In understanding the resources required to successfully run virtual machines (VMs) on the Azure platform, it is important to first have a general overview of what Azure virtual machines are, and how they function. An Azure Virtual Machine (VM) is a software implementation of a computer that runs applications exactly like a physical machine. It provides the ability to deploy a hypervisor to run multiple VMs on the same physical machine.
Resources Required To Run a VM on Azure
Here are the main resources required to run a VM on Azure.
1. Compute Power:
The VM size defines the computational resources that the VM provides, like vCPUs (number of cores), memory size, and storage space. When setting up a VM, you can choose between various VM sizes based on your workload requirement.
For example, the Azure VM Series like the B series provide flexibility in that the VMs can be burstable, allowing for a high CPU performance during peak times, and the E series are memory-optimized for workloads requiring a high memory-to-CPU ratio.
2. Storage:
Virtual hard disks (VHDs) are utilized to store data and serve as the disks for VMs. Azure uses two types of disks: the data disk and the operating system disk. Depending on the workload, Azure provides three types of storage disks: Ultra Disk, Premium SSD, and Standard SSD.
For example, Standard SSDs are cost-effective storage options optimized for workloads requiring consistent performance at lower IOPS levels. Premium SSDs deliver high performance, low latency disk support for VMs running I/O-intensive workloads.
3. Networking:
VMs use virtual network (VNet) to communicate with each other and the internet. A VM has one or more network interfaces (NICs). The NIC is attached to a subnet in the VNet.
4. Availability:
Availability is a measure of the continuous operation of a VM. Azure provides multiple ways to manage the availability of VMs such as the use of Managed Disks, Virtual Machine Scale Sets (VMSS), and Availability Zones.
5. Security:
Azure requires the use of a key pair (a public key and a private key) or a password to secure SSH access to VMs. It also provides options to secure the VM data using Disk Encryption and protect the VM using Azure Security Center and Azure Backup.
Disk Types in Azure Storage
Here is a comparison of different disk types in Azure Storage:
| Disk Type | Use Case | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra Disk | Storage requiring high throughput or low latency, such as DBMS or high-performance applications | Highest performance with configurable IOPS and throughput |
| Premium SSD | I/O-intensive applications requiring high performance | High performance with fixed IOPS and throughput |
| Standard SSD | Web servers, lightly used enterprise applications and dev/test scenarios | Cost-effective storage option for consistent performance at lower IOPS levels |
Conclusion
Thus, it should be noted that resources for Azure virtual machines generally encompass compute, storage, networking, availability, and security. Depending on the specific workload requirements, Azure provides a variety of options for each of these resource categories to ensure optimum performance.
Practice Test
True or False: Virtual machines in Azure require a virtual network to connect to the internet.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Virtual machines in Azure do need a virtual network to connect to the internet. They do not have direct internet connectivity.
Which of the following is required to set up virtual machines in Azure?
- a) Subscription
- b) Virtual network
- c) Storage account
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: All of these components are required to set up and operate Azure virtual machines effectively.
True or False: Azure virtual machines require physical hardware for their operation.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Azure virtual machines operate on a cloud-based infrastructure and do not require any separate physical hardware.
Which one of the following is not a resource required for Azure virtual machines?
- a) Network Interface
- b) Disk storage
- c) Application Gateway
- d) Azure AD
Answer: d) Azure AD
Explanation: Azure AD is an identity service and not directly required for the operation of a virtual machine.
What is Azure Disk Storage used for in virtual machines?
- a) To store the operating system
- b) To store applications
- c) To store data
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Azure Disk Storage is used to store the virtual machine’s operating system, applications, and data.
True or False: Azure virtual machines require an operating system.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Azure virtual machines are similar to physical computers, and they require an operating system to run applications
Which of the following compute resources is essential for Azure Virtual Machines?
- a) CPU
- b) RAM
- c) GPU
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Just like physical machines, Azure virtual machines require CPU, RAM, and optionally GPU for their operation.
Azure’s Blob storage is the preferred option for storing VM data. True or False?
- Answer: False
Explanation: Although Azure’s Blob storage can be used for storing VM data, Azure Disk Storage is generally the preferred option because of its optimized performance for VM usage.
