DEV Community: Awoyemi Samuel Ola

Unlock Limitless Possibilities: Supercharge Your Azure Virtual Machine with Additional Disk Space!

Awoyemi Samuel Ola — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 20:52:33 +0000

When you create a new virtual machine in Azure, it typically comes with at least one disk, which is the operating system (OS) disk. The OS disk contains the operating system and associated files necessary for the virtual machine to run. However, by default, a new virtual machine does not come with an attached data disk.

If you need additional storage space for your virtual machine beyond what the OS disk provides, you would need to add a separate data disk. Data disks are used to store data, applications, files, and other information. They can be attached to a virtual machine to provide extra storage capacity and help improve performance, especially for scenarios that involve a lot of data processing or storage.

So, while a new virtual machine includes an OS disk by default, any additional data disks need to be added manually.

The Steps involved in adding a data disk to a virtual machine are highlighted below.

Once a Virtual Machine has been created, you can go ahead and add a data disk

1. The Virtual machine named "SamVm" has just been created.

a. Open the Virtual Machine's overview to display all the information about it.

b. Select "Disks" and click "Create and attach a new disk". You can either create and attach a new disk or attach an existing disk

Properly configuring and managing LUNs, naming disks descriptively, understanding and meeting IOPS needs, and selecting appropriate storage types can lead to better resource utilization, improved application performance, and streamlined management of your virtual machine storage.

Considering these factors collectively can significantly impact the performance, scalability, and efficiency of your virtual machine environment.

Once all the parameters above have been properly configured, Click "Save"

Connect the Vm via the local RDP

Download the RDP file

Save the RDP file on your local PC

Click on Connect on the Remote Desktop Protocol(RDP) pop-up.

Enter the Administrator's details; username and password.

Click YES

The Virtual machine is fully created and connected.

Format and configure the storage for the new Virtual machine.

a. Check the GPT (GUID Partition Table) and click OK

Checking the GPT (GUID Partition Table) option while configuring disks in a new virtual machine is an important decision that affects how your storage is organized and managed.

The choice between using GPT or MBR (Master Boot Record) for partitioning your disks has significant implications for your virtual machine's performance, scalability, and compatibility.

Advantages of checking GPT over MBR

a. Disk Capacity Utilization:

GPT supports larger disk capacities compared to MBR. If you're using large virtual disks or have plans to scale up your storage needs, GPT is essential to ensure that you can fully utilize the available space without limitations.

b. Support for More Partitions:

GPT allows for a larger number of primary partitions compared to MBR. This is beneficial if your virtual machine requires multiple partitions, such as separate partitions for the operating system, data, and applications.

c. UEFI Compatibility:

GPT is the recommended partitioning scheme for modern systems using UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) instead of the traditional BIOS. UEFI provides improved security, faster boot times, and support for larger disks.

d. Data Integrity and Redundancy:

GPT includes a backup of the partition table at the end of the disk, enhancing data recovery in case of corruption or errors in the primary table. This redundancy contributes to data integrity and reliability.

e. Security and Protection:

GPT includes a feature called "Protective MBR" that helps prevent older, MBR-based utilities from accidentally damaging or overwriting GPT disks.

f. Compatibility with Modern Operating Systems:

GPT is better suited for modern operating systems, including recent versions of Windows, Linux, and macOS. If you plan to install or migrate to newer OS versions, GPT is the more compatible choice.

g. Alignment and Performance:

GPT partitions are aligned more optimally on modern storage devices, leading to potential performance improvements, especially on SSDs and advanced storage technologies.

The Data Disk has 32G unallocated storage. Right-click on the unallocated storage to configure the "New Simple Volume"

Follow the "New Simple Volume" Wizard until Finish

A brand new Disk named G with 32G storage space has been successfully added to the new Virtual Machine.

In conclusion, with this step-by-step guide, I have officially added a massive 32GB Data Disk to my brand-new virtual machine, setting the stage for limitless scalability and performance.

Set up a password-protected Linux Virtual Machine in Azure; Step-by-step guide.

Awoyemi Samuel Ola — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 06:40:26 +0000

"Hey there, tech enthusiasts! Get ready to dive into our super cool project where we're diving into the world of cloud magic.

We'll be spilling the beans on how we're using Azure to whip up virtual machines like it's nobody's business.

So, grab your virtual hard hats, and let's get this digital party started!"

