DEV Community: Alioke Emmanuel Nzubechukwu

🚀 Getting Started with Microsoft Azure: A Beginner's Practical Guide with VM, VNet, Storage & More!

Alioke Emmanuel Nzubechukwu — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:36:30 +0000

Hands-on, beginner-friendly, and fun! This guide walks you through setting up your first resource group, virtual network, virtual machine, and storage account on Azure — with real screenshots from my own project lab. If you're new to cloud computing or Azure, this is the perfect place to start!

🧠 Why This Project?

When learning Azure, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But once you roll up your sleeves and actually create things — boom! The fog clears.

That’s why I embarked on this hands-on Azure lab where I:

-Created a resource group to keep things organized ✅

-Set up a virtual network (VNet) with a subnet ✅

-Deployed a virtual machine (VM) running Ubuntu ✅

-Created a storage account for future data usage ✅

And guess what? I documented everything with screenshots for YOU.

🔧 Prerequisites: Get Your Azure Wings
👨‍💻 Need an Azure Account?
Start here for a free trial (yes, you get ₦ free credits!).

🌐 Step 1: Create a Resource Group
A resource group is like a folder to keep all your Azure resources neat and easy to delete later.

🔎 In the Azure Portal:

1.Search for Resource groups

2.Click Create

3.Name it: guided-project-rg

4.Leave the region as default

5.Click Review + Create, then Create

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t touch the NetworkWatcherRG group if it was already there — it’s Azure’s own thing.

🛠️ Step 2: Create a Virtual Network (VNet)
VNet helps your Azure resources talk to each other securely.

1.Search for Virtual networks

2.Click Create

3.Use the same resource group (guided-project-rg)
**
4.Name it: guided-project-vnet**

5.Accept the default subnet

6.Click Review + Create, then Create

💻 Step 3: Deploy a Virtual Machine (VM)
Let’s spin up a Linux server!

Search Virtual Machines

Click** Create > Virtual machine**

Ensure the following are set accordingly:

-Resource Group: guided-project-rg

-Name: guided-project-vm

-Image: Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS (x64 Gen2)

-Authentication Type: Password

-Username: guided-project-admin

-Set a strong password 🔐

-Leave other settings as-is

-Click Review + Create, then Create

⏳ Wait for deployment…

💸 Don’t worry — Azure will show you the estimated cost per hour before you launch the VM.

📦 Step 4: Create a Storage Account
Need to store logs, blobs, or backups? This is your go-to.

Search Storage accounts

Click Create

Resource Group: guided-project-rg

Give it a globally unique name like myguidedproject123

Click Review + Create, then Create

🥳 That’s It — You’ve Deployed 4 Key Azure Resources!
✅ Resource Group

✅ Virtual Network (with Subnet)

✅ Ubuntu Virtual Machine

✅ Storage Account

You’ve basically laid the foundation of a real-world cloud infrastructure!

🧼 Clean Up Tip
When you're done exploring:

-Go to Resource groups

-Select guided-project-rg

-Hit Delete Resource Group

Be sure not to delete anything that was already in your Azure before the project!

🤔 Final Thoughts
Starting with Azure doesn't have to be intimidating. By breaking it down into small, practical steps and seeing your deployments succeed, you gain confidence — and real skills.

I’ll keep posting more hands-on Azure walkthroughs. Make sure to follow for updates!

📌 Connect With Me
Let’s grow in tech together. Drop your thoughts, questions, or your own screenshots in the comments!

Control storage access

Alioke Emmanuel Nzubechukwu — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:47:51 +0000

What is Storage Access:

Storage access refers to the ability to read, write, modify, or delete data stored in a computer system or cloud environment. This could involve files, databases, media, or any other type of digital content. In simpler terms, it's how users, applications, or systems interact with stored data.

Haven understood what Storage Access is,we now have a clear picture of why it should be controlled.

Here are steps in creating Control Storage Access 👇

Create a storage container

Login to Microsoft Azure at https://portal.azure.com
Select storage accounts under services.
Select the storage account you created in the Prepare exercise.

Select and Add container

Container Name is storage-container and then select create

Upload a file to the storage container
Click on the container you just created and select upload

Once the file is ready for upload, select Upload.

Change the access tier

Select the file you just uploaded and Select Change tier.

Select** cold** and save

You’ve successfully uploaded a storage blob and changed the access tier from Hot to Cold. Now, let's work with file shares.

Create a file share

From the Azure portal,Select storage accounts under services.

Select your** storage account** . (Note: it should be associated with the resource group guided-project-rg you created.)

On the storage account blade, under the Data storage submenu, select File shares and Select + File share.

On the Basics tab, in the name field enter file-share.

On the Backup tab, uncheck Enable backup.

