Azure VM Rename Process and PowerShell Guide

Renaming an Azure VM can be a straightforward process, but it's essential to follow the right steps to avoid any potential issues. You can rename an Azure VM using the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or PowerShell.

To rename an Azure VM using PowerShell, you'll need to use the Set-AzVM cmdlet. This cmdlet allows you to update the name of a VM, but it requires you to specify the resource group and the name of the VM.

The Set-AzVM cmdlet is a powerful tool that can be used to manage Azure resources, including VMs. It's a great option for those who are comfortable working with PowerShell and want a more programmatic approach to renaming their VMs.

To rename an Azure VM, you'll first need to meet some basic requirements.

You'll need an Azure subscription, which you can request a trial for if you don't have one yet.

You'll also need an Azure VM to rename, but please don't use a production server - create a test VM instead.

To manage your Azure VM, you'll need Windows PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell Core 6+, which I used in my test environment.

Additionally, you'll need the Az PowerShell module installed.

Lastly, you'll need a script editor of your choice, such as Visual Studio Code, which I used in my test environment.

Here's a quick rundown of the requirements:

Renaming an Azure VM is a straightforward process, but there are some additional considerations to keep in mind.

Some settings can only be set during the creation of the VM, so it's essential to carefully consider these before proceeding.

The Availability set is one example of a setting that can only be set during creation and must be added when the VM is created.

Renaming the VM does not automatically rename the computer name in the OS, so be sure to change the computer name after the VM is back online.

Renaming an Azure VM with PowerShell is possible using the Azure PowerShell module.

You can automate this process, which is not possible through the Azure portal or other methods.

First, create an object with the current VM configuration.

This object will serve as a blueprint for the new VM.

Before proceeding, remove the VM's recovery point if it uses Azure Backup Vault.

The recovery point is stored in a resource group named after the VM, which needs to be deleted before any copy operation on the VM.

With the VM object created, you can now create VM components, such as the OS disk and data disks.

To copy the VM, create a snapshot for each disk and use snapshots to create new disks.

For the OS disk, this process will serve as a starting point.

Data disks are handled separately, and you need to parse the DataDisks List to copy them.

Be mindful of the Lun number to avoid issues after the restart.

This method can be used to rename a VM and also to reconnect it to a different virtual network.