Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples

Artículo
11/19/2013

Hello Again!

Time for Part 2 of the Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell blog series (find Part 1: Intro & TOC here). And yes, this post actually has PowerShell Examples! But first, the list of what examples will be provided…

Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples

As covered in the intro post of the blog series, the following is the list of high level concept commands that will be covered in this post:

High Level Concept Commands

Establish Windows Azure Subscription Connection
Create Windows Azure Affinity Group
Create Windows Azure Cloud Service
Create Windows Azure Storage Account
Create Windows Azure Storage Container
Upload “On-Prem” VHD to Windows Azure Storage Container
Copy Windows Azure Blob
Create Windows Azure VM Image
Create Windows Azure VM

Pre-Requisites

Here is the short list of pre-requisites for this example solution:

Windows Server
A VHD file that meets the requirements to be uploaded to Windows Azure
Also see: Converting Hyper-V .vhdx to .vhd file formats for use in Windows Azure
Windows Azure PowerShell Module
Direct Download Link: https://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9811175&clcid=0x409

Establish Windows Azure Subscription Connection

Automation often requires “trust”, especially between two endpoints in any given process/scenario solution. This example is no exception. The connection between the “On-Prem” Windows Server and Windows Azure need to share a “trust”. For Windows Azure (and for this example), one of the most common ways to accomplish this is through “the certificate method” (outlined in this Windows Azure tutorial: How to install and configure Windows Azure PowerShell).

Basically, it leverages the following:

The Get-AzurePublishSettingsFile cmdlet opens a web page on the Windows Azure Management Portal, from which you can download the subscription information. The information is contained in a .publishsettings file.
The Import-AzurePublishSettingsFile imports the .publishsettings file for use by the module. This file includes a management certificate that has security credentials.

Example Script (with some instructional comments)

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Note I recommend running these commands individually (not all at once) by the groups above.

Execution Results

As part of this process, you will notice a new Management Certificate in the Windows Azure Portal:

If everything was successful, the Get-AzureSubscription results should look similar to this:

Connection Established – Moving On…

Now that we have established a good connection to Windows Azure, we can take care of the rest of the automated steps to build out the environment.

Reminder Obviously, there are other methods and concepts to be automated for Windows Azure - these are just the ones I chose for the examples in this blog series.

Setting up the Environment with a “Project Name”

There is one variable that impacts the entire script and resulting environment. This needs to be set first, and will be used throughout:

$ProjectName: This is the over-arching variable that will be used (in part or whole) throughout the example. Many other variables are set based on this value.

001	$ProjectName = "BCBDemo"

Note If you run this example all the way through as a test, you will see how pervasive this variable’s value actually is. Even if you just look through the “Execution Results” from each step it is apparent. This is for example purposes only. I wanted to simplify the scripts and number of variable inputs.

Create Windows Azure Affinity Group

First step for these examples is to create a Windows Azure Affinity Group within Windows Azure for the environment being built. There is one variable that you will want to consider updating to fit your environmental needs/requirements:

$AGLocation: The Location the Affinity Group for this Environment/Project is associated with.

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$AGName = $ProjectName $AGLocation = "West US" $AGLocationDesc = "Affinity group for $ProjectName VMs" $AGLabel = "$AGLocation $ProjectName" $AzureAffinityGroup = Get-AzureAffinityGroup -Name $ProjectName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureAffinityGroup) { $AzureAffinityGroup = New-AzureAffinityGroup -Location $AGLocation -Name $ProjectName -Description $AGLocationDesc -Label $AGLabel } $AzureAffinityGroup

Note All variable values were chosen for this example only, and can be changed to fit your project needs.

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure Cloud Service

Next up, is to create a Windows Azure Cloud Service within Windows Azure for the environment being built. There are no new unique variables that require value updates.

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$CloudServiceDesc = "Service for $ProjectName VMs" $CloudServiceLabel = "$ProjectName VMs" $AzureService = Get-AzureService -ServiceName $ProjectName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureService) { $AzureService = New-AzureService -AffinityGroup $AGName -ServiceName $ProjectName -Description $CloudServiceDesc -Label $CloudServiceLabel } Return $AzureService

Note This portion of the script depends on the previous two.

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure Storage Account

Next, is to create a Windows Azure Storage Account within Windows Azure for the environment being built. There are no new unique variables that require value updates.