The Azure MarketPlace offers pre-configured virtual machine images. True or False?
- Answer: True
Explanation: The Azure MarketPlace provides an extensive catalog of third-party virtual machine images that are pre-configured and ready for deployment.
Azure Site Recovery is required to operate a virtual machine on Azure. True or False?
- Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Site Recovery is a separate service used for disaster recovery. It’s not directly required to operate a virtual machine.
Azure Virtual Machines require which of the following for network and internet connectivity?
- a) Virtual Network
- b) IP address
- c) Network security group
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Azure Virtual Machines need a Virtual Network, an IP address and a Network security group to establish network and internet connectivity.
You cannot attach a managed disk to an Azure VM once the VM is running. True or False?
- Answer: False
Explanation: Azure supports the hot addition of managed disks, which means that you can attach a managed disk to a running VM.
Azure VMs require which type of storage to hold VM’s system disk?
- a) File Storage
- b) Table Storage
- c) Disk Storage
- d) Blob Storage
Answer: c) Disk Storage
Explanation: Azure VMs require Disk Storage to hold the VM’s system disk which includes the operating system and application binaries.
You can change the size of an existing Azure VM. True or False?
- Answer: True
Explanation: Azure allows you to change the size of a VM, both in terms of disk space and compute resources.
The virtual hard disk (VHD) that forms the VM’s system disk is generally stored in which type of storage?
- a) Blob Storage
- b) Table Storage
- c) Disk Storage
- d) File Storage
Answer: c) Disk Storage
Explanation: The VHD that forms the system disk of a VM is generally stored in Azure Disk Storage, which is designed for high-performance disk-based storage workloads.
Interview Questions
What is a virtual machine in the context of Microsoft Azure?
A virtual machine in Microsoft Azure is an emulation of a physical computer, providing the same functionality. It can run applications and services just like a physical computer.
What resources are required to run a virtual machine on Azure?
The resources required to run a virtual machine on Azure include a disk to store your VM’s operating system, a vCPU (Virtual CPU), memory (RAM), and network capability to communicate with the internet and other Azure services.
What resource determines the processing power available to a virtual machine?
The vCPU determines the processing power available to a virtual machine in Azure.
What is the role of RAM in the Azure virtual machines?
RAM in Azure virtual machines is used for storing running applications and data that is being actively used or processed by the vCPU.
What must be provisioned to enable storage for a virtual machine in Azure?
A disk must be provisioned to enable storage for a virtual machine in Azure.
What is the purpose of Azure’s Virtual Network (VNet) when it comes to virtual machines?
Azure’s Virtual Network (VNet) provides a secure, private network space within Azure which your virtual machines can use to communicate with each other and with the internet.
Can a virtual machine in Azure have more than one network interface card (NIC)?
Yes, an Azure virtual machine can have more than one network interface card (NIC). The number of NICs that you can create depends on the size of the VM.
Which Azure service provides scalable and distributed storage for virtual machines?
Azure Storage Account provides scalable and distributed storage for virtual machines.
What resource is needed to provide high-speed scalability for applications in Azure virtual machines?
Azure Load Balancer is needed to provide high-speed scalability for applications in Azure virtual machines.
What Azure tool can be used to monitor and diagnose the health and performance of virtual machines?
Azure Monitor can be used to monitor and diagnose the health and performance of virtual machines in Azure.
What kind of disk storage does Azure offer for virtual machines?
Azure offers both Standard (HDD) and Premium (SSD) disk storage for virtual machines.
Which Azure service can be used to backup data on virtual machines?
Azure Backup service can be used to backup data on virtual machines.
What is the role of Azure Security Center for virtual machines?
Azure Security Center provides unified security management and advanced threat protection for virtual machines.
Can an Azure virtual machine access internet by default?
Yes, an Azure virtual machine can access internet by default unless Network Security Group rules are implemented to restrict it.
What is the purpose of Azure Machine Images (AMI)?
Azure Machine Images (AMI) serve as templates for creating virtual machines. They include information like the operating system, application server, and applications required by the VM.
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