Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine Deployment: Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to deploy virtual machines in Microsoft Azure with this comprehensive guide. Dive into the configuration process, from selecting VM sizes and regions to setting up DNS names, images, and credentials. Follow these steps to efficiently create and manage virtual machines in Azure for optimal cloud performance.

Microsoft Azure - Deploying Virtual Machines

In the ‘Compute Module’ chapter, we quickly went over how to create a virtual machine in Azure. Now, let's dive deeper into the detailed process, including how to configure virtual machines properly.

Quick Create

  1. Log in: Log in to the Azure Management Portal.
  2. Access Virtual Machines: In the left panel, find and click on ‘Virtual Machines,’ then select ‘Create a Virtual Machine.’
  3. New VM: Alternatively, you can click ‘New’ at the bottom left corner, then navigate to ‘Compute’ → ‘Virtual Machine’ → ‘Quick Create.’
  4. DNS Name: Enter a unique DNS name. This name is used to connect to your virtual machine.
  5. Select Image and Size: Choose an image and size from the dropdown list. The size you select will affect the cost of running your virtual machine.
  6. Username and Password: Enter a username and password. Remember these credentials, as you will need them to log in to the virtual machine later.
  7. Select Region: Select the appropriate region for your VM.
  8. Create VM: Click ‘Create a virtual machine,’ and within a few seconds, your new machine will be ready to use.

Create a Virtual Machine with Advanced Settings

  1. Custom Create: Choose ‘Custom Create’ instead of ‘Quick Create’ to access advanced settings.
  2. Select Image: Select an image from the list. You'll find images categorized on the left side for easy selection. For example, to create a VM for SQL Server, choose ‘SQL Server’ from the left, and relevant software options will appear in the middle.
  3. Continue: Click on the Next arrow to continue.
  4. Name and Version: Choose the Version Release Date and give your VM a name.
  5. Select Tier: Select the Tier. The size options will change depending on the selected tier. The basic version offers fewer options, while the standard version provides more. Choose according to your needs. For instance, SQL Server requires at least an A4 machine with 8 cores and 14GB of memory.
  6. Username and Password: Enter the username and password, then click the Next arrow.
  7. DNS Name and Region: Provide a unique DNS name and select the region.
  8. Storage Account: Under the storage account section, you can select from existing storage accounts or create a new one. The dropdown will display the storage accounts you've already created.
  9. Availability Set: You can choose to group your virtual machines into a set that ensures availability even if a single component fails. You can select ‘none’ for now.
  10. Endpoints: The last option is Endpoints, which allow communication between your virtual machine and other resources. You can leave this for now, as it will be covered in more detail in a later chapter.
  11. Create VM: Click ‘Next,’ and your virtual machine will be set up in a few seconds.

Connecting with a Virtual Network

  1. Create VM: Create a virtual machine using the steps mentioned earlier. If you already have a virtual network set up in Azure, it will appear in the dropdown list. Simply select the network from the list.
  2. View Network Resources: To view the network resources, go to your Virtual Network in the management portal, click on ‘Dashboard,’ and you'll see the virtual machine listed under the network resources.

Accessing the Virtual Machine

To connect to your virtual machine, refer to the step-by-step guide provided in the ‘Compute Module’ chapter of this tutorial.

Considerations

  • Location: Choose a region close to your users to minimize latency.
  • Cost: Review the costs associated with the selected VM size to ensure they are manageable.
  • Storage Account: Using an existing storage account can help keep things organized and easier to manage.

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