Creating virtual machines (VMs) is fundamental for cloud computing, enabling businesses to run applications and manage workloads efficiently. This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating VMs on three major cloud platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your cloud expertise, this guide covers everything you need to start.

Introduction to AWS Cloud Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leading cloud service provider offering a wide range of cloud computing services, including storage, databases, analytics, and more. AWS is known for its scalability, reliability, and extensive service offerings that cater to various business needs.

How to Launch an EC2 Instance: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Launching an Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instance on AWS is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:

  1. Sign in to AWS Management Console: Navigate to the AWS Management Console and log in with your credentials.
  2. Open the EC2 Dashboard: In the console, search for “EC2” and open the EC2 Dashboard.
  3. Launch Instance: Click on the “Launch Instance” button.
  4. Choose an Amazon Machine Image (AMI): Select an AMI that suits your needs (e.g., Amazon Linux 2 AMI).
  5. Choose an Instance Type: Based on your requirements, select the instance type (e.g., t2.micro for the free tier).
  6. Configure Instance: Configure instance details such as the number of instances, network settings, and IAM role.
  7. Add Storage: Configure storage settings, including the type and size of the volume.
  8. Add Tags: Add tags to organize your instances.
  9. Configure Security Group: Set up security group rules to control inbound and outbound traffic.
  10. Review and Launch: Review your settings and click “Launch.” You can choose an existing key pair or create a new one for SSH access.
  11. Access Your Instance: Once the instance runs, you can access it via SSH using the key pair.

AWS CLI: Example Code for Creating an EC2 Instance

Using the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), you can create an EC2 instance with a simple command. Here is an example:

aws ec2 run-instances \

    –image-id ami-0abcdef1234567890 \

    –count 1 \

    –instance-type t2.micro \

    –key-name MyKeyPair \

    –security-group-ids sg-0123456789abcdef0 \

    –subnet-id subnet-6e7f829e

Introduction to Microsoft Azure Cloud Services

Microsoft Azure is another top cloud service provider known for its robust infrastructure and comprehensive suite of services. Azure supports various programming languages, tools, and frameworks, making it a versatile business choice.

How to Set Up a Virtual Machine on Azure: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Creating a VM on Azure involves the following steps:

  1. Sign in to Azure Portal: Go to the Azure Portal and sign in with your credentials.
  2. Create a Resource Group: Resource groups help organize and manage resources. Click on “Resource groups” and create a new one.
  3. Create a Virtual Machine: Navigate to “Virtual machines” and click “Add.”
  4. Configure Basics: Fill in basic details like subscription, resource group, and VM name.
  5. Choose an Image: Select an image from the Azure Marketplace (e.g., Ubuntu Server).
  6. Select VM Size: Choose a VM size based on your workload requirements.
  7. Configure Administrator Account: Set up the admin username and SSH public key or password.
  8. Configure Networking: Set up networking options, including virtual network, subnet, and public IP.
  9. Configure Management, Monitoring, and Advanced Settings: Configure additional settings as needed.
  10. Review and Create: Review the configuration and click “Create.”

Azure CLI: Example Code for Deploying a VM

With the Azure CLI, you can deploy a VM using the following command:

az vm create \

  –resource-group MyResourceGroup \

  –name MyVM \

  –image UbuntuLTS \

  –admin-username azureuser \

  –generate-ssh-keys

Introduction to Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is known for its innovative solutions and high-performance infrastructure. GCP offers a wide range of services for computing, storage, machine learning, and more.

How to Create a VM Instance on GCP: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow these steps to create a VM instance on GCP:

  1. Sign in to Google Cloud Console: Access the Google Cloud Console and sign in with your Google account.
  2. Select a Project: Choose an existing project or create a new one.
  3. Navigate to Compute Engine: Go to the “Compute Engine” section and click “VM instances.”
  4. Create Instance: Click on “Create instance.”
  5. Configure Instance: Fill in details like name, region, zone, machine type, and boot disk.
  6. Configure Networking, Disks, and Management: Customize networking, disk options, and other settings as needed.
  7. Create: Click “Create” to launch your VM instance.

GCP CLI: Example Code for Creating a VM Instance with gcloud

You can create a VM instance using the gcloud CLI with this command:

gcloud compute instances create my-instance \

    –image-family=debian-10 \

    –image-project=debian-cloud \

    –machine-type=n1-standard-1 \

    –zone=us-central1-a

Conclusion

Creating virtual machines on AWS, Azure, and GCP is a crucial skill for leveraging the power of cloud computing. Each platform offers unique features and capabilities, making them suitable for various business needs. By following the step-by-step tutorials and utilizing the CLI commands provided, you can efficiently deploy and manage VMs across these major cloud platforms.

References

Launch a Linux Virtual Machine

Launch a Windows Virtual Machine in Amazon Lightsail