Add a Virtual Machine to a Virtual Network

This tutorial walks you through the steps to create a Windows Azure storage account and virtual machine (VM) that you add to a virtual network.

This tutorial assumes you have no prior experience using Windows Azure.

Important

If you plan on creating a VM in order to install a new Active Directory forest, follow the instructions in Install a new Active Directory forest in Windows Azure.

Objectives

In this tutorial you will learn:

How to create a storage account
How to create a virtual machine and deploy it to a virtual network

Prerequisites

Complete one of the following tutorials:
- Create a Virtual Network in Windows Azure
  
  -OR-
- Create a Virtual Network for cross-premises connectivity
Windows Live account with at least one valid, active subscription.
Names of the following from Create a Virtual Network in Windows Azure or Create a Virtual Network for cross-premises connectivity:
- Affinity group you assigned your virtual network.
- Name of your virtual network.
- Names of your subnet(s).

Create Storage Account

After you have created your virtual network in the Windows Azure Management Portal, on the lower left-hand corner of the screen, click New.
In the navigation pane, click DATA SERVICES, STORAGE, and then QUICK CREATE.
Enter the following information, and then click the check mark on the bottom right of the screen.
- URL: Type yourstorage.
- REGION/AFFINITY GROUP: From the drop-down list, select YourAffinityGroup.
- ENABLE GEO-REPLICATION: Leave this box checked.
On the Storage page, the STATUS column will display Online when the process is complete.

Create Virtual Machine and Deploy to Virtual Network

To create a virtual machine and deploy to a virtual network:

After you have created your storage account, on the lower left-hand corner of the screen, click New.
In the navigation pane, click COMPUTE, VIRTUAL MACHINE, and then click FROM GALLERY.
On the VM OS Selection screen, select Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, October 2012 (or the most recent version available), and then click the next arrow.
On the Virtual machine configuration screen, enter the following information, and then click the next arrow.

Tip: Write down the user name and password because these are the credentials you will use to log in to your new virtual machine.
- VIRTUAL MACHINE NAME: Type YourVMachine.
- NEW USER NAME: Read-only.
- NEW PASSWORD: Enter a strong password.
- CONFIRM PASSWORD: Re-enter password.
- SIZE: Select Small.
On the Virtual machine mode screen, enter the following information, and then click the next arrow.
- Standalone Virtual Machine: Leave this option selected.
- DNS NAME: Type yourcloudapplication.
- STORAGE ACCOUNT: Select yourstorage.
- REGION/AFFINITY GROUP/VIRTUAL NETWORK: From the drop-down list, select YourVirtualNetwork.
On the Virtual machine options screen, enter the following information, and then click the check mark button. Your virtual machine will now be created. It can take up to 10 minutes for the new machine to be created.
- AVAILABILITY SET: Select none.
- VIRTUAL NETWORK SUBNETS: Select FrontEndSubnet.
NOTE
You should select at least one subnet and DO NOT select the gateway subnet.
When your virtual machine has been created, on the virtual machines screen, the STATUS will be Running.
In the navigation pane, click ALL ITEMS. All your objects you've created will be displayed with their current status.

Next Steps

To install an additional domain controller for your on-premises Active Directory domain on the VM you just created, see Install a Replica Active Directory Domain Controller in Windows Azure Virtual Network.