Steps to Launch a Windows VM, Connect to the VM, and Deploy a Web Server on Azure
1. Launching a Windows VM on Azure
1. Log in to the Azure Portal: Go to Azure Portal and log in with my account.
2. Create a Resource: Click the “+ Create a resource” button at the top of the screen.
3. Select Virtual Machine: Type “Virtual Machine” in the search bar and select “Virtual Machine.”
4. Enter Basic Settings:
• Subscription: Select my Azure subscription.
• Resource Group: Create a new resource group or select an existing one.
• VM Name: Enter the name of the virtual machine.
• Region: Choose the region where you want to deploy the VM.
• Image: Select “Windows Server” (e.g., Windows Server 2019 Datacenter).
• Size: Choose the VM size, e.g., Standard D2s v3.
• Authentication Type: Select Password and set a username and password.
5. Configure Disks: Use the default settings or adjust as needed.
6. Networking Settings:
• Virtual Network: Select the default virtual network or create a new one.
• Subnet: Use the default subnet.
• Public IP: Assign a public IP address.
• Inbound Port Rules: Allow RDP (port 3389).
7. Review and Create: Review all the settings and click “Review + create,” then click “Create” to deploy the VM.
2. Connecting to the VM Using RDP
1. Check Public IP Address: After the VM is started, check the public IP address from the VM’s overview page in the Azure portal.
2. Download RDP File: Click the “Connect” button on the VM overview page and download the RDP file.
3. Run RDP App: Run the downloaded RDP file to start the RDP application.
4. Log in: When the RDP window appears, enter the username and password you set earlier and click “Connect.”
3. Deploying a Web Server via Server Manager
1. Open Server Manager: Once logged into the VM, Server Manager will open automatically. If not, open it from the Start menu.
2. Add Roles and Features: In Server Manager, click “Manage” and select “Add Roles and Features.”
3. Start the Wizard: On the “Before you begin” page, click “Next.”
4. Installation Type: Select “Role-based or feature-based installation” and click “Next.”
5. Server Selection: Ensure the current server is selected and click “Next.”
6. Select Server Roles: Choose “Web Server (IIS)” and, if prompted, click “Add Features.” Then click “Next.”
7. Features: Leave the default settings and click “Next.”
8. Web Server Role Services: Choose the necessary web server role services. You can leave the default settings and click “Next.”
9. Confirm Installation: Review the installation summary and click “Install.” Wait for the installation to complete.
10. Verify the Web Server: Once installed, click “Tools” in Server Manager and select “Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager” to verify that the web server is running.
4. Testing the Web Server
1. Test Locally: Open a web browser and enter http://localhost to check if the default IIS web page is displayed.
2. Test Remotely: Use the public IP address of the VM by entering http://<Public IP> in the browser to verify that the web page loads correctly.
This completes the process of launching a Windows VM on Azure, connecting to it via RDP, and deploying a web server using Server Manager.
