Virtual machines (VMs) have become an indispensable part of modern IT infrastructure, particularly with the shift to cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. On Day 4 of my 100 Days of DevOps Challenge, I explored how to create VMs on these platforms and the importance of automation in VM management.
Virtual Machines in Cloud Computing
Virtual machines are software-based replicas of physical computers, allowing multiple operating systems to run on a single hardware platform. With the rise of cloud computing, traditional data centers are increasingly being replaced by cloud-based VMs, offering scalability, cost efficiency, and flexibility.
Creating Virtual Machines on AWS
On AWS, virtual machines are referred to as EC2 instances. Here's a simplified process to create an EC2 instance:
Access AWS Console: Log in to the AWS Management Console.
Choose an OS: Select from Amazon Machine Images (AMI) based on your workload.
Instance Type: Select a configuration (e.g., t2.micro for free-tier eligible users).
Configure Security: Set up key pairs for secure SSH access and define security group rules.
Launch the Instance: Review the settings and launch the VM.
AWS offers diverse instance types catering to various workloads, with free-tier options for new users.
Creating Virtual Machines on Azure
Azure provides a user-friendly portal for creating VMs:
Access Azure Portal: Log in to the Azure interface.
Select Configuration: Choose the operating system, VM size, and region.
Billing Structure: Azure typically offers shorter free trials compared to AWS.
While the steps are similar to AWS, Azure emphasizes ease of use, making it accessible to users new to cloud computing.
Automation in VM Creation
Manual creation of VMs becomes impractical in large-scale deployments. DevOps engineers can leverage automation to improve efficiency:
AWS Tools: Utilize AWS CLI, CloudFormation Templates (CFT), or programming with Boto3 (Python SDK).
Azure Tools: Azure CLI and ARM templates provide automation capabilities for VM creation.
Terraform: A versatile tool for managing infrastructure across AWS, Azure, and hybrid environments.
Comparison of Automation Tools
| Tool | Platform | Key Features |
| AWS CLI | AWS | Command-line tool for managing AWS. |
| CloudFormation Templates | AWS | Declarative infrastructure management. |
| Terraform | Cross-Cloud | Infrastructure-as-code for multiple clouds. |
| Azure CLI | Azure | Command-line automation for Azure. |
| Azure Resource Manager (ARM) | Azure | Declarative VM creation in Azure. |
Choosing the right tool depends on your organization's cloud strategy and integration needs.
Best Practices for VM Management
Automate Everything: Minimize manual processes to reduce errors and save time.
Choose the Right Tool: Align tools with your cloud platform and organizational goals.
Stay Updated: Cloud technology evolves rapidly; continuous learning is essential.
Conclusion
Cloud-based VMs are at the core of modern IT strategies. By understanding how to create and automate VMs in AWS and Azure, DevOps professionals can significantly improve operational efficiency. Tools like Terraform and CloudFormation empower teams to manage infrastructure effectively, paving the way for scalable and resilient applications.