Microsoft Copilot Studio MCP Announcement of the Microsoft Copilot Studio MCP lab Getting started with MCP for Beginners 9 part course on MCP Client and Servers Code Repositories Try it Yourself Want to build something with MCP? Microsoft has shared open-source sample code in Python, .NET, and TypeScript: Repo Name Language Description Azure-Samples/remote-mcp-apim-functions-python Python Recommended for Secure remote hosting Sample Python Azure Functions demonstrating remote MCP integration with Azure API Management Azure-Samples/remote-mcp-functions-python Python Sample Python Azure Functions demonstrating remote MCP integration Azure-Samples/remote-mcp-functions-dotnet C# Sample .NET Azure Functions demonstrating remote MCP integration Azure-Samples/remote-mcp-functions-typescript TypeScript Sample TypeScript Azure Functions demonstrating remote MCP integration Microsoft Copilot Studio MCP TypeScript Microsoft Copilot Studio MCP lab You can clone the repo, open it in VS Code, and follow the instructions to run your own MCP server. Using MCP with the AI Toolkit in Visual Studio Code To make your MCP journey even easier, Microsoft provides the AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code. This toolkit includes: A built-in model catalog Tools to help you deploy and run models locally Seamless integration with MCP agent tools You can install the AI Toolkit extension from the Visual Studio Code Marketplace. Once installed, it helps you: Discover and select models quickly Connect those models to MCP agents Develop and test AI workflows locally before deploying to the cloud You can explore the full documentation here: Overview of the AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code – Microsoft Learn This is perfect for developers who want to test things on their own system without needing a cloud setup right away. Why Should You Care About MCP? Because MCP: Makes your AI tools more powerful by giving them real-time knowledge Works with GitHub Copilot, Azure, and VS Code tools you may already use Is open-source and beginner-friendly with lots of tutorials and sample code It’s the future of AI development connecting models to the real world. Final Thoughts If you're learning AI or building software agents, don’t miss this valuable MCP Resources Hub. It’s like a starter kit for building smart, connected agents with Microsoft tools. Try one video or repo today. Experiment. Learn by doing and start your journey with the MCP for Beginners curricula.
TLS 1.0 and 1.1 Support on Azure Web App
I know Azure is winding up support for TLS 1.0 and 1.1 by August 2025. Does anyone can help me to access our existing IoT devices to connect to Azure Web App using this TLS 1.0 and 1.1? Our device were connecting to azure server fine until Mid March 2025. At end of March 2025 we lost access to this IoT devices which uses TLS 1.0, 1.1. Any thoughts or any one have any idea why it stopped before the deadline of August 2025? And what can be done to get back this devices online? #IoTHub #WebApp #Azure #TLS #TLS1.0 #TLS1.1 #SNIDocument Acknowledgement and Attestation with Microsoft’s PowerPlatform - Step by Step
Leveraging Microsoft’s PowerPlatform and Office 365 we can securely store policy related documents, use Flow to automate document acknowledgement and attestation, use PowerApps to provide a mobile friendly app to review and accept policy documents, and finally we can build beautiful dashboards to visualize that status of a given document acceptance process.Unlocking the Power of Azure: Mastering Resource Management in Kubernetes
Hi, I’m Pranjal Mishra, a Student Ambassador from Galgotias University specializing in AI & ML. Passionate about cloud computing and DevOps, I often explore how platforms like Azure streamline infrastructure challenges, especially with Kubernetes. In this article, we explore resource management in Kubernetes using Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)—focusing on setting resource limits and quotas to optimize cost, performance, and stability. We walk through creating namespaces, setting default CPU/memory requests and limits, and applying resource quotas. By using tools like Azure Monitor, Azure Policy, and Virtual Nodes, teams can ensure their containerized applications are efficient, resilient, and cost-effective. Whether you're new to AKS or looking to refine your DevOps practices, this guide offers practical steps and real-world context to get you started.Mondays at Microsoft | Episode 46