So, today we want to consider how to spin up a supper cool Linux Virtual machine in minutes through the steps below:

Step 1: Click Create a Resource

Step 2: Click Create a Virtual Machine

Step 3: Create a Resource Group

Step 4: Name the Virtual machine and select "Ubuntu Server 20.04 LTS x64 Gen2" after selecting other parameters.

Step 5: Select the size, check the password box, and Create the Administrator's account.

Step 6: Configure the inbound ports rule

Step 7: Click next to configure the Virtual machine "Disks".

Leave everything in default in "disks" as seen in the screenshot.

Step 8: To configure the network interface, click on "basic" under the NIC network security group and "allow selected ports" under Public inbound ports.

Step 9: Click on Management and leave it as default.

To configure Monitoring, Click on "enable with managed storage account" in Boot Diagnostics.

Step 10: Click on "Tag" to create an identification for the Virtual Machine.

Step 11: After clicking on review and create, wait to see "Validation passed"

Step 12: Click "Create"

Step 13: Once deployment is complete, click on "Go to resource"

Step 14: Click on "Connect" to connect the Virtual machine

Step 15: Select Native SSH

Step 17: Copy the SSH command

Step 18: Connect the Virtual machine by writing the SSH command lines on Powershell

a. On the Windows search, search for Powershell
b. Open Powershell as an Administrator
c. Execute the az login command: az login

Step 19: Execute the "SSH Command line"

Step 20: Next up - type Yes and supply the administrator password. The password seems not to appear, no worries, it is for security purposes. Just press enter and the Virtual machine will be connected as seen in the screenshot.

As you wrap up this journey by deploying a Linux virtual machine, you've unlocked digital possibilities.

Armed with the step-by-step guide, you're now equipped to harness the power of cloud technology and create your own virtual environments.

Remember, every click, every command you've learned here paves the way for innovation, efficiency, and limitless exploration in the digital landscape.

So go forth, experiment, and let your virtual machine adventures inspire your tech-driven dreams!

*The Clouds is no longer cloudy, so anyone can run on the Cloud *

Creating a Windows Virtual Machine in Azure: Step-by-Step Guide

Awoyemi Samuel Ola — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 19:29:41 +0000

What is a Virtual Machine?

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that runs an operating system and applications. It operates within a host system and allows multiple VMs to run on a single physical machine, enabling efficient resource utilization and isolation for various tasks and environments.

On the Azure Portal at www.portal.azure.com

Step 1: Search for Virtual Machine

Step 2: Click Virtual machine

Step 3: Click Create

Step 4: Click Azure Virtual machine

Step5:Create a new Resource Group for the Virtual Machine.

A resource group in Azure is a logical container that holds related Azure resources, such as virtual machines, storage accounts, and networking components. It helps in organizing, managing, and monitoring resources collectively within a project or application.

For better understanding, use a school setting to illustrate Azure, Resource group, and Virtual machine; In the school (Azure), classrooms are resource groups, each holding subject-related items. A student's desk symbolizes a virtual machine where various tasks are done by the students.

Step 6: Assign a preferred name to the Resource Group

Step 7: Assign a preferred name to the Virtual machine

Step 8: Select a preferred Region for the Virtual Machine.

An Azure region is a geographic area containing multiple data centers that host Microsoft Azure cloud services, enabling efficient and reliable global access to computing resources and data storage.

Think of a school campus as an Azure region, with multiple buildings representing data centers. Within each building (data center), there are classrooms symbolizing resource groups, where related subjects' materials are kept together.

Inside a classroom (resource group), you have desks with computers like virtual machines. These virtual machines are like students' personal workstations, allowing them to perform tasks without needing physical computers. Just as the school campus spans a large area, an Azure region covers a geographic area to offer services globally.

Microsoft Azure has over 60 regions worldwide.

Step 9: Deploy the Virtual machine in an Availability Zone.

An Azure availability zone is a physically separate data center within an Azure region, providing fault tolerance by ensuring applications remain available and resilient to failures within a region.

Imagine a university as Azure, with buildings as regions. Each building houses classrooms as availability zones. The campus represents a large-scale system, Azure, with classrooms safeguarding against failures like availability zones in data centers.

Step 10: Under images, select the images draw-down box

Step 11: Under images, select the Windows Server 2019 Datacenter x64 Gen2

Step 12: Create the Administrator Account; with the username and password.

