Create ARM parameter names dynamically - azure

Question

I have a scenario where i need to generate the parameters names dynamically. Like certificate1, certificate2, certificate3 .. so on. Currently all these parameters should be defined in Main template. Can we use copy to iterate and define parameter Names dynamically in Main/Parent template? Or is there a way in ARM templates by which this can be accomplished?

Answer 1

you can use copy construct in variables section or in resource definition\resource properties. and then you can use concat() together with copyIndex() function to create names.
example:
[concat('something-', copyIndex())]
this will give you names like something-0, something-1, something-2 etc. (copyIndex starts at 0). you can also choose to offset copyIndex by giving it an offset number:
[concat('something-', copyIndex(10))]
this will give you name like something-10, something-11, something-12 etc.
copy in variables\properties:
"copy": [
{
"name": "nameOfThePropertyOrVariableYouWantToIterateOver",
"count": 3,
"input": {
"name": "[concat('something-', copyIndex('nameOfThePropertyOrVariableYouWantToIterateOver', 1))]"
}
}
]
here you need to specify which loop are you referring to with copyIndex function and you can use offset as well

Answer 2

You can use the copy function in Azure Template to generate the name of the resource, just like certificate1, certificate2, certificate3 .. so on.
Example below:
{
"$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2015-01-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
"contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
"resources": [
{
"apiVersion": "2016-01-01",
"type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts",
"name": "[concat('storage',copyIndex())]",
"location": "[resourceGroup().location]",
"sku": {
"name": "Standard_LRS"
},
"kind": "Storage",
"properties": {},
"copy": {
"name": "storagecopy",
"count": 3
}
}
],
"outputs": {}
}
And the storage name will like these:
storage0
storage1
storage2
For more details, see Deploy multiple instances of a resource or property in Azure Resource Manager Templates.