Summary
Deploying Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) lets you run flexible, scalable and reliable workloads in the cloud using Microsoft Azure. To create a VM, log into the Azure Portal, choose your resource group, set a virtual machine name, pick your image (Windows or Linux), configure networking (including your virtual network, public IP, and inbound port rules), and set administrator credentials using a password or SSH key. After reviewing your settings, click Create, and within a few minutes you’ll have a fully functioning VM ready to connect via RDP or SSH.
Advanced users can automate deployment using Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, or an Azure Resource Manager template. Once deployed, VMs can be managed, scaled, moved, or migrated as needed.
If you’d like expert guidance, security assurance, and ongoing support for your Azure environment, Zenzero can help you deploy, manage, and optimise your Virtual Machines with confidence.
Why Virtual Machines matter in today’s Azure environment
Before diving into the “how”, it’s useful to understand the “why”.
Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) provide dedicated compute resources in the cloud, enabling organisations to run applications without maintaining physical hardware. A virtual machine behaves like a server machine, complete with its own Windows OS or Linux distribution, IP address, storage, and network configuration.
Businesses choose Azure VMs because they offer:
- Scalability: Grow on demand with features such as Virtual Machine Scale Sets.
- Flexibility: Create a Windows VM, create a Linux VM, or deploy multiple environments using an Azure Resource Manager template.
- Cost efficiency: Pay only for what you use.
- High availability: Built-in availability options and reliability in virtual machines.
Zenzero helps organisations maximise these benefits by designing, managing, and maintaining robust Azure infrastructures.
Prerequisites: What you need before you start
To deploy a VM, you’ll need the following prerequisites:
- An active Azure account and Azure subscription
- Access to the Azure Portal
- A clear plan for your vm size, image, network design, and security settings
- (Optional) Tools such as Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, or Resource Manager templates if you prefer automating deployment
If you’re unsure whether your organisation has the right structure in place – or if your Azure environment has grown organically over time – Zenzero can help you audit, design, and optimise your cloud resources.
Step-by-step: How to deploy Virtual Machines on Azure
1. Sign in and navigate to the Azure Portal
Go to the Azure Portal and log in using your organisational credentials. From the main dashboard, select Create a resource and choose Virtual Machine.
Here you will begin the create virtual workflow, organised into tabs such as the Basics tab, Networking, Management, and more.
2. Configure the Basics
The Basics tab asks for essential details:
- Azure subscription – select the one your organisation uses.
- Resource group – either choose an existing group or create a new one. Resource groups allow you to manage all associated Azure resources in one place.
- Virtual machine name – choose a clear and descriptive vm name, especially if your organisation runs multiple workloads.
- Region – select the location closest to your users for performance.
- Availability options – configure redundancy for resilience.
- Image – choose the OS image (e.g., “create a Windows” or “Ubuntu” when you want to create a Linux VM).
- VM size – select the appropriate compute type depending on performance needs.
Your choices here set the foundation for your vm configuration, so it’s worth planning this stage carefully.
3. Configure administrator credentials
Azure requires an administrator account to be created at deployment. You can authenticate using:
- A password, or
- An SSH key (recommended for Linux)
If you select an SSH setup, the portal allows you to generate a new key pair, complete with key pair name and private key download. For Windows VMs, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) will be your access method.
Zenzero strongly recommends adopting key-based authentication for improved security practices – something we can help you integrate across your entire estate.
4. Set up networking
The networking section covers the virtual network, subnet, and public IP address configuration.
Key elements include:
- Virtual network – either use an existing network or create a new one.
- Public IP – required if you intend to access your VM externally.
- Inbound port rules – decide which ports to open (e.g., RDP 3389 for Windows, SSH 22 for Linux, HTTP/HTTPS for web servers).
By default, Azure keeps things locked down, so you’ll need to enable only the required ports. Avoid broad-open access unless necessary.
Zenzero engineers can help design secure, scalable networks that support your current and future workloads.
5. Management, monitoring, and advanced options
Additional tabs allow you to:
- Configure monitoring, including boot diagnostics
- Set availability and scale features
- Apply tags for resource categorisation
- Select disk types and other optimisations
These configurations help keep costs predictable and management smooth as your deployment grows.
6. Review and create
Once all options are configured:
- Select Review + create.
- Azure will validate your configuration.
- When ready, click Create.
The deployment typically takes only a few minutes, after which your VM will be ready to use.
Connecting to your Azure VM
After deployment, navigate to the VM’s overview page. From here, you can:
- View its public IP address
- Check status and performance
- Manage settings
- Delete, restart, or stop the VM
To connect, choose Connect:
- Windows VM:
- Select RDP
- Download the connection file
- Open it, click Connect, and enter your administrator account password
- You now have a remote desktop connection similar to using a physical desktop
- Linux VM:
- Use SSH
- Run the provided connection command in your terminal
- When prompted, use your private key
- Press Enter to accept prompts
Azure makes connecting seamless, especially when best-practice security configurations are followed.
Using Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell
For organisations that prioritise automation, Azure supports both Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell. These are particularly useful when you:
- Deploy multiple VMs
- Need consistent, repeatable deployments
- Automate network or scaling configurations
- Work heavily with DevOps pipelines
Commands let you quickly configure VM name, size, image, security type, public IP, and more. This is also where using an Azure Resource Manager template becomes especially powerful—templates allow you to “set and forget” complex deployments through code.
Zenzero can help your organisation adopt Infrastructure-as-Code practices, saving time, reducing errors, and improving governance.
Managing, moving, and scaling VMs
Once deployed, Azure VMs remain highly flexible. You can:
- Manage performance, networking, and updates
- Move and migrate VMs across regions or subscriptions
- Scale using Virtual Machine Scale Sets
- Update configuration settings at any time
- Change vm size or add disks
- Set automated shutdown schedules
- Optimise cost and performance
Azure also provides extensive default monitoring capabilities, ensuring visibility across performance indicators, alerts, and logging.
Partnering with Zenzero ensures these capabilities support your business goals without operational strain on your IT team.
Why work with Zenzero for your Azure Deployments
Deploying Azure VMs is straightforward – but deploying them well requires expertise, governance, security awareness, and long-term planning.
Zenzero provides:
Expert Azure Architecture
We design environments that are secure, scalable, and aligned with your digital strategy.
Hands-on deployment and migration
Whether you need to deploy a simple VM or migrate whole workloads, our team manages the technical heavy lifting.
Ongoing support and monitoring
We ensure your Azure environment remains optimised, cost-efficient, and compliant – day in, day out.
Security-first best practices
From SSH keys to inbound port rules and identity management, we help you deploy confidently.
Ready to deploy Virtual Machines on Azure the right way?
If your organisation is planning to deploy virtual machines – or wants to modernise an existing Azure setup – Zenzero can help you build a resilient, well-managed, cost-efficient cloud environment.
Whether you’re looking to deploy, manage, move, or migrate VMs, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.
Get in touch with Zenzero today to discuss your Azure needs and discover how we can support your cloud ambitions.