NOW ON DEMAND Get ready for the week with "Mondays at Microsoft." Karuana Gatimu and Heather Cook will update you on what's going on, across BIG news, product releases, Community and event news, and more. Aired LIVE | Monday, April 7th, 2025. ☕ Show notes and links to all that was shared and discussed during this episode: Microsoft celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Friday April 4th. To celebrate that community, we invite you to join us tomorrow, April 8th, on the Microsoft Tech Community tomorrow as we look back and celebrate five decades of innovation, community, and collaboration: https://aka.ms/Community/NewsDesk AI Skills Fest: https://aka.ms/AISkillsFest. Microsoft 365 Community Conference: Register now, save $150 with code SAVE150 🎟️ https://aka.ms/M365Con25 (Vegas | May 6-8, 2025) Karuana Gatimu on the Top 100 list of Customer Marketing and Advocacy Influencers & Strategists. Check out the whole list: https://aka.ms/Top100CMAs. Share your Community story: https://aka.ms/ShareYourCommunityStory. Book release 📗 "The Women of Microsoft: Empowering Stories from the Minds that Coded the World": https://aka.ms/WomenOfMicrosoft. Microsoft Secure, April 9-10, 2025: https://aka.ms/MicrosoftSecureRegistration. "How universities are tapping students and AI to fight the growing threat of cybercrime" by Deborah Bach: https://aka.ms/FightingCybercrime. AI Agents Hackathon 2025, April 8-30, 2025: https://aka.ms/AIAgentsHackathon. How AI is impacting healthcare and what it means for the future of medicine — https://aka.ms/AIRevolutionMedicine. Threat actors leverage tax season to deploy tax-themed phishing campaigns: https://aka.ms/TaxThemedPhishing. Rise & Inspire: Women in Tech Leading the Way: https://aka.ms/RiseAndInspire. Listen to the SharePoint Roadmap Pitstop | March 2025 — https://aka.ms/SharePoint/RoadmapPitStop by Mark-Kashman. "Thriving together: the power of Microsoft partner communities" by Regina N. Johnson — https://aka.ms/PartnerCommunitiesBlog. Follow *Microsoft Community* on LinkedIn: https://aka.ms/MSCommunityLIMM. Discover the Microsoft Global Community Initiative - a meeting place for all who are part of the Microsoft Community ecosystem, all are welcome: https://aka.ms/MGCI. Next up on Tuesday, April 15th at 8:10 AM and again at 5:10 PM. Our guest speaker, Adam Salah. Register for upcoming events: https://CommunityDays.org/ and community calls on https://CommunityDays.org/calls. Check out our show page to add upcoming shows to your calendar or catch up on past shows at https://aka.ms/MondaysAtMicrosoft. Our next show is on Monday, April 21st at 8am Pacific.Mondays at Microsoft | Episode 44
NOW ON DEMAND It's been a busy last few weeks, with the SharePoint Hackathon and planning for the Microsoft 365 Community Conference. Stay in the know with Mondays at Microsoft. Karuana Gatimu and Heather Cook keep you grounded with the latest in #AI, broader Microsoft 365 product awareness, community activities and events, and more. Original air date: Monday, March 10th, 8 AM PT | #CommunityLuv 💖 Resource links mentioned during the episode: Up your SharePoint IQ! Watch the SharePoint event "From Concept, to Creation, to Impact" + live AMA with Jeff Teper, CJ Tan, and Melissa Torres and the SharePoint team members: https://aka.ms/SharePointEvent Submit your creations to SharePoint Hackathon | Hack submissions open from March 3-17, 2025: https://aka.ms/SharePoint/Hackathon. #HackHackHack #ShareHack Visit our Copilot Hub at https://adoption.microsoft.com/copilot to get your hands on all the latest information about preparing for and implementing this new tech. D-ID partners with Microsoft to deliver Al-powered avatars, transforming communication, customer interaction, and accessibility - https://aka.ms/FoundersHub/D-ID Women’s History Month: Why different perspectives in cybersecurity and AI matter more than ever before: https://aka.ms/WomensHistoryMonth25 By Vasu Jakkal, Corporate Vice President, Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management. Celebrating Women in Gaming: Pioneers & Innovators: https://aka.ms/Xbox/WomenInGaming. The next chapter: Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams: https://aka.ms/Skype/NextChapter by Jeff Teper. Conversations in space: How Hera is using AI to share its mission to defend Earth from asteroids by Chris Welsch Microsoft's Cybersecurity for Rural Hospitals Program: https://aka.ms/CybersecurityRuralHospitals by Kate Behncken. Code.org is fueling a movement of computer science and #AI education - https://aka.ms/Code.org. Apply for the Women at Microsoft Scholarship, deadline March 13, 2025: https://aka.ms/WomenAtMicrosoftScholarship. Lots of product news to follow: Microsoft 365 Blog: https://aka.ms/M365BlogMM Azure Blog: https://aka.ms/AzureBlogMM Dev Blog: https://aka.ms/DevBlogsMM New sales agents accessible in Microsoft 365 Copilot | Help teams close more deals, faster: https://aka.ms/Copilot/NewSalesAgent. "What’s new in Copilot Studio: February 2025 " by Omar Aftab, VP of Conversational AI: https://aka.ms/CopilotStudio/WhatsNew by Omar Aftab The Microsoft Fabric Community Conference returns to Las Vegas from March 31–April 2, 2025. Sign up using code MCUST to save $150 - https://aka.ms/FabConf25 So many great events coming up and all available to check out: https://www.communitydays.org. Next Mondays at Microsoft - March 24th at 8am Pacific. See you there! Check out our show page for more details.Mondays at Microsoft | Episode 45
