VM images and marketplace in Azure - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

When you want to create a virtual machine quickly, you need a ready-made system image. Azure Marketplace offers many pre-built VM images that save time and effort by providing operating systems and software setups ready to use.

When you want to launch a Windows or Linux server without installing the OS yourself.

When you need a VM with specific software already installed, like a database or web server.

When you want to test software on a clean, standard environment quickly.

When you want to use a trusted, secure image from Microsoft or verified partners.

When you want to save time by avoiding manual setup of the operating system and basic tools.

Commands

This command lists all available VM images published by Microsoft Windows Server in the Azure Marketplace. It helps you see which Windows server images you can use.

Terminal

az vm image list --output table --all --publisher MicrosoftWindowsServer

Expected Output

Offer                         Publisher                 Sku                 Urn

WindowsServer                 MicrosoftWindowsServer    2019-Datacenter     MicrosoftWindowsServer:WindowsServer:2019-Datacenter:latest

WindowsServer                 MicrosoftWindowsServer    2016-Datacenter     MicrosoftWindowsServer:WindowsServer:2016-Datacenter:latest

WindowsServer                 MicrosoftWindowsServer    2012-R2-Datacenter  MicrosoftWindowsServer:WindowsServer:2012-R2-Datacenter:latest

→

--output - Formats the output as a readable table.

→

--all - Shows all versions of images.

This command creates a new virtual machine named example-vm in the example-rg resource group using the Windows Server 2019 Datacenter image from the marketplace. It sets the admin username and password for login.

Terminal

az vm create --resource-group example-rg --name example-vm --image MicrosoftWindowsServer:WindowsServer:2019-Datacenter:latest --admin-username azureuser --admin-password ExamplePass123!

Expected Output

{

  "fqdns": "",

  "id": "/subscriptions/xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx/resourceGroups/example-rg/providers/Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/example-vm",

  "location": "eastus",

  "name": "example-vm",

  "powerState": "VM running",

  "resourceGroup": "example-rg",

  "zones": null

}

→

--resource-group - Specifies the Azure resource group to create the VM in.

→

--image - Specifies the VM image to use from the marketplace.

→

--admin-username - Sets the administrator username for the VM.

→

--admin-password - Sets the administrator password for the VM.

This command shows details about the created VM, including its status and IP address, to confirm it is running and accessible.

Terminal

az vm show --resource-group example-rg --name example-vm --show-details --output table

Expected Output

Name         ResourceGroup    Location    ProvisioningState    PowerState    PublicIps    PrivateIps

------------ --------------- ----------- ------------------- ------------- ------------ ------------

example-vm   example-rg      eastus      Succeeded           VM running    52.170.12.34 10.0.0.4

→

--show-details - Includes runtime details like power state and IP addresses.

→

--output - Formats output as a readable table.

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: Azure Marketplace VM images let you quickly launch ready-to-use virtual machines with pre-installed operating systems and software.

Common Mistakes

Using an incorrect image URN or misspelling the image name.

The VM creation command fails because it cannot find the specified image in the marketplace.

Use 'az vm image list' to find the exact image URN before creating the VM.

Not specifying a strong admin password when creating the VM.

Azure rejects weak passwords for security reasons, causing the VM creation to fail.

Use a password that meets Azure's complexity requirements, including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

Skipping the verification step after VM creation.

You might think the VM is ready, but it could be stopped or have errors.

Always run 'az vm show' with details to confirm the VM is running and accessible.

Summary

Use 'az vm image list' to find available VM images in the Azure Marketplace.

Create a VM with 'az vm create' specifying the image, resource group, and admin credentials.

Verify the VM status and details with 'az vm show' to ensure it is running correctly.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using VM images in Azure?

easy

A. To monitor network traffic

B. To store data backups securely

C. To quickly create virtual machines with pre-installed software

D. To manage user permissions

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand VM images

   VM images are templates that include an operating system and software to create VMs quickly.

2. Step 2: Identify the main use

   They save time by avoiding manual setup of software on new VMs.

3. Final Answer:

   To quickly create virtual machines with pre-installed software -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   VM images = quick VM setup [OK]

Hint: VM images = ready-made VMs for fast deployment [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing VM images with data backups
• Thinking VM images manage network or permissions

2. Which Azure CLI command option specifies the VM image when creating a virtual machine?

easy

A. --image

B. --template-image

C. --os-image

D. --vm-image

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Azure CLI VM creation syntax

   The option to specify the image is --image.

2. Step 2: Confirm correct option

   Other options like --vm-image or --os-image are incorrect or do not exist.

3. Final Answer:

   --image -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use --image to set VM image [OK]

Hint: Use --image option to pick VM image in Azure CLI [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using --vm-image or --os-image which are invalid
• Confusing image option with template options

3. What will happen if you run this Azure CLI command?

az vm create --resource-group myGroup --name myVM --image UbuntuLTS --admin-username azureuser

medium

A. Fails because the image name is incorrect

B. Creates a VM named myVM with the latest Ubuntu LTS image

C. Creates a VM but without an operating system

D. Creates a VM with Windows Server image

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the command parameters

   The command uses --image UbuntuLTS, which is a valid alias for the latest Ubuntu LTS image.

2. Step 2: Understand the effect

   The VM named myVM will be created in myGroup with Ubuntu OS and admin user azureuser.

3. Final Answer:

   Creates a VM named myVM with the latest Ubuntu LTS image -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   UbuntuLTS image creates Ubuntu VM [OK]

Hint: UbuntuLTS is a valid image alias for Ubuntu VMs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming UbuntuLTS is invalid image name
• Thinking VM will have Windows OS
• Believing VM will be created without OS

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

az vm create --resource-group myGroup --name myVM --image Ubuntu --admin-username azureuser

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

medium

A. The admin username is invalid

B. The VM name contains invalid characters

C. The resource group does not exist

D. The image name 'Ubuntu' is not a valid marketplace image alias

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the image name validity

   'Ubuntu' alone is not a valid image alias; the correct alias is 'UbuntuLTS' or a full image reference.

2. Step 2: Confirm other parameters

   The admin username, resource group, and VM name are likely valid or would cause different errors.

3. Final Answer:

   The image name 'Ubuntu' is not a valid marketplace image alias -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use correct image alias like UbuntuLTS [OK]

Hint: Use exact image aliases like UbuntuLTS, not partial names [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming admin username caused error
• Ignoring image name format rules
• Not verifying resource group existence

5. You want to deploy a VM using a custom image from the Azure Marketplace that requires accepting terms before use. Which step must you perform before creating the VM?

hard

A. Run az vm image accept-terms for the image publisher, offer, and SKU

B. Create a resource group with the same name as the image

C. Manually download the image to your local machine

D. Disable the Azure Marketplace in your subscription

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Marketplace image terms

   Some Marketplace images require accepting terms before use to comply with licensing.

2. Step 2: Use Azure CLI to accept terms

   You must run az vm image accept-terms with the image details to accept terms before VM creation.

3. Final Answer:

   Run az vm image accept-terms for the image publisher, offer, and SKU -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Accept terms before using Marketplace images [OK]

Hint: Accept Marketplace image terms with az vm image accept-terms [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping terms acceptance causing deployment failure
• Trying to download images manually
• Disabling Marketplace instead of accepting terms