Create and manage Azure Compute Gallery

In Microsoft Azure, the Compute Gallery provides a library of virtual machine (VM) images that you can use to create and manage your own custom VMs. This feature offers a convenient way to select and deploy pre-configured VM images for different scenarios, such as software development, testing, or production environments. In this article, we will explore how to create and manage VM images using Azure Compute Gallery.

Prerequisites

Before you start working with Azure Compute Gallery, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. An Azure subscription: You need an active Azure subscription to create and manage VM images in the Compute Gallery.
2. Access to Azure Portal: You must have access to the Azure Portal, which is a web-based management interface for Azure services.
3. Appropriate permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to create and manage resources in Azure. You must have at least the Contributor role for the target resource group.

Create an Azure VM Image

To create an Azure VM image, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to the Azure Portal and navigate to the Virtual machine images (classic) page.
2. Click on the Add button to create a new VM image.
3. Provide a unique name for the image, select the appropriate subscription, resource group, and location.
4. Choose the VM image source. You can select from various options such as Azure Marketplace, Shared Image Gallery, or a custom image.
5. Configure the virtual machine settings, including the size, storage account, and networking options.
6. Customize the VM as per your requirements. Install any necessary software, configure settings, and make changes as needed.
7. Once you have configured the VM, generalize it by running the following command inside the VM:
   $ vmgeneralize -pester
8. Sysprep the VM and shut it down using the following command:
   $ sysprep -generalize -shutdown
9. Finally, back in the Azure Portal, click on the Create button to start the image creation process. This may take several minutes to complete.

Manage Azure VM Images in the Gallery

Once you have created Azure VM images, you can manage them in the Compute Gallery using the following steps:

1. Sign in to the Azure Portal and navigate to the Virtual machine images (classic) page.
2. Here, you will see a list of all the VM images available in the Compute Gallery.
3. To manage an image, select it from the list and choose from options such as Create VM, Download, Copy, or Delete.
4. When you choose the Create VM option, you can select the image, provide a name for the new VM, and configure the VM settings.
5. To download an image, select it from the list and click on the Download button. This will download the VHD file of the VM image to your local machine.
6. To copy an image to another location or subscription, select it from the list and click on the Copy button. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the copy process.
7. To delete an image, select it from the list and click on the Delete button. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Conclusion

Azure Compute Gallery provides a convenient way to create and manage custom VM images for various scenarios. This article covered the steps to create and manage Azure VM images using the Compute Gallery. By utilizing the gallery, you can streamline the deployment of VMs and ensure consistent configurations across your infrastructure. Try it out and leverage the power of Azure Compute Gallery for your virtual machine requirements.