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$StorageAccountName = $ProjectName.ToLower() $StorageAccountDesc = "Storage account for $ProjectName VMs" $StorageAccountLabel = "$ProjectName Storage" $AzureStorageAccount = Get-AzureStorageAccount -StorageAccountName $StorageAccountName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureStorageAccount) { $AzureStorageAccount = New-AzureStorageAccount -AffinityGroup $AGName -StorageAccountName $StorageAccountName -Description $StorageAccountDesc -Label $StorageAccountLabel } $AzureStorageAccount

Note This portion of the script depends on the previous three.

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure Storage Container(s)

Next, is to create Two Windows Azure Storage Containers within Windows Azure for the environment being built. There are no new unique variables that require value updates.

Reason for Two Storage Containers

Storage Container #1: Generic VHD Storage Container – “On-Prem” VHD will be uploaded to this container
Storage Container #2: Project Specific Storage Container – Uploaded VHD will be copied here (this is the VHD that will be leveraged for the rest of the example)

Note Creation of two Storage Containers in this example was to ensure I always had a “known good” copy of the uploaded VHD/Blob.

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#Ensure Storage Account is fully created - Sleep for 60 seconds Start-Sleep -Seconds 60 #Update the Azure Subscription Connection with the Storage Account #This makes it easier to connect to the storage account, without requiring the creation and usage of Storage Context $AzureStorageAccountName = $ProjectName.ToLower() Set-AzureSubscription -SubscriptionName $AzureSubscriptionName -CurrentStorageAccount $AzureStorageAccountName #Create Generic VHD Storage Container; VHD will be uploaded here $GenericStorageContainerName = "vhds" #Create Project Storage Container; VHD will be copied here $ProjectStorageContainerName = $ProjectName.ToLower() $StorageContainerNames = @($GenericStorageContainerName,$ProjectStorageContainerName) foreach ($StorageContainerName in $StorageContainerNames) { $AzureStorageContainer = Get-AzureStorageContainer -Name $StorageContainerName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureStorageContainer) { $AzureStorageContainer = New-AzureStorageContainer -Name $StorageContainerName } $AzureStorageContainer }

Note This portion of the script depends on the previous four.

Execution Results

Upload “On-Prem” VHD to Windows Azure Storage Container

Next, is to upload the “On-Prem” VHD to the Generic Windows Azure Storage Container within Windows Azure for the environment being built. This portion of PowerShell does require some customization, as it references the previously mentioned, “…VHD file that meets the requirements to be uploaded to Windows Azure”:

$SourceDiskName: The Name of the VHD (without .vhd extension) to be uploaded to the Generic Windows Azure Storage Container.
$SourceDiskPath: The Path of the VHD (without trailing "\") to be uploaded to the Generic Windows Azure Storage Container.

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#Set Source VHD Info $SourceDiskName = "toWindowsAzure" $SourceDiskFileExt = "vhd" $SourceDiskPath = "D:\Drop\Azure\toAzure" $SourceVHDName = "{0}.{1}" -f $SourceDiskName,$SourceDiskFileExt $SourceVHDPath = "{0}\{1}" -f $SourceDiskPath,$SourceVHDName #Set Destination Blob Info $DesitnationVHDName = "{0}.{1}" -f $ProjectName,$SourceDiskFileExt $DestinationVHDPath = "https://{0}.blob.core.windows.net/{1}" -f $AzureStorageAccountName,$GenericStorageContainerName $DestinationBlobURI = "{0}/{1}" -f $DestinationVHDPath,$DesitnationVHDName $OverWrite = $false #Upload Local VHD to the Generic VHD Windows Azure Storage Container; this will take a while $AzureBlob = Get-AzureStorageBlob -Container $GenericStorageContainerName -Blob $DesitnationVHDName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureBlob -or $OverWrite) { $AzureBlob = Add-AzureVhd -LocalFilePath $SourceVHDPath -Destination $DestinationBlobURI -OverWrite:$OverWrite } $AzureBlob

Note This portion of the script depends on the previous five.

The following is an image (not that it is really needed, but for proof) , of the file and path of the VHD I am uploading in this example:

Execution Results

Because this step takes a while, when you run the example PowerShell above, you have the opportunity to see the ongoing status within the PowerShell console. Here is a screenshot of the process, mid-execution:

Note Over a fast connection, a file of this size (7.5GB) takes about 10 minutes to upload (as seen in the results below).

