Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator AssociateDeploy and manage Azure compute resourcesMedium
A company is migrating an existing on-premises application to Azure. The application currently runs on a Windows Server 2019 VM and has several custom configurations and installed software that are difficult to automate via scripts. To streamline the migration and ensure consistency, you need to create a reusable template that includes the OS, custom configurations, and pre-installed software. Which Azure feature should you use?
- AAzure VM backup
- BAzure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery)
- CAzure Disk Snapshot
- DAzure Resource Manager (ARM) template
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery)
Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) allows you to manage, share, and distribute custom VM images. You can capture a VM with all its custom configurations and installed software into an image, and then use this image to create new, identical VMs, ensuring consistency and streamlining deployment.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Azure VM backup creates recovery points for a VM for disaster recovery purposes, not for creating reusable deployment templates.
- C. An Azure Disk Snapshot creates a read-only copy of a disk at a point in time. While it's a step towards creating a managed image, the Compute Gallery is the feature for managing and sharing these as reusable templates.
- D. ARM templates automate the deployment of Azure resources but don't capture the OS, custom configurations, and installed software from an existing VM into a reusable template for new VMs.
Azure Compute Gallery
A service that helps you manage and share custom VM images across subscriptions and tenants.
- Stores custom VM images (including OS, data disks, software).
- Enables consistent deployment of pre-configured VMs.
- Provides versioning and regional replication for images.
Memory trick: To share your perfect VM 'blueprint', use the Compute Gallery.