Step 13: Configure the inbound Port rules. Click on Allow select port under Public inbound ports.

In Azure, checking "Allow inbound port" under public inbound ports means that incoming network traffic to the specified port on a virtual machine (VM) or resource will be permitted. This setting allows external connections to reach the resource through the specified port, potentially exposing it to the internet. It's crucial to configure this carefully to ensure security by only allowing necessary and safe connections.

Step 14: Inbound port must be specified. Select the draw-down on the inbound ports box.

Step 15: Check the RDP(3389) and HTTP(80)

What are the implications of checking RDP and HTTP while spinning off a Virtual Machine?

Checking the ** RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) port (3389)** and the ** HTTP port (80)** on the inbound settings of an Azure virtual machine has the following implications:

RDP (Port 3389): Enabling RDP allows remote access to the virtual machine. This is useful for administrators to manage and configure the virtual machine. However, it also presents a security risk if not properly secured. Unauthorized users could attempt to gain access to the virtual machine if security measures are not in place, potentially leading to data breaches or malicious activities.

HTTP (Port 80): Enabling port 80 allows incoming web traffic, commonly used for serving websites or web applications. It's crucial to ensure the hosted application is properly secured against common web vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS) or SQL injection, as well as data breaches or unauthorized access.

When enabling these ports, implement the following security practices:

Strong Credentials: Use strong, complex passwords or consider using SSH keys for remote access.
Network Security Groups (NSGs): Configure NSGs to restrict access to only necessary IP addresses or ranges.
Firewalls: Set up firewalls on the virtual machine itself to allow only authorized IPs.
Regular Updates: Keep the virtual machine's operating system and applications updated with security patches.
HTTPS (for HTTP): If hosting a website, consider using HTTPS (port 443) to encrypt traffic and ensure data privacy.
Monitor Logs: Regularly monitor logs for any unusual activity.

It is very important to always prioritize security when exposing services to the internet, and consider using Azure services like Azure Bastion or VPNs for secure remote access._

Step 16: Click on "Monitoring" and disable boot diagnostics.

Incorporating monitoring during virtual machine creation establishes a proactive approach to maintenance, security, and performance, contributing to a more reliable and optimized IT environment.

Step 17: Disable the boot Diagnostics

Disabling boot diagnostics, a feature that captures screenshots and logs during a virtual machine's boot process, might be necessary in specific situations:

Security: Boot diagnostics can potentially capture sensitive information during the boot process, posing security risks if not managed properly.

Privacy: Sensitive data could be inadvertently captured in screenshots or logs, violating privacy regulations and policies.

Resource Usage: Enabling boot diagnostics consumes storage space and processing resources, impacting performance and incurring unnecessary costs.

Debugging: In some scenarios, boot diagnostics might not be needed for troubleshooting or debugging, making it redundant.

Customization: Boot diagnostics may interfere with custom boot processes or scripts that need to run without external interference.

Temporary Scenarios: For temporary instances or testing environments, boot diagnostics might not provide significant value.

Step 18: Click on Review and Create

Step 19: After Validation passed, click on Create to deploy the Virtual machine

Step 20: After deployment, click on Go to resource

Step 21: Click on the "Connect" function.

In the context of Azure or virtual machines, the "Connect" function usually refers to connecting to a virtual machine (VM) for remote management and administration.

This can be achieved using technologies like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) for Windows VMs or SSH (Secure Shell) for Linux VMs.

The purpose of the "Connect" function is to provide users with a way to access and manage their virtual machines remotely.

This is particularly useful when you need to perform tasks on a VM without being physically present at the machine.

By utilizing the "Connect" feature, you can effectively manage and maintain your virtual machines in a convenient and secure manner.

Step 22: Download Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect the
virtual machine (VM) for remote management and administration.

Step 23: Save the Downloaded RDP file on the local PC

Step 24: Click on the RDP file and input the Administrator's Account details

Step 25: Finally Launch the Virtual machine

Congratulations on the successful launch of your virtual machine!

With this accomplishment, you've unlocked new possibilities for scalability, flexibility, and efficiency in your operations. Remember to continuously monitor, secure, and optimize your VM to ensure it performs at its best. Embrace the power of technology to drive your goals forward.

Best of luck on your journey ahead!

Just Sharing the little I knew with the co-greenhorns on Cloud!