Connect Karuana Gatimu and Heather Cook to discover the latest in AI, broader Microsoft product updates, community activities and events, and more. This upcoming show will celebrate Microsoft's 50th anniversary, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. use of Copilot for their 'ConsumerIQ' agent, insights about the Ability Summit, putting Humans First during tax season, and more. 🗓️ Join in, Monday, March 24th, 8:00 AM PT. Visit our main show page: https://lnkd.in/ghJ2mVGD Resource links mentioned during the episode: Watch the SharePoint event "From Concept, to Creation, to Impact" + live AMA: https://aka.ms/SharePointEvent. Windows 365 AMA on March 26, 2025, at 8am Pacific: https://aka.ms/Community/W365AMA with Christian Montoya. One Future, One Sound initiative: https://aka.ms/OneSound. #Microsoft50. Share your stories on LinkedIn #CommunityLuv: https://aka.ms/Celebrating50Years. Join us today (3/24/2025) at 9:00 am Pacific learn about Microsoft’s latest security news and innovations: https://aka.ms/Secure2025. Ability Summit: Fifteen years of #accessibility http://aka.ms/AbilitySummit2025 - with speakers Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Jeff Teper, and many other leaders in this space. Xbox joined its partners to unveil the Accessible Games Initiative: https://aka.ms/Xbox/AccessibleGamesInitiative. “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” - Mats Steen in the role-playing universe of World of Warcraft https://aka.ms/Ibelin. Grant Thornton’s Sandie Boswell on supporting employee wellbeing using Copilot in the C-suite: https://aka.ms/Copilot/EmployeeWellbeing. Visit the Copilot adoption hub to discover more: https://adoption.microsoft.com/Copilot. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to reimagine trend forecasting and consumer marketing: https://aka.ms/Copilot/EsteeLauder. ConsumerIQ, an agent built in Copilot Studio, will place consumer data – one of its greatest competitive advantages – at the fingertips of employees. Inspired by art: Aimee Kelly’s AI-driven fashion: https://aka.ms/Copilot/AimeeKelly. New *live chat* in Microsoft Teams: Connecting customers and businesses effortlessly: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/03/17/new-live-chat-in-microsoft-teams-connecting-customers-and-businesses-effortlessly/ by Brenna Robinson. Arapahoe Libraries creates the ‘library of the future’ for communities in Colorado: https://aka.ms/LibraryOfTheFuture. "Elevate your Microsoft Power Platform development experience with Power CAT Tools" by Denise Moran: https://aka.ms/PowerPlatform/PowerCATTools. Plus, Power CAT on YouTube, led by Phil Topness: https://aka.ms/PowerCATLive. The Microsoft Fabric Community Conference returns to Las Vegas from March 31–April 2, 2025. Sign up using code MCUST to save $150: https://aka.ms/FabConf25. Follow Microsoft Community LinkedIn: https://aka.ms/MSCommunityLIMM. To learn more about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative - a meeting place for all who are part of the Microsoft Community ecosystem, all are welcome: https://aka.ms/MGCI. Join us for our upcoming Microsoft Global Community Initiative General Session on Tuesday March 18th at 8:10am and 5:10pm. So many great events coming up and all available to check out on https://www.communitydays.org. We also just launched a community calls page here so you can find community related called host by Microsoft and the community. Thank you, Thomas Daly and crew for keeping the site up-to-date and running smoothly. Level up your Microsoft 365 and #AI skills, chat with product makers, and network with your tech peers. #M365Con is May 6–8 in Las Vegas (MGM Grand Hotel) - The ultimate community event filled with keynotes from Jeff Teper, Vasu Jakkal, Jared Spataro, solution-oriented sessions from Microsoft, MVPs and community leaders, workshops to deepen core skills, a vibrant expo hall, and more. DistasterAssistance.gov for those impacted by the Los Angeles county wildfires: https://disasterassistance.gov. Check out the Mondays at Microsoft show page to add upcoming shows to your calendar or catch up on past shows at https://aka.ms/MondaysAtMicrosoft. Our next show is on Monday, April 7 at 8:00 am Pacific.
