Exercise 01: Configure an Azure Linux Virtual Machine

Introduction

In this exercise, I learned how to create a Linux-based virtual machine (VM) in Azure, connect to it using SSH, and install the Nginx web server. This exercise helped me gain hands-on experience with the creation and management of Linux VMs, as well as performing basic administrative tasks such as installing OS updates and setting up a web server.

Scenario

For this task, I was tasked with setting up a web server for a new eCommerce website. This required provisioning a Linux VM, using SSH to securely connect to it, and then installing the Nginx web server. Lastly, I needed to ensure that the virtual machine was up-to-date and properly configured to serve web content.

Skills Practiced:

• Using the Azure portal to create a Linux virtual machine.
• Connecting to the virtual machine via SSH.
• Installing the Nginx web service on the VM.
• Running OS updates on the Linux VM.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Use the Azure Portal to Create a Virtual Machine

1️⃣ Sign in to the Azure Portal

First, I signed into the Azure portal here.

2️⃣ Create a Virtual Machine

In the Azure portal, I searched for "Virtual Machines" and selected Create. I filled out the Basics tab as follows:

3️⃣ Configure Disks, Networking, and Management

• For disks, I selected Premium SSD (30 GiB default).
• For Networking, I chose the default Virtual Network (VNet) and ensured Public IP was selected.
• I disabled auto-shutdown under Management.

4️⃣ Review and Create

After reviewing the settings, I clicked Create and waited for the deployment to complete. Once completed, I clicked on Go to Resource to see the details of my newly created VM.

Step 2: Connect to the Virtual Machine and Install OS Updates

1️⃣ Configure Network Security Group (NSG) to Allow SSH

Before I could connect via SSH, I needed to configure port 22 (SSH) to allow access. I did this by navigating to the Network settings and adding a new Inbound port rule for SSH.

2️⃣ Connect Using SSH

To connect to the VM, I used SSH with the key I generated earlier. Here's how I connected from my Mac terminal:

chmod 400 ~/Downloads/VM1_key.pem
   ssh -i ~/Downloads/VM1_key.pem adminuser@

I replaced with the actual IP address of my VM from the Overview page in Azure.

3️⃣ Update the Operating System

Once connected to the VM, I updated the OS by running these commands:

sudo apt update
   sudo apt upgrade

I confirmed the installation by typing 'Y' when prompted.

Step 3: Install the Nginx Web Service and Test

1️⃣ Install Nginx

I installed the Nginx web server with the following command:

sudo apt install nginx

When prompted, I typed 'Y' to continue with the installation.

2️⃣ Start Nginx

I started the Nginx service using the command:

sudo systemctl start nginx

3️⃣ Configure Nginx to Launch on Boot

I made Nginx start automatically whenever the VM reboots by running:

sudo systemctl enable nginx

4️⃣ Check Nginx Status

I verified that the Nginx service was running with the command:

service nginx status

5️⃣ Test Nginx

To test Nginx, I opened a browser and navigated to http://. I should see the default Nginx welcome page.

Challenges Encountered and Resolved

• Permission Issues with SSH Key: When I tried to SSH into the VM, I encountered the error: "Permission denied (publickey)." This was caused by incorrect file permissions for the SSH key. I fixed this by running the following command on my Mac:

chmod 400 ~/Downloads/VM1_key.pem

This ensured that the key was readable only by me, allowing SSH to work.

• SSH Connection Issues in Azure Cloud Shell: I initially attempted to connect via Azure Cloud Shell, but ran into issues because Cloud Shell cannot access local private keys. To resolve this, I switched to my Mac's Terminal and connected using the appropriate key file.

Key Learnings

1️⃣ Azure Virtual Machines

Azure VMs are on-demand scalable computing resources. I learned how to create and configure a Linux-based virtual machine using the Azure portal, specifying details such as size, image, and authentication method.

2️⃣ SSH Access to Linux VMs

SSH is a secure method to connect to Linux VMs in Azure. I successfully configured the VM to allow SSH access, created a new SSH key, and connected to the VM from my local machine.

3️⃣ Managing the VM with OS Updates

I installed essential OS updates to keep the system secure and up-to-date. This is a crucial task for maintaining the health of the virtual machine.

4️⃣ Web Server Deployment

I learned how to install the Nginx web server and configured it to start automatically when the VM boots up. This is an essential skill for setting up web applications in a production environment.

Conclusion

This exercise provided me with practical experience in deploying and managing a Linux-based virtual machine in Azure. I gained hands-on skills in using SSH to securely connect to the VM, updating the operating system, and setting up the Nginx web server to serve content.

Through this, I now have a solid understanding of provisioning, managing, and securing a Linux VM in Azure, a key skill for deploying web applications in the cloud.

🚀 Stay tuned for more as I continue my learning journey with Azure!