1---
2name: azure-dedicated-hsm
3description: Expert knowledge for Azure Dedicated HSM development including troubleshooting, decision making, architecture & design patterns, security, and deployment. Use when sizing HSM clusters, configuring ExpressRoute IP SKUs, securing VNets, or planning HSM retirement/migration, and other Azure Dedicated HSM related development tasks. Not for Azure Cloud Hsm (use azure-cloud-hsm), Azure Key Vault (use azure-key-vault), Azure Payment Hsm (use azure-payment-hsm).
4compatibility: Requires network access. Uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation.
5metadata:
6 generated_at: "2026-08-31"
7 generator: "docs2skills/1.0.0"
8---
9
10# Azure Dedicated HSM Skill
11
12This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Dedicated HSM. Covers troubleshooting, decision making, architecture & design patterns, security, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.
13
14## How to Use This Skill
15
16> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: Use the **Category Index** below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., `L35-L120`), use `read_file` with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., `[security.md](security.md)`), use `read_file` on the linked reference file
17
18> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: If `metadata.generated_at` is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If `mcp_microsoftdocs` tools are not available, suggest the user install it: [Installation Guide](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mcp/blob/main/README.md)
19
20This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content:
21- **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown.
22- **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown.
23
24## Category Index
25
26| Category | Lines | Description |
27|----------|-------|-------------|
28| Troubleshooting | L33-L38 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure Dedicated HSM deployment, configuration, usage, and support issues, including common errors and steps to resolve failed or misconfigured HSM instances. |
29| Decision Making | L39-L44 | Guidance on Dedicated HSM retirement, choosing successors (Managed/Cloud HSM), and planning/migrating ExpressRoute IPs and HSM workloads to new SKUs or services. |
30| Architecture & Design Patterns | L45-L51 | Guidance on designing Dedicated HSM deployments: sizing and topology, high availability and failover patterns, and secure networking (VNet, subnets, routing, and connectivity). |
31| Security | L52-L57 | Physical security controls for Dedicated HSM devices and recommended security configurations, policies, and operational best practices for protecting keys and access. |
32| Deployment | L58-L61 | Guidance for migrating the ExpressRoute gateway IP SKU used with Azure Dedicated HSM, including steps, prerequisites, and configuration considerations. |
33
34### Troubleshooting
35| Topic | URL |
36|-------|-----|
37| Resolve common Azure Dedicated HSM usage and support questions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/faq |
38| Troubleshoot Azure Dedicated HSM deployment and configuration issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/troubleshoot |
39
40### Decision Making
41| Topic | URL |
42|-------|-----|
43| Plan migration from Azure Dedicated HSM to Managed or Cloud HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/migration-guide |
44| Understand Azure Dedicated HSM retirement and successors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/overview |
45
46### Architecture & Design Patterns
47| Topic | URL |
48|-------|-----|
49| Design deployment architecture for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/deployment-architecture |
50| Design high availability for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/high-availability |
51| Plan networking architecture for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/networking |
52
53### Security
54| Topic | URL |
55|-------|-----|
56| Understand physical security of Azure Dedicated HSM devices | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/physical-security |
57| Apply security best practices for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/secure-dedicated-hsm |
58
59### Deployment
60| Topic | URL |
61|-------|-----|
62| Migrate Dedicated HSM ExpressRoute gateway IP SKU | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/migration-basic-standard |
microsoftdocs