Modern Authentication (Oauth/OIDC)
The Significance of OAuth 2.0 and OIDC in Contemporary Society. In today's digital landscape, securing user authentication and authorization is paramount. Modern authentication protocols like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (OIDC) have become the backbone of secure and seamless user experiences. This blog delves into the roles of OAuth 2.0 and OIDC, their request flows, troubleshooting scenarios and their significance in the modern world. Why Oauth 2.0? What problem does it solve? Let's compare Oauth to traditional Forms based Authentication. Aspect OAuth Forms Authentication Password Sharing Eliminates the need for password sharing, reducing credential theft risk. Requires users to share passwords, increasing the risk of credential theft. Access Control Provides granular access control, allowing users to grant specific access to applications. Limited access control, often granting full access once authenticated. Security Measures Enhanced security measures, creating a safer environment for authentication. Susceptible to phishing attacks and credential theft. User Experience Simplifies login processes, enhancing user experience. Can lead to user password fatigue and weak password practices. Credential Storage Does not require storing user credentials, reducing the risk of breaches. Requires secure storage of user credentials, which can be challenging. Session Hijacking Provides mechanisms to prevent session hijacking. Vulnerable to session hijacking, where attackers steal session cookies. OAuth 2.0 Overview OAuth 2.0 is an authorization framework that allows third-party applications to obtain limited access to user resources without exposing user credentials. It provides a secure way for users to grant access to their resources hosted on one site to another site without sharing their credentials. OAuth 2.0 Request Flow Here’s a simplified workflow: Authorization Request: The client application redirects the user to the authorization server, requesting authorization. User Authentication: The user authenticates with the authorization server. Authorization Grant: The authorization server redirects the user back to the client application with an authorization code. Token Request: The client application exchanges the authorization code for an access token by making a request to the token endpoint. Token Response: The authorization server returns the access token to the client application, which can then use it to access protected resources. Let’s take an Example to depict the above Authorization code flow. Consider a front-end .NET core application which is built to make a request to Auth server to secure the token. (i.e. Auth token) the token then will be redeemed to gain access token and passed on to an API to get simple weather details. 1. In program.cs we will have the following code. builder.Services.AddAuthentication(OpenIdConnectDefaults.AuthenticationScheme) .AddMicrosoftIdentityWebApp(builder.Configuration.GetSection("AzureAd")) .EnableTokenAcquisitionToCallDownstreamApi(new string[] { "user.read" }) .AddDownstreamApi("Weather", builder.Configuration.GetSection("Weather")) .AddInMemoryTokenCaches(); The above code configures the application to use Microsoft Identity for authentication, acquire tokens to call downstream APIs, and cache tokens in memory. AddMicrosoftIdentityWebApp This line Registers OIDC auth scheme. It reads the Azure AD settings from the AzureAd section of the configuration file (e.g., appsettings.json). This setup allows the application to authenticate users using Azure Active Directory. EnableTokenAcquisitionToCallDownstreamApi This line enables the application to acquire tokens to call downstream APIs. The user.read scope is specified, which allows the application to read the user's profile information. This is essential for accessing protected resources on behalf of the user. AddDownstreamApi This line configures a downstream API named "Weather". It reads the configuration settings for the Weather API from the Weather section of the configuration file. This setup allows the application to call the Weather API using the acquired tokens. AddInMemoryTokenCaches This line adds an in-memory token cache to the application. Token caching is crucial for improving performance and reducing the number of token requests. By storing tokens in memory, the application can reuse them for subsequent API calls without needing to re-authenticate the user. 2. In applicationsettings.json we will have the following. "AzureAd": { "Instance": "https://login.microsoftonline.com/", "Domain": "Domain name", "TenantId": "Add tenant ID", "ClientId": "Add client ID", "CallbackPath": "/signin-oidc", "Scopes": "user.read", "ClientSecret": "", "ClientCertificates": [] }, In the home controller we can inject the IDownstreamApi field into home default constructor. private IDownstreamApi _downstreamApi; private const string ServiceName = "Weather"; public HomeController(ILogger<HomeController> logger, IDownstreamApi downstreamApi) { _logger = logger; _downstreamApi = downstreamApi; } 3. The following section makes an API call. public async