An administrator needs to create multiple Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) that are identical, including the operating system, installed applications, and specific configurations. These VMs will be deployed frequently across different subscriptions within the same Azure Active Directory tenant. What is the most efficient method to achieve this goal?
- AUse Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates with custom scripts.
- BCreate a managed image and store it in an Azure Compute Gallery.
- CCreate each VM manually from the Azure Marketplace.
- DDeploy VMs using Azure Site Recovery from a backup.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Create a managed image and store it in an Azure Compute Gallery.
Creating a managed image and storing it in an Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) allows for centralized management and sharing of custom VM images across subscriptions and even tenants. This is the most efficient way to deploy identical, pre-configured VMs frequently. Manual creation is inefficient. ARM templates with custom scripts are good for automation but don't centralize the 'golden image'. Site Recovery is for disaster recovery, not image deployment.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. ARM templates with custom scripts can automate deployment but do not provide a centralized, versioned 'golden image' for consistent, repeated deployments across subscriptions.
- C. Creating each VM manually is time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies, making it inefficient for frequent deployments of identical VMs.
- D. Azure Site Recovery is a disaster recovery service and is not intended for the routine deployment of new, identical VMs from a custom base image.
Azure Compute Gallery
A service that allows you to manage, share, and distribute custom VM images across Azure subscriptions and tenants, providing versioning and regional replication.
- Centralized repository for custom VM images (managed images).
- Enables sharing of images across subscriptions, resource groups, and Azure AD tenants.
- Supports image versioning and regional replication for high availability and faster deployments.
- Simplifies the deployment of consistent, identical VMs for large-scale or frequent use cases.
Memory trick: Gallery: Great for Grouping and Global distribution of images.