We will use the Azure Portal (GUI) to launch an Ubuntu Linux Virtual Machine (VM).
Note: Azure charges by the minute while your VM is running. Don't forget to delete everything at the end so you pay nothing (or just pennies).
Step 1: Create Your Resource Group
Think of a Resource Group as a folder that will hold your VM and all its related parts. Creating it first keeps things organized.
Sign In: Log into the Azure Portal.
Create a Resource Group:
Click + Create a resource in the top left corner.
Type "Resource Group" in the search bar and select it.
Click Create.
Name it MyLinuxLab_RG
Select a Region close to you (e.g., East/West US)
Click Review + create → Create
Quick Definition: A Region is the physical location of the data center where your cloud resources will live.
Step 2: Create the Ubuntu Linux VM
Now that your folder (Resource Group) is ready, let's build the actual Linux computer.
Basics Tab:
Resource Group: Select MyLinuxLab_RG from the dropdown
Virtual Machine Name: Ubuntu-Lab-01
Region: Choose the same region you used for your Resource Group
Availability Options: Leave as "No infrastructure redundancy required" (fine for learning)
Image: Confirm it says Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS (or newer)
Size: Choose Standard_B2s — it's cost-effective and perfect for learning or the default.
Administrator Account:
Authentication type: Select password
Username: azadmin (or a name you'll remember)
Quick Definition: SSH (Secure Shell) is the secure "door" that lets you type commands into your Linux VM from your own terminal. The key pair is like a digital lock and key.
Inbound Port Rules: Under "Public inbound ports," ensure Allow selected ports is checked Http Port 80 and SSH (22) is selected as we move forward we will learn more together.
Click Review + create → wait for the green "Validation passed" message → Click Create
Note: Don't worry if you see yellow warnings — those are usually fine. Look for the green checkmark.
To ensure that your terminal section does not go off. Click the IP address ensure you extend the time under networking.
Step 3:
Click Connect which would enable you remotely login to the Linux VM:
For windows you would need to open/launch Powershell and For Mac you would open/launch Terminal and run the ID and Ip given.
Now you see my powershell on my windows prompting for Password.
Next: We would login in as a root user which is the same as an administrator in Windows.
"sudo su" and run "apt update" which is to ensure that the latest update is installed.
Step 4: We would install the ntp package - also know as the package manager. "ntp install nginx"
This shows we did login in successfully and we can also remotely login using other options.
Step 5:
Remember to delete.
If this help you in any way kindly share. If you did like to spice up this beginner guide in the comment section I did love that.
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