Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator AssociateDeploy and manage Azure compute resourcesHard
A company wants to migrate an existing on-premises application that runs on a Windows Server VM to Azure. The application requires specific registry settings and custom installed components that are not available in standard Azure Marketplace images. You need to create an Azure virtual machine that includes all these configurations and can be used as a template for future deployments.
- ADeploy a new VM from a standard Azure Marketplace image and manually apply all configurations after deployment.
- BCreate a new VM from scratch in Azure, install all components, then create a snapshot of its data disk.
- CUse Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates to define the VM and use Custom Script Extensions to apply all configurations.
- DCapture a generalized image of the existing on-premises VM after sysprepping it and upload it to Azure as a managed image.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Capture a generalized image of the existing on-premises VM after sysprepping it and upload it to Azure as a managed image.
Capturing a generalized (sysprepped) image of a pre-configured on-premises VM and uploading it to Azure as a managed image is the most direct and efficient way to create a 'template' VM that includes all specific registry settings and custom components for future deployments.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Manually configuring each VM is inefficient and error-prone, counter to creating a template.
- B. Creating a new VM and snapshotting only its data disk doesn't capture the OS and its configurations, making it unsuitable for a full VM template.
- C. While ARM templates and Custom Script Extensions can automate configuration, re-creating all custom components and registry settings via scripts can be complex and time-consuming, especially for existing applications.
Azure Managed Image
A resource in Azure that allows you to capture a snapshot of a generalized (sysprepped) virtual machine's operating system and data disks, enabling you to create identical VMs from that image.
- Used for creating 'golden images' or templates.
- VM must be generalized (sysprepped for Windows) before capture.
- Simplifies consistent deployment of multiple VMs.
- Can be shared across subscriptions or tenants.
Memory trick: Sysprep a Source, Save as Image.