How to Set Up Communication with a Virtual Machine

All virtual machines that you create in Windows Azure can automatically communicate using a private network channel with other virtual machines in the same cloud service or virtual network, if they have been configured to do so. However, you need to add an endpoint to a virtual machine for other resources on the Internet or other virtual networks to communicate with it. You can associate specific ports and a protocol to endpoints. Resources can connect to an endpoint by using a protocol of TCP or UDP. The TCP protocol includes HTTP and HTTPS communication.

Note: If you want to connect to your virtual machines directly by hostname or set up cross-premises connections, see Windows Azure Virtual Network Overview.

Each endpoint defined for a virtual machine is assigned a public and private port for communication. The private port is used to set up communication rules on the virtual machine, and the public port is used by the Windows Azure load balancer to communicate with the virtual machine from external resources.

1. If you have not already done so, sign in to the Windows Azure Management Portal.

2. Click Virtual Machines, and then select the virtual machine that you want to configure.

3. Click Endpoints.

   

4. Click Add Endpoint.

   The Add Endpoint dialog box appears.

   

5. Accept the default selection of Add Endpoint, and then click the arrow to continue.

   

6. In Name, enter a name for the endpoint.

7. In Public Port and Private Port, type 80. These port numbers can be different. The public port is the entry point for communication from outside of Windows Azure and is used by the Windows Azure load balancer. You can use the private port and firewall rules on the virtual machine to redirect traffic in a way that is appropriate for your application.

8. Click the check mark to create the endpoint.

   You will now see the endpoint listed on the Endpoints page.