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Setting Up a Linux Virtual Machine on Azure

Creating a Linux virtual machine in Microsoft Azure can be a straightforward process, provided you follow the necessary steps. This guide outlines the process, from logging into your Azure portal to connecting to your newly created virtual machine via SSH.

Accessing the Azure Portal

First, you need to log into the Azure portal. Upon accessing the portal, you will see various options listed on the menu. You can either navigate to the “Virtual Machines” option directly or use the search feature to find it.

Creating a New Linux Virtual Machine

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Once you've accessed the Virtual Machines section, click on the option to create a new virtual machine. This will redirect you to a new page where you'll be required to configure several settings for your VM.

Subscription and Resource Group

Start by selecting your desired subscription and resource group. You can opt for an existing resource group you’ve created or create a new one at this point.

Naming Your Virtual Machine

After configuring the subscription and resource group, you need to name your virtual machine. For instance, you could name it “Ubuntu.” It’s advisable to keep the name in lowercase for easier management.

Choosing the Region and Availability Zone

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Next, you should choose a region for your VM. Sticking to a recommended region can improve setup speed and resource availability. You’ll also need to select an availability zone, which can typically be one of the options labeled 1, 2, or 3.

Setting Security Options

Security is another crucial aspect to configure. Here you can choose between standard and basic security settings. As this setup is for testing rather than production, using the basic options may suffice. Additionally, you have the option to consider advanced configurations such as confidential or trusted launch virtual machines.

Cost Considerations

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Azure offers spot pricing, where you can avail of discounted rates for your virtual machine. Alternatively, the pay-as-you-go model might be beneficial, especially if you’re on a free trial plan.

Selecting the Size of the VM

When it comes to sizing your VM, Azure recommends a minimum of 2 CPUs and 8 GB of memory. However, free tier offerings allow for a single vCPU and 1 GB of memory, which may be adequate for basic testing.

Authentication Options

For authentication, you can choose between SSH keys or passwords. If you opt for SSH, you’ll need to set up a username (default is often set to “azureuser”) and generate a new SSH key pair or use an existing one. Make sure you download the private key file, as it's essential for accessing your VM.

Configuring Inbound Ports

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For inbound connections, you’ll want to permit SSH connections to your virtual machine. If necessary, you can also enable HTTPS connections. Be mindful that allowing all IP addresses to access your VM through these ports needs careful consideration regarding security.

Reviewing and Creating the VM

After configuring all necessary options, you can review your choices and create the virtual machine. Keep an eye out for any validation errors which may arise from missing or incorrect information. If all checks out, you can proceed and finalize the VM creation.

Downloading Key Files

As part of the setup process, ensure you download your SSH key pairs. These keys will be crucial for establishing a secure SSH connection further down the line.

Connecting to Your Virtual Machine

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Once your deployment is complete, you’ll see a published IP address listed in the Azure portal.

Using Putty to Connect

To connect to your newly created VM, you can use a terminal application such as Putty. Here’s a brief overview of how:

1. Open Putty and enter the public IP address from Azure.

2. Select the SSH protocol and navigate to the SSH authentication settings to specify your private key file, which you saved earlier as a .ppk file.

3. Enter the username as specified earlier (typically "azureuser").

4. Save your session and then initiate the connection.

Part 7/7:

If all configurations were properly set, you should be able to connect to your Ubuntu virtual machine successfully. To verify the connection, run a command like lsb_release -a, which will show you the version of Ubuntu running.

Conclusion

In summary, setting up a Linux virtual machine in Azure involves several steps, including configuring the VM’s settings, managing security, and ensuring you have the correct authentication method. By following the above guide, you can quickly create an Ubuntu instance and connect to it using SSH, paving the way for your testing or development needs.