Deploying a Virtual Machine in Azure Using an ARM Template

Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates are a powerful way to deploy and manage resources in Microsoft Azure. This blog will walk you through the process of deploying a virtual machine (VM) in Azure using an ARM template directly from the Azure Portal. This approach simplifies the deployment of complex environments and ensures consistency.

Step 1: Prepare Your ARM Template

Before you start the deployment process, you need to have your ARM template ready. Here’s a basic example of an ARM template for deploying a Windows VM:

{
  "$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-04-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
  "contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
  "metadata": {
    "_generator": {
      "name": "bicep",
      "version": "0.16.2.56959",
      "templateHash": "14427937023370378081"
    }
  },
  "parameters": {
    "adminUsername": {
      "type": "string",
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Username for the Virtual Machine."
      }
    },
    "adminPassword": {
      "type": "securestring",
      "minLength": 12,
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Password for the Virtual Machine."
      }
    },
    "dnsLabelPrefix": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "[toLower(format('{0}-{1}', parameters('vmName'), uniqueString(resourceGroup().id, parameters('vmName'))))]",
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Unique DNS Name for the Public IP used to access the Virtual Machine."
      }
    },
    "publicIpName": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "myPublicIP",
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Name for the Public IP used to access the Virtual Machine."
      }
    },
    "publicIPAllocationMethod": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "Dynamic",
      "allowedValues": [
        "Dynamic",
        "Static"
      ],
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Allocation method for the Public IP used to access the Virtual Machine."
      }
    },
    "publicIpSku": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "Basic",
      "allowedValues": [
        "Basic",
        "Standard"
      ],
      "metadata": {
        "description": "SKU for the Public IP used to access the Virtual Machine."
      }
    },
    "OSVersion": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "2022-datacenter-azure-edition",
      "allowedValues": [
        "2016-datacenter-gensecond",
        "2016-datacenter-server-core-g2",
        "2016-datacenter-server-core-smalldisk-g2",
        "2016-datacenter-smalldisk-g2",
        "2016-datacenter-with-containers-g2",
        "2016-datacenter-zhcn-g2",
        "2019-datacenter-core-g2",
        "2019-datacenter-core-smalldisk-g2",
        "2019-datacenter-core-with-containers-g2",
        "2019-datacenter-core-with-containers-smalldisk-g2",
        "2019-datacenter-gensecond",
        "2019-datacenter-smalldisk-g2",
        "2019-datacenter-with-containers-g2",
        "2019-datacenter-with-containers-smalldisk-g2",
        "2019-datacenter-zhcn-g2",
        "2022-datacenter-azure-edition",
        "2022-datacenter-azure-edition-core",
        "2022-datacenter-azure-edition-core-smalldisk",
        "2022-datacenter-azure-edition-smalldisk",
        "2022-datacenter-core-g2",
        "2022-datacenter-core-smalldisk-g2",
        "2022-datacenter-g2",
        "2022-datacenter-smalldisk-g2"
      ],
      "metadata": {
        "description": "The Windows version for the VM. This will pick a fully patched image of this given Windows version."
      }
    },
    "vmSize": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "Standard_D2s_v5",
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Size of the virtual machine."
      }
    },
    "location": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "[resourceGroup().location]",
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Location for all resources."
      }
    },
    "vmName": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "simple-vm",
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Name of the virtual machine."
      }
    },
    "securityType": {
      "type": "string",
      "defaultValue": "TrustedLaunch",
      "allowedValues": [
        "Standard",
        "TrustedLaunch"
      ],
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Security Type of the Virtual Machine."
      }
    }
  },
  "variables": {
    "storageAccountName": "[format('bootdiags{0}', uniqueString(resourceGroup().id))]",
    "nicName": "myVMNic",
    "addressPrefix": "10.0.0.0/16",
    "subnetName": "Subnet",
    "subnetPrefix": "10.0.0.0/24",
    "virtualNetworkName": "MyVNET",
    "networkSecurityGroupName": "default-NSG",
    "securityProfileJson": {
      "uefiSettings": {
        "secureBootEnabled": true,
        "vTpmEnabled": true
      },
      "securityType": "[parameters('securityType')]"
    },
    "extensionName": "GuestAttestation",
    "extensionPublisher": "Microsoft.Azure.Security.WindowsAttestation",
    "extensionVersion": "1.0",
    "maaTenantName": "GuestAttestation",
    "maaEndpoint": "[substring('emptyString', 0, 0)]"
  },
  "resources": [
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts",
      "apiVersion": "2022-05-01",
      "name": "[variables('storageAccountName')]",
      "location": "[parameters('location')]",
      "sku": {
        "name": "Standard_LRS"
      },
      "kind": "Storage"
    },
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Network/publicIPAddresses",
      "apiVersion": "2022-05-01",
      "name": "[parameters('publicIpName')]",
      "location": "[parameters('location')]",
      "sku": {
        "name": "[parameters('publicIpSku')]"
      },
      "properties": {
        "publicIPAllocationMethod": "[parameters('publicIPAllocationMethod')]",
        "dnsSettings": {
