@Garrett Boggan
Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A community.
It's great to hear that you're looking to reconnect with your database skills. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Accessing Azure with Your Microsoft Credentials
Yes, you can use your Microsoft username and password to log in to Azure. Once logged in, you can create a Windows Virtual Machine (VM) with Windows 10 or 111. This will allow you to install Microsoft Access and connect to your databases.
Step 2: Creating a Windows VM on Azure
You can create a Windows VM on Azure using the Azure Portal. Here's a brief overview of the process:
Sign in to Azure: Use your Microsoft credentials to log in.
Create a VM: Follow the steps to create a new VM, selecting the appropriate Windows image (Windows 10 or 11).
Configure the VM: Choose the VM size and other configurations based on your needs.
Connect to the VM: Once the VM is created, you can connect to it using Remote Desktop.
Step 3: Cost Estimation
The cost of using Azure services can vary based on your usage. Here are some key points:
VM Pricing: Azure offers a variety of VM sizes and pricing options. You can use the Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate your costs1.
Free Tier: Azure provides a free tier that includes 750 hours each of B1s, B2pts v2 (Arm-based), and B2ats v2 (AMD-based) burstable VMs free every month for 12 months.
Additional Costs: Be aware of potential additional costs for storage, networking, and other services.
Step 4: Alternative Hosting Options
If Azure isn't the right fit, there are other commercial data center hosting services in Ireland that you can consider:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS offers a wide range of cloud services, including VM hosting.
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP): GCP also provides VM hosting and other cloud services.
- Local Hosting Providers: There are several local hosting providers in Ireland that offer VM hosting services.
See: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/virtual-machines/windows/