Task<IActionResult> Privacy() { try { var value = await _downstreamApi.CallApiForUserAsync(ServiceName, options => { }); if (value == null) { return NotFound(new { error = "API response is null." }); } value.EnsureSuccessStatusCode(); // Throws if response is not successful string jsonContent = await value.Content.ReadAsStringAsync(); return Content(jsonContent, "application/json"); // Sends raw JSON as is } catch (HttpRequestException ex) { return StatusCode(500, new { error = "Error calling API", details = ex.Message }); } } The above code will make sure to capture the token by making call to Identity provider and forward the redeemed access token (i.e. Bearer token) to the backend Api. 4. Now let’s see the setup at the Web Api: In program.cs we will have the following code snippet. var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args); // Add services to the container. builder.Services.AddControllers(); builder.Services.AddMicrosoftIdentityWebApiAuthentication(builder.Configuration); builder.Services.AddEndpointsApiExplorer(); builder.Services.AddSwaggerGen(); Followed by Appsettings.json. "AzureAd": { "Instance": "https://login.microsoftonline.com/", "Domain": "Domain name", "TenantId": “Add tenant id", "ClientId": "Add client id.", "CallbackPath": "/signin-oidc", "Scopes": "user.read", "ClientSecret": "", "ClientCertificates": [] }, In the controller we can have the following. namespace APIOauth.Controllers { [Authorize(AuthenticationSchemes = "Bearer")] [ApiController] [Route("[controller]")] public class WeatherForecastController : ControllerBase { private static readonly string[] Summaries = new[] { "Freezing", "Bracing", "Chilly", "Cool", "Mild", "Warm", "Balmy", "Hot", "Sweltering", "Scorching" }; To drill down the request flow let’s capture a fiddler: Step 1: First 2 calls are made by the application to openid-configuration and Keys end points. The first step is crucial as the application requires Open id configuration to know what configuration it has and what are the supported types. Example: Claims supported; scopes_supported, token_endpoint_auth_methods_supported, response mode supported etc… Secondly the keys endpoint provides all the public keys which can later be used to Decrypt the token received. Step 2: Once we have the above config and keys the application now Redirects the user to identity provider with the following parameters. Points to be noted in the above screen is the response_type which is code (Authorization code) and the response_mode is Form_post. Step 3: The subsequent request is the Post requests which will have the Auth code in it. Step 4: In this step we will redeem the auth code with access token. Request is made by attaching the auth code along with following parameters. Response is received with an access token. Step 5: Now the final call is made to the Api along with the access token to get weather details. Request: Response: This completes the Oauth Authorization code flow. Let us now take a moment to gain a brief understanding of JWT tokens. JWTs are widely used for authentication and authorization in modern web applications due to their compact size and security features. They allow secure transmission of information between parties and can be easily verified and trusted. Structure A JWT consists of three parts separated by dots (.), which are: Header: Contains metadata about the type of token and the cryptographic algorithms used. Payload: Contains the claims. Claims are statements about an entity (typically, the user) and additional data. Signature: Ensures that the token wasn't altered. It is created by taking the encoded header, the encoded payload, a secret, the algorithm specified in the header, and signing that. Here is an example of a JWT: OpenID Connect. (OIDC) OIDC Overview OpenID Connect is an authentication layer built on top of OAuth 2.0. While OAuth 2.0 handles authorization, OIDC adds authentication, allowing applications to verify the identity of users and obtain basic profile information. This combination ensures both secure access and user identity verification. OIDC Request Flow OIDC extends the OAuth 2.0 authorization code flow by adding an ID token, which contains user identity information. Here’s a simplified workflow: Authorization Request: The client application redirects the user to the authorization server, requesting authorization and an ID token. User Authentication: The user authenticates with the authorization server. Authorization Grant: The authorization server redirects the user back to the client application with an authorization code. Token Request: The client application exchanges the authorization code for an access token and an ID token by making a request to the token endpoint. Token Response: The authorization server returns the access token and ID token to the client application. The ID token contains user identity information, which the client application can use to authenticate the user. Example: Consider .Net core application which is setup for user Authentication. Let’s see the workflow. Let’s capture a fiddler once again to see the authentication flow: Step 1: & Step 2: would remain