Unable to Access Conference API in Azure API Management course – Unit 8 Exercise.

Question

The API URL specified in the exercise for OpenAPI Specification doesn't seem to be active anymore. But as per the exercise, Conference API (as specified in the exercise content) must be used. Can someone please help me understand if I'm using the right API for this exercise ? If not, kindly help me by providing the right API URL.

Screenshot 1 - My shot at importing the API in Azure Portal

Screenshot 2 - Snip from the course tutorial

This question is related to the following Learning Module

Answer 1

Hi Kalyan,

It sounds like the API URL specified in the OpenAPI Specification exercise is outdated, which can sometimes happen with training modules. Since you're required to use the Conference API, but the current URL isn't functioning, here are a few steps to troubleshoot and find the correct API URL:

1. Check the documentation or resource files: Sometimes exercises will include a downloadable file or reference that may list a new or correct API URL.
2. Look for a sandbox environment: If the exercise is part of a training platform (e.g., Microsoft Learn), there could be a dedicated sandbox environment with a preconfigured API endpoint for the exercises.
3. Verify in the instructor's notes or forums: If you're following a structured course, the instructor might have provided an updated URL in the notes, or there might be a community forum where updates are posted.
4. Use a mock API: If the Conference API is purely for learning purposes and you're stuck due to the URL issue, you could consider using a mock API generator (like Mockoon or Postman Mock Servers) to simulate the API based on the OpenAPI specification provided in the exercise.

Would you be able to share the current (non-functional) API URL you're using? This could help in identifying if there's a known replacement or workaround.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any further queries. I hope the information provided has been helpful to you! If so, please accept the answer by clicking the Accept Answer / Upvote on the post. We value your feedback, and it will help to assist others who might have a similar query. Thank you for your contribution in enhancing Microsoft Q&A!

Answer 2

@Kalyan GregThib After discussing internally, our team has confirmed that conference Api is deprecated, and we do not own this API. As a result, we are in the process of updating our documentation to use the PetStore API instead.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your understanding. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Answer 3

To anyone stuck with Conference API, I found a workaround to the issue. As suggested by RDash above, I used a sample API by downloading its OpenAPI spec YAML file from OAI GitHub profile repository OpenAPI-Specification. As the API importing functionality in Azure API Management screen provides an option to either paste a URL or upload a spec file, I simply uploaded the spec file that I downloaded from the previous hyperlink. I followed the rest of the steps in the exercise mentioned in this question as is and finished things up. PFA, screenshots from OpenAPI GitHub profile repository and uploading an API spec file in Azure API Management API import section

1. Aforementioned repository containing a sample OpenAPI API spec file
2. Importing API spec in Azure

Answer 4

Is there any hope of getting this service back?

My team uses it as a playground environment to test new functionalities and hotfixes. It's better for us not to apply our tests in our other environments.

Is it perhaps just a server that's down, or has the service been completely deprecated?

Thank you, and have a nice day.