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Labs

Use Azure CLI to Create a Virtual Machine

In this lab we walk through how to use the Azure CLI (`az cli`) to create a Virtual Machine within a Virtual Network in Azure. This beginner level hands-on lab covers several concepts, including: * Azure CLI syntax * Azure CLI help * Azure CLI default and assumed parameters This hands-on lab uses the Azure Cloud Shell, so you don't have to install any software and can follow along from work or at home using the web browser.

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Lab platform
Lab Info
Level
Beginner
Last updated
Sep 23, 2025
Duration
2h 0m

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Table of Contents
  1. Challenge

    Create a Virtual Network

    Create a Virtual Network using Azure CLI and the following settings:

    • Virtual Network
      Resource Group: Existing resource group
      Name: test1vnet
      Address prefix: 10.0.0.0/16
      Subnet name: subnet1 Subnet prefix: 10.0.1.0/24

    Use the below instructions as a guide (refer to the video for complete steps):

    Note: The resource group has already been created for you.

    1. Login to the Azure Portal using the credentials provided
    2. Navigate to the Cloud Shell, using the >_ icon in the toolbar
    3. Ensure you are using Bash for the Azure CLI
    4. Identify the existing Resource Group: az group list
    5. Create the Virtual Network: az network vnet create
    6. Create a Subnet: az network vnet subnet create

    Note: az login is not required when using Cloud Shell within the Azure Portal, as the session authenticates as the user you are logged in as. You will need to use this command if connecting to Azure using Azure CLI on your own machine.

  2. Challenge

    Create a Virtual Machine

    Create a Virtual Machine using Azure CLI and the following settings:

    • Virtual Machine
      Resource Group: Existing resource group
      Name: test1vm
      Image: Debian11
      Size: Standard_B2ms
      Admin Username: azureuser
      Admin Password: You may use your own password Network Security Group (NSG): Use the existing NSG

    Use the below instructions as a guide (refer to the video for complete steps):

    Note: The resource group has already been created for you.

    1. Login to the Azure Portal using the credentials provided
    2. Navigate to the Cloud Shell, using the >_ icon in the toolbar
    3. Ensure you are using Bash for the Azure CLI
    4. Identify the existing Resource Group: az group list
    5. Create the Virtual Machine: az vm create

    Note: when you complete this command using the multi-line backslash (\), be sure to press enter on your keyboard after you type \ so this does actually span multiple lines.

    Note: az login is not required when using Cloud Shell within the Azure Portal, as the session authenticates as the user you are logged in as. You will need to use this command if connecting to Azure using Azure CLI on your own machine.

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