          "domainNameLabel": "[parameters('dnsLabelPrefix')]"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Network/networkSecurityGroups",
      "apiVersion": "2022-05-01",
      "name": "[variables('networkSecurityGroupName')]",
      "location": "[parameters('location')]",
      "properties": {
        "securityRules": [
          {
            "name": "default-allow-3389",
            "properties": {
              "priority": 1000,
              "access": "Allow",
              "direction": "Inbound",
              "destinationPortRange": "3389",
              "protocol": "Tcp",
              "sourcePortRange": "*",
              "sourceAddressPrefix": "*",
              "destinationAddressPrefix": "*"
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworks",
      "apiVersion": "2022-05-01",
      "name": "[variables('virtualNetworkName')]",
      "location": "[parameters('location')]",
      "properties": {
        "addressSpace": {
          "addressPrefixes": [
            "[variables('addressPrefix')]"
          ]
        },
        "subnets": [
          {
            "name": "[variables('subnetName')]",
            "properties": {
              "addressPrefix": "[variables('subnetPrefix')]",
              "networkSecurityGroup": {
                "id": "[resourceId('Microsoft.Network/networkSecurityGroups', variables('networkSecurityGroupName'))]"
              }
            }
          }
        ]
      },
      "dependsOn": [
        "[resourceId('Microsoft.Network/networkSecurityGroups', variables('networkSecurityGroupName'))]"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Network/networkInterfaces",
      "apiVersion": "2022-05-01",
      "name": "[variables('nicName')]",
      "location": "[parameters('location')]",
      "properties": {
        "ipConfigurations": [
          {
            "name": "ipconfig1",
            "properties": {
              "privateIPAllocationMethod": "Dynamic",
              "publicIPAddress": {
                "id": "[resourceId('Microsoft.Network/publicIPAddresses', parameters('publicIpName'))]"
              },
              "subnet": {
                "id": "[resourceId('Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworks/subnets', variables('virtualNetworkName'), variables('subnetName'))]"
              }
            }
          }
        ]
      },
      "dependsOn": [
        "[resourceId('Microsoft.Network/publicIPAddresses', parameters('publicIpName'))]",
        "[resourceId('Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworks', variables('virtualNetworkName'))]"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines",
      "apiVersion": "2022-03-01",
      "name": "[parameters('vmName')]",
      "location": "[parameters('location')]",
      "properties": {
        "hardwareProfile": {
          "vmSize": "[parameters('vmSize')]"
        },
        "osProfile": {
          "computerName": "[parameters('vmName')]",
          "adminUsername": "[parameters('adminUsername')]",
          "adminPassword": "[parameters('adminPassword')]"
        },
        "storageProfile": {
          "imageReference": {
            "publisher": "MicrosoftWindowsServer",
            "offer": "WindowsServer",
            "sku": "[parameters('OSVersion')]",
            "version": "latest"
          },
          "osDisk": {
            "createOption": "FromImage",
            "managedDisk": {
              "storageAccountType": "StandardSSD_LRS"
            }
          },
          "dataDisks": [
            {
              "diskSizeGB": 1023,
              "lun": 0,
              "createOption": "Empty"
            }
          ]
        },
        "networkProfile": {
          "networkInterfaces": [
            {
              "id": "[resourceId('Microsoft.Network/networkInterfaces', variables('nicName'))]"
            }
          ]
        },
        "diagnosticsProfile": {
          "bootDiagnostics": {
            "enabled": true,
            "storageUri": "[reference(resourceId('Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts', variables('storageAccountName')), '2022-05-01').primaryEndpoints.blob]"
          }
        },
        "securityProfile": "[if(equals(parameters('securityType'), 'TrustedLaunch'), variables('securityProfileJson'), null())]"
      },
      "dependsOn": [
        "[resourceId('Microsoft.Network/networkInterfaces', variables('nicName'))]",
        "[resourceId('Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts', variables('storageAccountName'))]"
      ]
    },
    {
      "condition": "[and(equals(parameters('securityType'), 'TrustedLaunch'), and(equals(variables('securityProfileJson').uefiSettings.secureBootEnabled, true()), equals(variables('securityProfileJson').uefiSettings.vTpmEnabled, true())))]",
      "type": "Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/extensions",
      "apiVersion": "2022-03-01",
      "name": "[format('{0}/{1}', parameters('vmName'), variables('extensionName'))]",
      "location": "[parameters('location')]",
      "properties": {
        "publisher": "[variables('extensionPublisher')]",
        "type": "[variables('extensionName')]",
        "typeHandlerVersion": "[variables('extensionVersion')]",
        "autoUpgradeMinorVersion": true,
        "enableAutomaticUpgrade": true,
        "settings": {
          "AttestationConfig": {
            "MaaSettings": {
              "maaEndpoint": "[variables('maaEndpoint')]",
              "maaTenantName": "[variables('maaTenantName')]"
            }
          }
        }
      },
      "dependsOn": [
        "[resourceId('Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines', parameters('vmName'))]"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "outputs": {
    "hostname": {
      "type": "string",
      "value": "[reference(resourceId('Microsoft.Network/publicIPAddresses', parameters('publicIpName')), '2022-05-01').dnsSettings.fqdn]"
    }
  }
}

