Azure Virtual Machines: Running a compute infrastructure in the cloud
A virtual machine is an on-demand, scalable computer resource that is generally used to host applications when the customer requires more control over the computing environment using the Infrastructure as a Service model. This compute resource is available in Azure, it is quick and easy to set up.
An Azure VM gives you the flexibility of virtualization without having to buy and maintain the physical hardware that runs it. However, you still need to maintain the VM by performing tasks, such as configuring, patching, and installing the software that runs on it.
Azure virtual machines can be used in various ways. Some examples are:
- Development and test — Azure VMs offer a quick and easy way to create a computer with specific configurations required to code and test an application.
- Applications in the cloud — Because demand for your application can fluctuate, it might make economic sense to run it on a VM in Azure. You pay for extra VMs when you need them and shut them down when you don’t.
- Extended datacenter — Virtual machines in an Azure virtual network can easily be connected to your organization’s network.
The number of VMs that your application uses can scale up and out to whatever is required to meet your needs.
Azure offers different sizes of VM’s tailored to meet your workload needs, follow this link to find out more about VM sizes in Azure https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/sizes
- How to Create a Linux VM using Azure Portal
Step 1: Open the Azure portal and get the page shown on the image above, you can search for virtual machines from the search bar or click the CREATE RESOURCE panel and select Virtual Machines and in some cases, the Virtual machine icon may be already present for you to click on.
Step 2: Click on Create button
Step 3: Select your Subscription, Resource group, type a VM name, select Location, Security and Image
Step 4: Select VM size, set preferred authentication type, and optionally select inbound port rules(if necessary). Click on NEXT
Step 5: Select Disk Size, Disk Type, and other properties, Click on NEXT
Step 7: Select a Virtual Network or Create New, select and manage subnet, setup NIC, configure NSG inbound ports. Click NEXT
Step 8: Make necessary management configs and click ADVANCED
Step 9: Edit Advanced configuration (if applicable) and click NEXT
Step 10: Add tags to VM so it can help while querying. Tags like Owner, Creation date, and Env can help group certain resources when needed. Click on REVIEW and CREATE
Step 11: Once Validation is passed, click on Create and wait for your VM to be created.
You can now log in to you VM using Putty for Linux VMs or Remote Desktop Connection for Windows VMs using the Public IP address, you may want to modify the NSG rules to allow inbound traffic from the internet.
For more information on Azure Virtual Machines, take a look at the official guide from Microsoft here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/
Happy learning…
