1---2name: azure-dedicated-hsm3description: 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).4---5# Azure Dedicated HSM Skill
6
7This 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.
8
9## How to Use This Skill
10
11> **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
12
13> **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)
14
15This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content:
16- **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown.
17- **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown.
18
19## Category Index
20
21| Category | Lines | Description |
22|----------|-------|-------------|
23| 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. |
24| 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. |
25| 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). |
26| Security | L52-L57 | Physical security controls for Dedicated HSM devices and recommended security configurations, policies, and operational best practices for protecting keys and access. |
27| Deployment | L58-L61 | Guidance for migrating the ExpressRoute gateway IP SKU used with Azure Dedicated HSM, including steps, prerequisites, and configuration considerations. |
28
29### Troubleshooting
30| Topic | URL |
31|-------|-----|
32| Resolve common Azure Dedicated HSM usage and support questions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/faq |
33| Troubleshoot Azure Dedicated HSM deployment and configuration issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/troubleshoot |
34
35### Decision Making
36| Topic | URL |
37|-------|-----|
38| Plan migration from Azure Dedicated HSM to Managed or Cloud HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/migration-guide |
39| Understand Azure Dedicated HSM retirement and successors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/overview |
40
41### Architecture & Design Patterns
42| Topic | URL |
43|-------|-----|
44| Design deployment architecture for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/deployment-architecture |
45| Design high availability for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/high-availability |
46| Plan networking architecture for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/networking |
47
48### Security
49| Topic | URL |
50|-------|-----|
51| Understand physical security of Azure Dedicated HSM devices | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/physical-security |
52| Apply security best practices for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/secure-dedicated-hsm |
53
54### Deployment
55| Topic | URL |
56|-------|-----|
57| Migrate Dedicated HSM ExpressRoute gateway IP SKU | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/migration-basic-standard |
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