Deploying a SQL Server on Windows VM in Azure

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Deploying a SQL Server on Windows VM in Azure

One great advantage of the cloud is the ability to quickly spin up resources with minimum effort. The same holds true with database resources in Azure. In this hands-on lab scenario, you are the DBA for Awesome Company. An application has been fast-tracked for development, and you are required to provide a SQL Server backend today by close of business. This application will require instance-level features and have other software installed alongside it, so a full VM is needed. You will rise to the challenge by utilizing an image from the Azure Marketplace. This lab will help you become familiar with how to quickly provision SQL Server VMs running on Windows within Azure.

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Lab Info

Level

Beginner

Last updated

Sep 19, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Log in to the Azure Portal

Log in to the Azure Portal using the provided credentials.
Challenge

Create a SQL Server on Windows VM from the Azure Marketplace
1. In the search box at the top of the page, search for "Azure SQL", and click on Azure SQL under Services.
2. Click Create Azure SQL resource.
3. Under SQL virtual machines, select the image Free SQL Server License: SQL 2019 Developer on Windows Server 2019.
4. Click Create.
5. Select the resource group created by the lab.
6. Provide a virtual machine name.
7. Set the region as (US) West US.
8. Click Select size.
9. Select B2s, and click Select.
10. Provide a username and password.
11. For Public inbound ports, select None.
12. Click Review + create.
13. Verify all is well, and click Create.
14. Once the deployment is complete, click Go to resource.
Congratulations! You now have a fully functional SQL Server with minimal effort. You could RDP to the machine to interact with it via tools on the local server, or configure it to accept connections from remote clients.

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Pluralsight Skills

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