---
name: azure-dedicated-hsm
description: Expert knowledge for Azure Dedicated HSM development including troubleshooting, decision making, architecture & design patterns, security, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when sizing HSM clusters, configuring ExpressRoute IP SKUs, securing VNets, planning HSM retirement, or scripting CLI/PowerShell provisioning, 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).
compatibility: Requires network access. Uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation.
metadata:
generated_at: "2026-10-18"
generator: "docs2skills/1.0.0"
---
# Azure Dedicated HSM Skill
This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Dedicated HSM. Covers troubleshooting, decision making, architecture & design patterns, security, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.
## How to Use This Skill
> **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
> **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)
This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content:
- **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown.
- **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown.
## Category Index
| Category | Lines | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Troubleshooting | L34-L39 | Diagnosing and fixing common Azure Dedicated HSM issues, including deployment failures, connectivity, configuration, and operational problems during setup and usage. |
| Decision Making | L40-L44 | Guidance on Dedicated HSM retirement, choosing successors (Managed/Cloud HSM), and planning/migrating ExpressRoute IPs and HSM workloads to new SKUs or services. |
| 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). |
| Security | L52-L57 | Physical security controls for Dedicated HSM hardware and best‑practice configuration guidance (networking, access, policies) to securely deploy and operate HSMs. |
| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L58-L65 | Scripts and step-by-step guidance for provisioning and deploying Azure Dedicated HSM instances using PowerShell and Azure CLI. |
| Deployment | L66-L69 | Guidance for migrating the ExpressRoute gateway IP SKU used with Azure Dedicated HSM, including steps, prerequisites, and configuration considerations. |
### Troubleshooting
| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Resolve common issues with Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/faq |
| Troubleshoot Azure Dedicated HSM deployments and usage | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/troubleshoot |
### Decision Making
| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Plan migration from Azure Dedicated HSM to Managed or Cloud HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/migration-guide |
### Architecture & Design Patterns
| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Design deployment architecture for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/deployment-architecture |
| Design high availability for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/high-availability |
| Plan networking architecture for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/networking |
### Security
| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Understand physical security of Azure Dedicated HSM devices | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/physical-security |
| Secure configuration for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/secure-dedicated-hsm |
### Integrations & Coding Patterns
| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Create Azure Dedicated HSM using PowerShell | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/quickstart-create-hsm-powershell |
| Create Azure Dedicated HSM using Azure CLI | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/quickstart-hsm-azure-cli |
| Deploy Azure Dedicated HSM with Azure CLI | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/tutorial-deploy-hsm-cli |
| Deploy Azure Dedicated HSM with PowerShell | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/tutorial-deploy-hsm-powershell |
### Deployment
| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Migrate Dedicated HSM ExpressRoute gateway IP SKU | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/migration-basic-standard |