version: "1.0.2" name: azure-dedicated-hsm description: Expert knowledge for Azure Dedicated HSM development including troubleshooting, decision making, architecture & design patterns, security, and deployment. Use when sizing HSM clusters, configuring VNet/ExpressRoute, migrating ER Basic→Standard, or planning HSM retirement, 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: "2026-08-09" 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, 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
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 | 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 devices and recommended security configurations, policies, and operational best practices for protecting keys and access. | |
| Deployment | L58-L61 | Guidance for migrating Azure Dedicated HSM deployments from ExpressRoute Basic to Standard, including network changes, prerequisites, and step-by-step migration process. | |
Troubleshooting
| Topic | URL | |
|---|
| Resolve common Azure Dedicated HSM usage and support questions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/faq | |
| Troubleshoot Azure Dedicated HSM deployment and configuration issues | 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 | |
| Understand Azure Dedicated HSM retirement and successors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/overview | |
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 | |
| Apply security best practices for Azure Dedicated HSM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/secure-dedicated-hsm | |
Deployment
| Topic | URL | |
|---|
| Migrate Dedicated HSM from ExpressRoute Basic to Standard | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dedicated-hsm/migration-basic-standard | |