Checklist for Developing the Server Image
[This topic provides preliminary content for the beta release of the Windows Azure VM role feature. To join the beta, log on to the Management Portal, click Home, and then click Beta Programs.]
The full power of a VM role occurs in stages with the base VHD image and after time a differencing VHD image. You can use the checklists in this section to create the base VHD and the differencing VHD.
Checklist for creating a base VHD
Step | Reference | |
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Install the Windows Azure SDK. |
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Create a .cer formatted certificate to enable API access to your subscription. |
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Create the base VHD that is use to initialize your VM role. |
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Install the Windows Azure Integration Components for the VM role to communicate with Windows Azure. |
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Install applications and make operating system configuration changes |
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Prepare the base VHD image for deployment to Windows Azure by running sysprep.exe. |
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Deploy the base VHD image to Windows Azure. |
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Create the service model files and deploy the package. |
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Save the base VHD to a secure folder. |
Checklist for creating a differencing VHD
Step | Reference | |
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Create the differencing VHD by using the base VHD. |
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Install applications and make operating system configuration changes. |
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Prepare the differencing VHD image for deployment to Windows Azure by running sysprep.exe. |
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Deploy the differencing VHD image to Windows Azure. |
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Change the configuration to reference the differencing VHD |