Creating a Windows Server 2012 Lab

Environment using Windows Azure

Virtual Machine
Note that this walkthrough requires a valid Windows Azure Subscription - You can sign up for a free
trial from the Windows Azure Free Preview [http://aka.ms/WindowsAzureFreePreview] page. After you
have signed up for your free trial account, click the try it now button on the preview features page in
the Windows Azure management portal.

In this lab you will walk through the steps of provisioning a new virtual machine and enabling
Windows Remote Management.

Creating a New Virtual Machine

In this task you will use the Quick Create VM creation option to provision a virtual machine to be
customized.

 1. Log in to the Windows Azure Portal: Windows Azure Management Portal

[https://manage.windowsazure.com/] using your Microsoft Account.

 2. Click the +New button, then select Virtual Machine | From Gallery.

Creating a Virtual Machine from Gallery

  3. In the VM OS Selection page, click Platform Images and select Windows Server 2012
Release Candidate.

Virtual Machine OS Selection

 4. In the Virtual Machine Configuration page, specify a unique description name for the VM
Name and set both password boxes to a password of your choosing. Leave the VM Size with
Small value.

Virtual Machine Configuration Page

  5. In the VM Mode page, select Standalone Virtual Machine and set the DNS Name to a
unique DNS name that you will use for connecting to this new virtual machine. Leave the
remaining fields with their default values.

Virtual Machine Mode page

 6. Finally, leave the VM Options page with the default values and finish the VM wizard.

 7. Wait until your Virtual Machine is created, you can check its status in the Virtual Machines
page within Windows Azure Management portal. Then, click your Virtual Machine name to
open the Dashboard.

Virtual Machine Created

 8. In the bottom menu, click Connect to download an .rdp file to connect to the VM using
Remote Desktop Connection.

Connecting to the Virtual Machine

Note: When asked for Login, specify the Administrator user account with the same password
credentials you supplied in step 4 above.
You now have a new virtual machine that you can use for testing Windows Server 2012 Release
Candidate in a lab environment!

Questions or Feedback?

Please send me your feedback on this lab guide. I’d love to hear your suggestions for improvements
and if you’ve found value in this resource.

I hope this helps as an aid in your preparation for learning Windows Server 2012. Good luck!

Keith

Keith Mayer | IT Evangelist @ Microsoft | kmayer@microsoft.com

MCSA: 2008, MCITP:SharePoint 2010, MCITP:2008, MCSE 2003, MCTS:Virtualization, MCTS:System Center, MCLC, MCT,
MCNE, CNI, CCNP, CCDA, CCEA, CCSA, PCLP, CLI, ICSE, ACE, ASE, CTT+, Project+
O: 425.703.1826 | M: 425.495.7633