Create a golden image by using Azure VM Image Builder

Azure VM Image Builder is a powerful tool that allows you to create golden images for your Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop) environment. With Azure VM Image Builder, you can automate the image creation process, making it more efficient and scalable. In this article, we will explore how to create a golden image using Azure VM Image Builder.

Understanding Golden Images

A golden image is a pre-configured virtual machine (VM) that serves as a template to create multiple VMs with identical configurations. It includes the operating system (OS), applications, and settings required for your environment. Creating a golden image helps streamline the deployment of VMs and ensures consistent configurations across your Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure.

Steps to create a golden image

1. Create a virtual machine: Start by creating a virtual machine that will serve as the base image for your golden image. You can use an existing VM or create a new one.
2. Install pre-requisite software: Install any required software and applications for your environment, such as antivirus software, monitoring agents, or line-of-business applications.
3. Configure the virtual machine: Customize the VM by applying settings and configurations specific to your needs. This can include setting up domain join, configuring security policies, or enabling Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) access.
4. Generalize the virtual machine: Before capturing the virtual machine as a golden image, it needs to be generalized. Generalization removes any machine-specific information, such as unique identifiers or security credentials, making it ready for deployment as a template. Run the Sysprep tool with the following command:

C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown

5. Prepare Azure Image Builder service: Prepare the service by creating a managed image gallery, defining an image template, and configuring other required settings using the Azure portal or Azure CLI.

6. Create an image template: Use a JSON template file to define the specifications for your golden image. Include information such as the source image, customization steps, artifacts (scripts or files), and output image details. Here’s an example:

{
"$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-06-01/imageTemplate.json#",
"contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
"parameters": {},
"variables": {},
"resources": [],
"properties": {
"source": {
"type": "PlatformImage",
"publisher": "MicrosoftWindowsServer",
"offer": "WindowsServer",
"sku": "2019-Datacenter",
"version": "latest"
},
"customize": {
"windowsUpdate": true,
"stopVirtualMachineOnCompletion": true,
"timezone": "Pacific Standard Time"
},
"distribute": {
"type": "ManagedImage",
"galleryImageDefinition": {
"publisher": "MyPublisher",
"offer": "MyOffer",
"sku": "MySku",
"version": "1.0.0"
}
}
}
}

This example specifies a Windows Server 2019 Datacenter image as the source, enables Windows Update during customization, and sets the timezone to Pacific Standard Time. The customized image will be distributed as a managed image within a managed image gallery.

7. Start the image building process: Initiate the image building process by submitting a request to Azure VM Image Builder. You can use the Azure portal or Azure CLI for this. If using Azure CLI, execute the following command:

az image builder build -r myResourceGroup -n myImageTemplate

Replace `myResourceGroup` and `myImageTemplate` with the respective names for your resource group and image template.

Azure VM Image Builder will create a temporary VM based on the source image, apply the specified customizations, and capture it as an image in the managed image gallery.

That’s it! With these steps, you can create a golden image using Azure VM Image Builder for your Azure Virtual Desktop environment. This allows you to automate the image creation process and ensure consistent configurations across your virtual desktop infrastructure.

Remember to consult the Azure VM Image Builder documentation for more advanced customization options and features to tailor the golden image creation process according to your specific requirements.