Select Review + create.
Select Create.
Once the file share is created, select Upload.
Upload the same file you uploaded to the blob storage or a different file.
Select Home to return to the Azure portal home page.

we will be figuring one way to control access to the files that have been uploaded.

Create a shared access signature token

From the Azure portal home page, enter and Select storage accounts under services.

Select the storage account you created in the Prepare exercise.
On the storage account blade, select Storage browser.
Expand Blob containers.

Select the ellipses (three dots) on the end of the line for the image you uploaded.

Select Generate SAS.

Note: When you generate a shared access signature, you set the duration. Once the duration is over, the link stops working. The **Start automatically populates with the current date and time.

Set Signing method to Account key.

Set Signing key to Key 1.
Tip: There are two signing keys available. You can choose either one, or create SAS tokens with different durations.

Set Stored access policy to None.
Set Permissions to** Read*.
Enter a custom **start and expiry time* or leave the defaults.

Set Signing method to Account key.
Set Signing key to Key 1.
Tip: There are two signing keys available. You can choose either one, or create SAS tokens with different durations.

Set Stored access policy to None.
Set Permissions to** Read*.
Enter a custom start and expiry time or leave the **defaults.
Set **Allowed protocols* to HTTPS only.
Select Generate SAS token and URI.

Copy the Blob SAS URL and paste it in another window or tab of your browser. It should display the image you uploaded. Keep this tab or window open.

Rotate access keys

From the Azure portal home page, in the search box, enter storage accounts.
Select storage accounts under services.
Select the storage account you created in the Prepare exercise.
Expand the Security + networking submenu.
Select Access keys.

For Key 1, select Rotate key.
Read and then acknowledge the warning about regenerating the access key by selecting Yes.

Once you see the success message for rotating the access key, go back to the window or tab you used to check the SAS token and refresh the page. You should receive an authentication failed error.

We have come to the end of the process, remember to like, Comment and share!

How to Manage virtual machines

Alioke Emmanuel Nzubechukwu — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:34:21 +0000

Let's get our hands deity with the step-by-step guide on how to manage virtual machines

Move the virtual machine network to the new subnet

Login to Microsoft Azure at https://portal.azure.com
From the Azure portal home page, in the search box, enter virtual machines.
Select virtual machines under services.
Select the guided-project-vm virtual machine.

If the virtual machine is running, select** Stop** and Wait for the Status field to update and show Stopped (deallocated).

Select the Network interface / IP configuration hyperlink for the VM.

Update the Subnet to ftpSubnet and Select Apply.

Thats all, select home to return to the home page, we have successfully migrated the VM from one subnet to another

Vertically scale the virtual machine

-Search and select virtual machines under services.
Select the guided-project-vm virtual machine.
Locate the Availability + scale submenu and select** Size.**

Select a new VM size and resize

Select home, With the VM scaled up to a more robust processor, it can now handle a new role.

Attach data disks to a virtual machine

Select virtual machines under services.
Select the guided-project-vm virtual machine.
Locate the settings submenu and select Disks.

Select Create and attach a new disk.
Leave LUN as default.
Enter ftp-data-disk for the Disk name.
Leave the Storage type as default.
Enter 20 for the Size.
Select Apply to create the new storage disk and attach the disk to the machine.

With this, the VM has enough space to handle more uploads. Select Home.

Lastly, we are going to Configure automatic shutdown on a virtual machine to save cost

From the Azure portal home page,Select virtual machines **under services.
Select the **guided-project-vm virtual machine.
Under the Operations submenu, select Auto-shutdown.
In order to let late uploads finish, set the Scheduled shutdown to 7:15:00 PM.
Select Save.

We have successfully completed the task on How to Manage virtual machines. Kindly like, comment and share.

How to Update an Azure virtual network

Alioke Emmanuel Nzubechukwu — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:03:53 +0000

Here we will be learning about how to update an Azure Virtual Machine.
1,Create a new subnet on an existing virtual network (vNet)

Step 1: Login to Microsoft Azure at https://portal.azure.com

Step 2: From the Azure portal home page, in the search box, enter virtual networks.

Step 3: Select virtual networks under services.

Step 4: Select the guided-project-vnet virtual network.

Step 5: From the guided-project-vnet blade, under settings, *select Subnets.
*

Step 6: select + Subnet, to add a subnet

Step 7: For Subnet purpose leave it as Default.For Name enter: ftpSubnet. then leave the rest of the settings and select Add.

Configure a Network security group to Increase security

Step 1: From the Azure portal home page, in the search box, enter virtual networks.Select virtual networks under services and select Network security groups. Select +create

Step 2: Ensure the subscription is correct.
Select the guided-project-rg resource group.
Enter ftpNSG for the network security group name.
Select Review + create.

Click create

Lastly, Wait for the screen to refresh and display Your deployment is complete.
Select Go to resource.

