VM commands (create, start, stop) in Azure - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the Azure CLI command to create a new virtual machine?

The command is az vm create. It lets you specify the resource group, VM name, image, size, and other settings to create a new VM.

beginner

How do you start a stopped Azure virtual machine using the CLI?

Use the command az vm start --resource-group <group> --name <vm-name> to power on a stopped VM.

beginner

Which Azure CLI command stops a running virtual machine?

The command az vm stop --resource-group <group> --name <vm-name> stops a running VM, releasing its compute resources but keeping the disk.

intermediate

What happens to the VM's disk when you stop a VM using az vm stop?

The VM's disk remains intact and attached. The VM is deallocated, so you don't pay for compute, but storage costs continue.

beginner

Why is it important to specify the resource group when running VM commands in Azure CLI?

Because resource groups organize resources. Specifying the group tells Azure exactly which VM you want to manage, avoiding confusion.

Which command creates a new Azure VM?

A az vm create

B az vm start

C az vm stop

D az vm delete

The az vm create command is used to create a new virtual machine.

What does az vm stop do?

A Starts the VM

B Deletes the VM and its disks

C Creates a new VM

D Powers off and deallocates the VM

az vm stop stops and deallocates the VM, freeing compute resources but keeping disks.

How do you start a stopped VM in Azure CLI?

A az vm restart

B az vm start

C az vm stop

D az vm create

Use az vm start to power on a stopped VM.

Which parameter is required to specify the VM's location in az vm create?

A --name

B --resource-group

C --location

D --size

The --location parameter sets the Azure region for the VM.

What happens to the VM's disk when you stop it with az vm stop?

A Disk remains and you keep storage costs

B Disk is deleted

C Disk is detached and lost

D Disk is backed up automatically

Stopping a VM keeps the disk intact, so storage costs continue.

Explain the steps and commands to create, start, and stop an Azure virtual machine using the CLI.

Think about the order: create first, then start or stop as needed.

Describe why specifying the resource group is important when managing Azure VMs with CLI commands.

Resource groups are like folders for your cloud resources.

Practice

1. What does the az vm create command do in Azure?

easy

A. It starts an existing virtual machine.

B. It stops a running virtual machine.

C. It creates a new virtual machine in Azure.

D. It deletes a virtual machine.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the command purpose

   The az vm create command is used to make a new virtual machine in Azure.

2. Step 2: Compare with other commands

   az vm start starts a VM, az vm stop stops it, and az vm delete removes it.

3. Final Answer:

   It creates a new virtual machine in Azure. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   az vm create = create VM [OK]

Hint: Create means make new VM, start means turn on, stop means turn off [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing create with start or stop commands
• Thinking create also starts the VM automatically
• Mixing stop with delete

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to start a VM named myVM in resource group myGroup?

easy

A. az vm create --name myVM --resource-group myGroup

B. az vm start --name myVM --resource-group myGroup

C. az vm stop --name myVM --resource-group myGroup

D. az vm delete --name myVM --resource-group myGroup

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the command to start a VM

   The command to start a VM is az vm start.

2. Step 2: Check the syntax for name and resource group

   The correct flags are --name for VM name and --resource-group for the group.

3. Final Answer:

   az vm start --name myVM --resource-group myGroup -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Start VM syntax = az vm start [OK]

Hint: Start VM uses 'az vm start' with --name and --resource-group [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using create instead of start to power on VM
• Forgetting to specify resource group
• Using stop or delete commands by mistake

3. What will happen if you run this command?

az vm stop --name testVM --resource-group testGroup

medium

A. The VM named testVM will be stopped (powered off).

B. The VM named testVM will be deleted.

C. The VM named testVM will be started.

D. The command will show a syntax error.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the command action

   az vm stop stops (powers off) the specified VM.

2. Step 2: Confirm the VM and resource group names

   The VM name is testVM and resource group is testGroup, both valid inputs.

3. Final Answer:

   The VM named testVM will be stopped (powered off). -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   az vm stop = stop VM [OK]

Hint: Stop command powers off VM, does not delete or start it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing stop with delete
• Thinking stop starts the VM
• Assuming syntax error due to names

4. You tried to start a VM with this command:

az vm start -n myVM -g myGroup

The command failed with an error. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. The VM name or resource group might be misspelled or does not exist.

B. You must stop the VM before starting it.

C. The flags -n and -g are incorrect; use full names instead.

D. The az vm start command cannot use short flags.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check command flags

   -n and -g are valid short forms for --name and --resource-group.

2. Step 2: Consider common errors

   Errors usually happen if the VM or resource group name is wrong or missing in Azure.

3. Final Answer:

   The VM name or resource group might be misspelled or does not exist. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Invalid names cause start errors, not flags [OK]

Hint: Check VM and group names carefully if start fails [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming short flags are invalid
• Thinking VM must be stopped before starting
• Confusing start errors with syntax errors

5. You want to save money by stopping a VM but keep its data intact. Which command should you use and why?

hard

A. Use az vm stop because it powers off the VM but keeps the disk data.

B. Use az vm delete because it stops and removes the VM and data.

C. Use az vm restart because it stops and starts the VM quickly.

D. Use az vm deallocate because it stops the VM and releases compute resources but keeps data.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand stopping vs deallocating

   az vm stop powers off the VM but does not release compute resources, so charges continue.

2. Step 2: Identify the command to save costs

   az vm deallocate stops the VM and releases compute resources, saving money while keeping disk data.

3. Final Answer:

   Use az vm deallocate because it stops the VM and releases compute resources but keeps data. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Deallocate = stop + release resources + keep data [OK]

Hint: Deallocate stops VM and saves cost without deleting data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using stop only and expecting cost savings
• Deleting VM to save money loses data
• Restarting does not save costs