VM images and marketplace in Azure - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - VM images and marketplace

User selects VM image

↓

Check image source

↓

Azure Marketplace

↓

Image details loaded

↓

Configure VM settings

↓

Deploy VM with selected image

User picks a VM image from Azure Marketplace or custom images, configures VM, then deploys it.

Execution Sample

Azure

az vm create --resource-group MyGroup --name MyVM --image UbuntuLTS --admin-username azureuser

Creates a VM named MyVM in MyGroup using the UbuntuLTS image from Azure Marketplace.

Process Table

Step	Action	Input/Parameter	Result/Output
1	Select VM image	UbuntuLTS	Image UbuntuLTS selected from Marketplace
2	Load image details	UbuntuLTS	Image details loaded: OS=Linux, Version=latest
3	Configure VM	Name=MyVM, Admin=azureuser	VM configuration set
4	Deploy VM	ResourceGroup=MyGroup, Image=UbuntuLTS	VM MyVM deployment started
5	Deployment status	In progress	VM MyVM is being created
6	Deployment status	Succeeded	VM MyVM is ready and running

💡 VM deployment completes successfully with selected image

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 3	After Step 6
SelectedImage	None	UbuntuLTS	UbuntuLTS	UbuntuLTS
VMName	None	None	MyVM	MyVM
DeploymentStatus	Not started	Not started	Not started	Succeeded

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why do we need to load image details after selecting an image?

Loading image details confirms the OS type and version, ensuring the VM is configured correctly (see execution_table step 2).

What happens if the deployment status is not 'Succeeded'?

The VM is not ready yet; deployment might be in progress or failed. You must wait or troubleshoot (see execution_table steps 5 and 6).

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the VM name after step 3?

A None

B MyVM

C UbuntuLTS

D azureuser

💡 Hint

Check the 'VMName' variable in variable_tracker after Step 3

At which step does the VM deployment start?

A Step 2

B Step 3

C Step 4

D Step 6

💡 Hint

Look for 'Deploy VM' action in execution_table

If you select a custom image instead of Marketplace, which step changes?

A Step 1 - Select VM image

B Step 2 - Load image details

C Step 4 - Deploy VM

D Step 6 - Deployment status

💡 Hint

Refer to concept_flow where image source choice happens at selection

Concept Snapshot

VM images are templates for VMs.
Azure Marketplace offers many ready images.
Select image, configure VM, then deploy.
Deployment status shows progress.
Custom images can be used instead of Marketplace.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how a user selects a VM image from Azure Marketplace or custom images, loads its details, configures the VM with a name and admin user, then deploys the VM. The deployment status updates from not started to in progress and finally succeeded, indicating the VM is ready. Variables like SelectedImage, VMName, and DeploymentStatus change step-by-step to track progress. Key moments clarify why loading image details is important and what deployment status means. Quiz questions test understanding of VM name assignment, deployment start, and image selection differences.

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