Create an inbound security rule

Under settings, select Inbound security rules.
Select + Add.
Change the Destination port ranges from 8080 to 22.
Select TCP for the protocol.
Set the name to** ftpInbound*.
Select* Add.**
Select Home to return to the Azure portal home page.

Associate a network security group to a subnet

From the Azure portal home page, in the search box, enter virtual networks.
Select virtual networks under services.
Select the guided-project-vnet virtual network.
Under settings, select Subnets.
Select the ftpSubnet you created.
On the Edit subnet page, under the Security section heading, update the Network security group field to ftpNSG.
Select Save.

If you have followed up to this point, well-done! you have just learnt how to Update an Azure virtual network.
See you on the next article, kindly like, comment and share!

How to provide storage for public website

Alioke Emmanuel Nzubechukwu — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 14:09:51 +0000

In this article we will be learning how to provide storage for public website
Before we kick off, lets get to know these 2 key words: Storage and Public website
Storage:Azure Storage is a cloud storage solution that allows you to store different types of data — such as files, blobs (binary large objects), queues, tables, and disks — in a secure and scalable way, accessible over the internet.
Public website:A public website is one that anyone can access via the internet—no login, password, or permission required. Think of it as a digital front door that’s always open. 💡
Now having understood these keywords, we will go through the step by step learning on how to provide storage for public website.

Create a storage account with high availability.

1,Create a storage account to support the public website.

-In the portal, search for and select Storage accounts and select +create

For resource group select new. Give your resource group a name and select OK.

Set the Storage account name to publicwebsite. Make sure the storage account name is unique by adding an identifier.
Take the defaults for other settings.
Select Review and then Create.
Wait for the storage account to deploy, and then select **Go to resource.**

2,This storage requires high availability if there’s a regional outage. Additionally, enable read access to the secondary region
In the storage account, in the Data management section, select the Redundancy blade.
Also ensure Read-access Geo-redundant storage is selected.
Review the primary and secondary location information.

3,Information on the public website should be accessible without requiring customers to login
In the storage account, in the Settings section, select the Configuration blade.
Ensure the Allow blob anonymous access setting is Enabled.
Be sure to Save your changes.

Now we have completed the first part which is creating a storage account with high availability, Now we will now Create a blob storage container with anonymous read access
Follow the steps below!
1,In your storage account, in the Data storage section, select** the Containers blade*,Select *+ Container.**
Ensure the Name of the container is** public** and Select Create.

Remember,Customers should be able to view the images without being authenticated. Configure anonymous read access for the public container blobs
Go and Select your** public container*,On the Overview blade, select **Change access level*.
Ensure the Public access level is Blob (anonymous read access for blobs only) and Select OK.

Now we can Practice uploading files and testing access.

For testing, upload a file to the public container. The type of file doesn’t matter. A small image or text file is a good choice.
Ensure you are viewing your container.
Select Upload.
Browse to files and select a file of your choice.
Select Upload.
Close the upload window, Refresh the page and ensure your file was uploaded.

Determine the URL for your uploaded file. Open a browser and test the URL.
Select your uploaded file.
On the Overview tab, copy the URL.
Paste the URL into a new browser tab.
If you have uploaded an image file it will display in the browser. Other file types should be downloaded.

Configure soft delete
It’s important that the website documents can be restored if they’re deleted
Go to the Overview blade of the storage account.
On the Properties page, locate the Blob service section.
Select the Blob soft delete setting.
Ensure the Enable soft delete for blobs is checked.
Change the Keep deleted blobs for [in days setting is** 21*].
Notice you can also Enable soft delete for containers.
Don’t forget to **Save* your changes.

If something gets deleted, you need to practice using soft delete to restore the files.
Navigate to your container where you uploaded a file.
Select the file you uploaded and then select Delete.
Select** OK to confirm deleting the file.
On the container Overview page, toggle the slider Show deleted blobs. This toggle is to the right of the search box.
Select your **deleted file, and use the ellipses on the far right, to Undelete **the file.
Refresh the container and confirm the file has been **restored.

Configure blob versioning
It’s important to keep track of the different website product document versions.
Go to the Overview blade of the storage account.
In the Properties section, locate the Blob service section.
Select the Versioning setting.
Ensure the Enable versioning for blobs checkbox is checked.
Notice your options to keep all versions or delete versions after.
Don’t forget to Save your changes.

Lastly,As you have time experiment with restoring previous blob versions.
Upload another version of your container file. This overwrites your existing file.
Your previous file version is listed on Show deleted blobs page.

If you have followed these process to the end, you have learnt how to provide storage for public website
Follow for more intresting article on cloud computing. Also like comment and share.