Note: Customize the variables section with your subscription ID, resource group name, and storage account details.

Step 2: Log in to Azure Portal

Go to the Azure Portal: Open portal.azure.com and log in with your Azure account credentials.

Step 3: Start the Deployment

Create a New Deployment:

On the search bar,type Deploy a custom template.
Click on "+ Create" (or "Add" in some versions).

Step 4: Build Your Own Template

On the "Custom deployment" page, click on "Build your own template in the editor."

Paste the ARM Template:

In the template editor, either upload your template file or paste your ARM template JSON code directly.
Click on "Save" to save your changes and return to the deployment page.

Step 5: Configure Deployment Parameters

Fill Out Parameters:
- On the "Custom deployment" page, you’ll need to enter the parameters for your template. This includes:
  - Subscription: Select the Azure subscription you want to use.
  - Resource group: Choose the existing resource group or create a new one.
  - Region: Ensure the region is correct.
  - Template Parameters: If your template includes parameters, provide the required values (e.g., VM name, admin username and password).

Review and Create:

Click on "Review + create" to review your deployment settings.
Verify that all details are correct.

Step 6: Deploy the Template

Initiate Deployment:

Click on "Create" to start the deployment process.

Monitor Deployment:

Once you submit, Azure will begin deploying the resources defined in your ARM template.

Step 7: Verify the Deployment

Check Resources:
- After the deployment is complete, go to the "Virtual machines" section in the Azure Portal.
- You should see your new VM listed there.

Step 8: Download RDP file

Connect to the VM:

Click on the VM to view its details.
Connect via Remote Desktop (for Windows).
- Fill in admin password that was created earlier

Step 9: Verify the Deployment

Conclusion

Deploying a VM using an ARM template through the Azure Portal provides a seamless way to automate and standardize your deployments. By following these steps, you can quickly spin up virtual machines with a consistent configuration, saving time and reducing the potential for errors. For more complex scenarios, you can enhance your ARM template with additional resources and configurations to fit your needs.