same as we saw in Authorization code flow. Making a call to OpenID configuration & making a call to Keys Endpoint. Step 3: Response type here is “ID token” and not a Auth code as we saw in Authorization code flow. This is an implicit flow since we are not redeeming or exchanging an Auth code. Also, an Implicit flow doesn't need a client secret. Step 4: In a post request to browser, we will receive an ID token. This completes the implicit code flow which will result in getting the ID token to permit the user to the application. Common Troubleshooting Scenarios Implementing OAuth in ASP.NET Core can sometimes present challenges. Here are some common issues and how to address them: 1. Misconfigurations Misconfigurations can lead to authentication failures and security vulnerabilities. For example, loss of internet connection or incorrect settings in the OAuth configuration can disrupt the authentication process. One example which we have faced is servers placed in “DMZ” with no internet access. Server need to make an outbound call to login.microsoft.com or identity provider for getting the metadata for openId/Oauth. 2. Failures due to server farm setup. Loss of saving Data protection keys on different workers. Data protection is used to protect Cookies. For server farm the data protection keys should be persisted and shared. One common issue with data protection keys in OAuth flow is the synchronization of keys across different servers or instances. If the keys are not synchronized correctly, it can result in authentication failures and disrupt the OAuth flow. In memory token caches can also cause re-authentication since the user token might exist in other workers or get purged after a restart. 3. Token Expiration Token expiration can disrupt user sessions and require re-authentication, which can frustrate users. It's essential to implement token refresh functionality to enhance user experience and security. 4. Redirect URI Mismatches Redirect URI mismatches can prevent applications from receiving authorization cods, causing login failures. Ensure that the redirect URI specified in the identity provider’s settings matches the one in your application. 5. Scope Misconfigurations Improperly configured scopes can result in inadequate permissions and restrict access to necessary resources. It's crucial to define the correct scopes to ensure that applications have the necessary permissions to access resources. By understanding these common pitfalls and implementing best practices, developers can successfully integrate OAuth into their ASP.NET Core applications, ensuring a secure and seamless user experience. References: Call a web API from a web app - Microsoft identity platform | Microsoft Learn Microsoft identity platform and OAuth 2.0 authorization code flow - Microsoft identity platform | Microsoft Learn OpenID Connect (OIDC) on the Microsoft identity platform - Microsoft identity platform | Microsoft Learn I hope it helps!Exploring Azure OpenAI Assistants and Azure AI Agent Services: Benefits and Opportunities
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, businesses are increasingly turning to cloud-based solutions to harness the power of AI. Microsoft Azure offers two prominent services in this domain: Azure OpenAI Assistants and Azure AI Agent Services. While both services aim to enhance user experiences and streamline operations, they cater to different needs and use cases. This blog post will delve into the details of each service, their benefits, and the opportunities they present for businesses. Understanding Azure OpenAI Assistants What Are Azure OpenAI Assistants? Azure OpenAI Assistants are designed to leverage the capabilities of OpenAI's models, such as GPT-3 and its successors. These assistants are tailored for applications that require advanced natural language processing (NLP) and understanding, making them ideal for conversational agents, chatbots, and other interactive applications. Key Features Pre-trained Models: Azure OpenAI Assistants utilize pre-trained models from OpenAI, which means they come with a wealth of knowledge and language understanding out of the box. This reduces the time and effort required for training models from scratch. Customizability: While the models are pre-trained, developers can fine-tune them to meet specific business needs. This allows for the creation of personalized experiences that resonate with users. Integration with Azure Ecosystem: Azure OpenAI Assistants seamlessly integrate with other Azure services, such as Azure Functions, Azure Logic Apps, and Azure Cognitive Services. This enables businesses to build comprehensive solutions that leverage multiple Azure capabilities. Benefits of Azure OpenAI Assistants Enhanced User Experience: By utilizing advanced NLP capabilities, Azure OpenAI Assistants can provide more natural and engaging interactions. This leads to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty. Rapid Deployment: The availability of pre-trained models allows businesses to deploy AI solutions quickly. This is particularly beneficial for organizations looking to implement AI without extensive development