There are couple of, exactly four, ways how to run pipeline agents in Azure DevOps, each with its own advantages. Managed DevOps Pools, which became generally available at the end of 2024, is the new kid on the block and has some significant advantages over its predecessors. And it also has an interesting backstory.

In this session we'll explore what DevOps agents are, how they work and why are Managed DevOps Pools something you most likely want to check out if you work with Azure DevOps.

Topics in this session include:
- Understanding DevOps agents in Azure DevOps
- Exploring different types of pipeline agents available
- Key benefits of Managed DevOps Pools
- Setting up an environment with Managed DevOps Pools
- First hand experiences with Managed DevOps Pools

In the live demo, we’ll walk through the complete setup – from Azure DevOps to Azure Cloud – while executing a simple deployment.

This session is suitable for all experience levels, though those with limited knowledge of Azure DevOps and Managed DevOps Pools will benefit the most. A basic understanding of Azure DevOps is recommended.

Session length: 35-50 minutes, presented at Azure & Friends meetup in January 2025