How to provide storage for the IT department testing and training

Alioke Emmanuel Nzubechukwu — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 14:46:48 +0000

On this ariticl, am going to be explaining a step-by-step process on how to provide storage for the IT department testing and training.

1, Create and deploy a resource group to hold all your project resources

-Firstly, create a resource group to hold all project resources and to do this, you have to login to your Azure portal using your email and click next.

-After you must have signed into your Azure portal, select +Create

-Give the resource group a name, ensure the name is unique eg storagerg

Now the next step is to select a region and ensure you can remember the region as you will be using it throughout the project

After that, Select Review and create to validate the resource group

Select Create to deploy the resource group

Successfully created

2, Create and deploy a storage account to support testing and training

In the Azure portal, search for and select Storage accounts

-Select + Create.

On the Basics tab, select your Resource group

-Provide a Storage account name. The storage account name must be unique in Azure. Set the performance to standard and lastly, review and create

Wait for deployment to complete then go to resource

Once deployment is complete, click on 'go to resources'

2, Configure simple settings in the storage account.
-The data in this storage account doesn’t require high availability or durability
In your storage account, in the Data management section, select the Redundancy blade.
Select** Locally-redundant storage (LRS) in the Redundancy drop-down and **save

The storage account should only accept requests from secure connections.In the Settings section, select the Configuration blade and enable Secure transfer required

Developers would like the storage account to use at least TLS version 1.2
Go to Settings section, select the Configuration blade.
Ensure the Minimal TLS version is set to Version 1.2.

Until the storage is needed again, disable requests to the storage account
In the Settings section, select the Configuration blade.
Ensure Allow storage account key access is Disabled and then** save**.

Ensure the storage account allows public access from all networks
In the Security + networking section, select the Networking blade.
Ensure Public network access is set to Enabled from all networks and save.

If you have followed this steps, then you have successfully learnt how to provide storage for the IT department testing and training.

How to create a virtual machine in Azure

Alioke Emmanuel Nzubechukwu — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:57:47 +0000

What is a Virtual Machine

Creating a virtual machine (VM) in Microsoft Azure is a fundamental skill for developers, IT professionals, and cloud enthusiasts. Whether you're setting up a development environment, deploying an application, or exploring cloud computing, Azure VMs provide a flexible and scalable solution. In this article, we'll walk through the step-by-step process of creating a virtual machine in Azure using the Azure Portal.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

An active Azure account. You can sign up for a free trial if you don’t have one.
Basic understanding of cloud computing concepts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Virtual Machine

Step 1: Sign in to the Azure Portal

Go to https://portal.azure.com and sign in with your Azure credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to Virtual Machines

In the left-hand navigation pane, click on "Virtual Machines". If it’s not visible, use the search bar at the top to search for “Virtual Machines.”

Step 3: Click on "Create"

Click the "+ Create" button and select "Azure virtual machine".

Step 4: Configure the Basics

On the "Basics" tab, fill in the required information:

Subscription: Choose the appropriate subscription.
Resource group: Select an existing resource group or create a new one.
Virtual machine name: Give your VM a unique name.
Region: Choose the region closest to your users.
Availability options: Select the availability zone or availability set based on your need.
Image: Choose the OS image (e.g., Windows Server, Ubuntu).
Size: Click on “Change size” to select the desired VM size.
Administrator account: Enter username and password or SSH public key.
Inbound port rules: Allow selected ports (e.g., SSH for Linux, RDP for Windows).

Step 5: Disks Configuration

Choose the OS disk type:

Standard HDD (cost-effective)
Standard SSD (better performance)
Premium SSD (best performance)

Optionally, add data disks.

Step 6: Networking

Under the Networking tab:

Configure the Virtual Network or create a new one.
Set up a Subnet.
Assign a Public IP if you want to connect to the VM from the internet.
Configure NIC network security group (NSG) to manage traffic rules.

Step 7: Management, Monitoring, and Advanced Settings

Enable Boot diagnostics to help troubleshoot startup issues.
Choose Monitoring options like enabling Azure Monitor and Log Analytics.
Configure auto-shutdown and backup if needed.

Step 8: Review + Create

After completing all configurations, click on "Review + create".

Azure will validate your settings. If everything is correct, click "Create" to deploy the virtual machine.

Step 9: Access Your Virtual Machine

Once deployment is complete:

For Windows VMs, connect using Remote Desktop (RDP).
For Linux VMs, connect using SSH.

Click on the "Connect" button on the VM overview page and follow the connection instructions.

Final Thoughts

Creating a virtual machine in Azure is straightforward but powerful. It’s your gateway to running applications, hosting services, or practicing configurations in the cloud. As you get more comfortable, explore using Azure CLI or ARM templates for automation.

Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments. Happy building in the cloud! ☁️

Author: Alioke Emmanuel N.

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