time. Scalability: Azure's cloud infrastructure ensures that applications built with OpenAI Assistants can scale to meet growing user demands without compromising performance. Understanding Azure AI Agent Services What Are Azure AI Agent Services? Azure AI Agent Services provide a more flexible framework for building AI-driven applications. Unlike Azure OpenAI Assistants, which are limited to OpenAI models, Azure AI Agent Services allow developers to utilize a variety of AI models, including those from other providers or custom-built models. Key Features Model Agnosticism: Developers can choose from a wide range of AI models, enabling them to select the best fit for their specific use case. This flexibility encourages innovation and experimentation. Custom Agent Development: Azure AI Agent Services support the creation of custom agents that can perform a variety of tasks, from simple queries to complex decision-making processes. Integration with Other AI Services: Like OpenAI Assistants, Azure AI Agent Services can integrate with other Azure services, allowing for the creation of sophisticated AI solutions that leverage multiple technologies. Benefits of Azure AI Agent Services Diverse Use Cases: The ability to use any AI model opens a world of possibilities for businesses. Whether it's a specialized model for sentiment analysis or a custom-built model for a niche application, organizations can tailor their solutions to meet specific needs. Enhanced Automation: AI agents can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up human resources for more strategic activities. This leads to increased efficiency and productivity. Cost-Effectiveness: By allowing the use of various models, businesses can choose cost-effective solutions that align with their budget and performance requirements. Opportunities for Businesses Improved Customer Engagement Both Azure OpenAI Assistants and Azure AI Agent Services can significantly enhance customer engagement. By providing personalized and context-aware interactions, businesses can create a more satisfying user experience. For example, a retail company can use an AI assistant to provide tailored product recommendations based on customer preferences and past purchases. Data-Driven Decision Making AI agents can analyze vast amounts of data and provide actionable insights. This capability enables organizations to make informed decisions based on real-time data analysis. For instance, a financial institution can deploy an AI agent to monitor market trends and provide investment recommendations to clients. Streamlined Operations By automating routine tasks, businesses can streamline their operations and reduce operational costs. For example, a customer support team can use AI agents to handle common inquiries, allowing human agents to focus on more complex issues. Innovation and Experimentation The flexibility of Azure AI Agent Services encourages innovation. Developers can experiment with different models and approaches to find the most effective solutions for their specific challenges. This culture of experimentation can lead to breakthroughs in product development and service delivery. Enhanced Analytics and Insights Integrating AI agents with analytics tools can provide businesses with deeper insights into customer behavior and preferences. This data can inform marketing strategies, product development, and customer service improvements. For example, a company can analyze interactions with an AI assistant to identify common customer pain points, allowing them to address these issues proactively. Conclusion In summary, both Azure OpenAI Assistants and Azure AI Agent Services offer unique advantages that can significantly benefit businesses looking to leverage AI technology. Azure OpenAI Assistants provide a robust framework for building conversational agents using advanced OpenAI models, making them ideal for applications that require sophisticated natural language understanding and generation. Their ease of integration, rapid deployment, and enhanced user experience make them a compelling choice for businesses focused on customer engagement. Azure AI Agent Services, on the other hand, offer unparalleled flexibility by allowing developers to utilize a variety of AI models. This model-agnostic approach encourages innovation and experimentation, enabling businesses to tailor solutions to their specific needs. The ability to automate tasks and streamline operations can lead to significant cost savings and increased efficiency. Additional Resources To further explore Azure OpenAI Assistants and Azure AI Agent Services, consider the following resources: Agent Service on Microsoft Learn Docs Watch On-Demand Sessions Streamlining Customer Service with AI-Powered Agents: Building Intelligent Multi-Agent Systems with Azure AI Microsoft learn Develop AI agents on Azure - Training | Microsoft Learn Community and Announcements Tech Community Announcement: Introducing Azure AI Agent Service Bonus Blog Post: Announcing the Public Preview of Azure AI Agent Service AI Agents for Beginners 10 Lesson Course https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners
