Making a customized virtual machine (VM) image in Microsoft Azure permits you to standardize configurations and streamline deployment across your organization. Instead of repeatedly putting in software and making use of configurations on new VMs, you can capture a base image once and use it as a template. This step-by-step guide walks through the process of building and capturing a custom Azure VM image.
Step 1: Plan the Custom Image
Before you start, define the purpose of your image. Consider what applications, settings, or configurations need to be included. For example, you might want an image with preinstalled software packages, company security policies, or particular development tools. Proper planning ensures your image will be reusable and constant across deployments.
Step 2: Create a Virtual Machine in Azure
Sign in to the Azure Portal.
Navigate to Virtual Machines and click + Create > Azure virtual machine.
Select your subscription, resource group, and enter a VM name.
Select the region, availability options, and an image to start with (corresponding to Windows Server or Ubuntu).
Choose the appropriate VM size.
Configure administrator credentials.
Under Networking, set the virtual network, subnet, and public IP as needed.
Assessment your settings and click Create to deploy the VM.
This VM will serve as the bottom machine the place you put in your customizations.
Step three: Join and Customise the VM
Once the VM is deployed:
For Windows: Use Remote Desktop (RDP) to connect.
For Linux: Use SSH.
Inside the VM, install all required software, apply system updates, configure firewalls, and set policies or scripts. The goal is to completely prepare the environment precisely as you want future VMs to be provisioned.
For instance, it’s possible you’ll set up web servers, application frameworks, monitoring agents, or productivity tools. Once all changes are full, clean up unnecessary files and temporary data so the image stays efficient.
Step 4: Generalize the VM
Before capturing an image, the VM should be “generalized.” This process removes machine-particular information comparable to pc name, security identifiers (SIDs), and log files, making certain that each VM created from the image is unique.
Windows VM:
Connect to the VM.
Open a command prompt as Administrator.
Run:
sysprep.exe
In the System Preparation Tool, choose Enter System Out-of-Box Expertise (OOBE) and check Generalize.
Set Shutdown as the motion and click OK.
The VM will shut down after Sysprep completes.
Linux VM:
Run the next command:
waagent -deprovision+user
Then shut down the VM.
At this point, the VM should not be restarted. Restarting it will break the generalization.
Step 5: Capture the VM as an Image
In the Azure Portal, go to the VM you prepared.
Ensure the VM is in a Stopped (deallocated) state.
Choose Seize from the toolbar.
Provide a name for the new image and select the resource group where it will be saved.
Optionally, check Automatically delete this virtual machine after creating the image to avoid unnecessary costs.
Click Overview + Create.
Azure will create a new image resource that you should use to deploy future VMs.
Step 6: Deploy New VMs from the Custom Image
To create a VM out of your custom image:
Go to Images within the Azure Portal.
Select your image.
Click + Create VM.
Configure the new VM settings as usual.
The VM will be deployed with all your preinstalled software and configurations, saving time and guaranteeing consistency.
Benefits of Customized Images
Standardization: Ensures all VMs meet organizational requirements.
Efficiency: Reduces setup time for new machines.
Scalability: Makes it simple to replicate environments throughout multiple regions or teams.
Security: Permits embedding compliance and security configurations directly into the base image.
By following these steps, you can streamline your Azure environment with reusable, consistent VM images tailored to your needs. Customized images are a strong tool for sustaining efficiency and uniformity throughout development, testing, and production workloads.
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