Azure Virtual Machine Ubuntu: A Comprehensive Setup Guide

Setting up an Azure Virtual Machine with Ubuntu can be a straightforward process. You can create a new virtual machine from the Azure portal, selecting Ubuntu as the operating system.

To begin, you'll need to create a resource group, which is a container that holds related resources for your project. This is a fundamental step in setting up your Azure Virtual Machine.

You can choose from various Ubuntu versions, including Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. Selecting the right version depends on your specific needs and requirements.

To connect to your Azure Virtual Machine running Ubuntu, you'll need to meet some prerequisites. First, you'll need an SSH key pair, which can be created manually if you don't already have one.

You can also let Azure create a key pair during the deployment process if you prefer. To get started, see the instructions on how to create and use an SSH public-private key pair for Linux VMs in Azure.

You'll also need an existing Network Security Group (NSG), which is usually created by default when you set up your VM. If you don't have one, you can create it and attach it manually.

To connect to your VM, you'll need to open the appropriate port, typically SSH uses port 22. You can check if port 22 is open by using the troubleshooter or by manually checking your VM settings.

Here are the necessary steps to ensure you have everything you need to connect to your Azure Virtual Machine:

Make sure to check your VM's status and public IP address to ensure you can connect without any issues. If your VM doesn't have a public IP address, you can associate one with it.

Creating and connecting to an Azure Virtual Machine running Ubuntu is a straightforward process. To start, you'll need to launch a virtual machine on Azure.

To launch a virtual machine, log in to the Azure portal at https://portal.azure.com/, click on Virtual machines, and then click on the Create virtual machine button. You'll need to enter details such as subscription, resource group, virtual machine name, image, size, authentication type, username, and password.

Here's a summary of the required information:

Once you've entered all the required information, click on the Review + create button and then the Create button to start creating the virtual machine.

To connect to your VM, you'll need to open your SSH client of choice. The SSH client command is typically included in Linux, macOS, and Windows.

The SSH key should be in the key.pem format, unless you used CLI or Azure PowerShell to download your keys, in which case they may be in the id_rsa or ED25519 format.

You'll need the public IP address of the VM to initiate the connection. For Linux or Mac users, this involves using the command `sudo ssh AzureUser@vm-ip-address`, replacing vm-ip-address with the public IP address of the virtual machine.

If prompted, type 'yes' to acknowledge any warnings, and then enter the VM password.

For Windows users, using PuTTY seems like a reasonable way to connect to your VM. Simply install the client and connect via your machine's host name.

Here's a step-by-step guide for Linux and Mac users:

Ubuntu Pro is a popular choice among developers and DevOps teams due to its robust security features and compliance tools.

Access to security updates for over 23,000 packages, including popular technologies like Apache Kafka and PostgreSQL, is integrated into system tools like Azure Update Manager and apt.

Security hardening and audit tools, such as CIS, help establish a security baseline across systems and meet the Azure Linux Security Baseline policy.

FIPS 140-2 certified modules and Common Criteria (CC) EAL2 provisioning packages provide an additional layer of security.

Kernel Live patch delivers kernel patches immediately, without the need to reboot, ensuring nonstop security.

Optimized performance with improved boot speed, outstanding runtime performance, and advanced device support make Ubuntu Pro a top choice for developers.

Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS provides 10-year security maintenance until April 2028, giving developers peace of mind.

Here are some key features of Ubuntu Pro:

Ubuntu Pro also offers a consistent experience across platforms, from edge to multicloud, ensuring consistency of CI/CD pipelines and management mechanisms.

Configuring and Managing an Azure Virtual Machine running Ubuntu can be a straightforward process.

To start, you'll need to connect to your virtual machine using SSH, which can be done by using the public IP address of the virtual machine and a username and password.

You can also configure the network settings of your virtual machine, such as assigning a static IP address and configuring the network interface.

To manage your virtual machine, you can use the Azure portal to monitor its performance and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Updating the package list is a crucial step in ensuring you have the latest versions of applications installed. This process is essential for maintaining a smooth and efficient system.

To update the package list, you'll need to run a specific command. This command fetches the latest version of applications while installing.

Running this command will update your package list, but it's not a one-time task. You'll need to run it periodically to keep your system up-to-date.

The command itself is straightforward, and you can easily add it to your routine.

Setting a DNS name is now an optional step when configuring your VMs. Unlike classic VMs, you don't have to set a DNS name by default.

To claim your DNS name, click the Public IP value and navigate to the Configuration section. Here, you can find your custom DNS name, such as my-awesome-server.somewhere.cloudapp.azure.com.

To create a database and user with remote access, you'll need to sign into MySQL with the root user account.

First, you'll need to create a database, which you can do by following the same process as creating a user.

The next step is to create a user and grant remote access to that user, which involves using the CREATE USER and GRANT statements.

You can then test the remote access by trying to connect to the database from a different location, using a tool like MySQL Workbench.

This will allow you to work on the database from anywhere, as long as you have the necessary credentials and a stable internet connection.