Copy Windows Azure Blob

Next, is to copy the uploaded VHD (now a Windows Azure Blob) from the Generic Container (vhds) to the Project Specific Container within Windows Azure for the environment being built. There are no new unique variables that require value updates.

Note Usage of two Storage Containers in this example was to ensure I always had a “known good” copy of the uploaded VHD/Blob.

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#Set Source Blob Info for Copy $SourceBlobName = $DesitnationVHDName $SourceContainer = $GenericStorageContainerName #Set Destination Blob Info for Copy $DestinationContainer = $ProjectStorageContainerName $DestinationBlobName = "{0}_copy.{1}" -f $ProjectName,$SourceDiskFileExt $CopiedAzureBlob = Get-AzureStorageBlob -Container $DestinationContainer -Blob $DestinationBlobName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue #Copy Uploaded Blob from Generic to Project if(!$CopiedAzureBlob) { $CopiedAzureBlob = Start-AzureStorageBlobCopy -DestContainer $DestinationContainer -SrcBlob $SourceBlobName -SrcContainer $SourceContainer -DestBlob $DestinationBlobName } Return $CopiedAzureBlob

Note This portion of the script depends on the previous six.

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure VM Image

Next, is to create an Azure VM Image from copied blob within Windows Azure for the environment being built. There are no new unique variables that require value updates as $VMImageOS likely will remain “Windows” for the VHDs uploaded.

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$VMImageName = $ProjectName $VMImageBlobContainer = $DestinationContainer $VMImageBlobName = $DestinationBlobName $VMImageOS = "Windows" $AzureVMImage = Get-AzureVMImage -ImageName $VMImageName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureVMImage) { $AzureBlobMediaLocation = (Get-AzureStorageBlob -Container $VMImageBlobContainer -Blob $VMImageBlobName).ICloudBlob.Uri.AbsoluteUri $AzureVMImage = Add-AzureVMImage -ImageName $VMImageName -MediaLocation $AzureBlobMediaLocation -OS $VMImageOS } Return $AzureVMImage

Note This portion of the script depends on the previous seven.

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure VM

Next, (what we all have been waiting for!) is to create a Windows Azure VM from the Windows Azure VM Image within Windows Azure for the environment being built. This portion of PowerShell does require some customization:

$VMName: The Name of the VM being created – the example I show here is a simple numbering suffix. It is not a mask of any kind, but something that generates a sequencing integer could be created. If you are uploading a large number of VM to create Windows Azure VMs, you would likely be referencing VM Name (and most other things) from an external data source. Either way, it is up to you, this is just example naming.
$AdminUsername: The Name of the Admin User for initial login to the Windows Azure VM. This cannot be "Administrator".
$Password: The Password for the Admin User for initial login to the Windows Azure VM.
$Windows: The OS of Windows Azure VM. Again, this will likely remain “Windows” for the VHDs uploaded.
$VMInstanceSize: The VM Instance Size for the Windows Azure VM (options available, reference the following: Virtual Machine and Cloud Service Sizes for Windows Azure).
$WaitForBoot: The option to wait for the Windows Azure VM to finish "Provisioning" before releasing control back to the PowerShell console.

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$VMName = "{0}-001" -f $ProjectName.ToLower() $ServiceName = $ProjectName $AdminUsername = "AdminUser" $VMImageName = $AzureVMImage.ImageName $Password = "Pass@word1" $Windows = $true $VMInstanceSize = "ExtraSmall" $WaitForBoot = $true $AzureVM = Get-AzureVM -Name $VMName -ServiceName $ServiceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureVM -and $Windows) { $AzureVM = New-AzureQuickVM -AdminUsername $AdminUsername -ImageName $VMImageName -Password $Password ` -ServiceName $ServiceName -Windows:$Windows -InstanceSize $VMInstanceSize -Name $VMName -WaitForBoot:$WaitForBoot } Return $AzureVM

Note This portion of the script depends on the previous eight. Also, the method used to create the Windows Azure VM in this example was New-AzureQuickVM, there are other methods – Please see some examples below (after the "Putting it all together" section).

Execution Results

Because this step takes a while, you have the opportunity to see the ongoing status within the Windows Azure Portal. Here is a screenshot of the Windows Azure VM creation, mid-execution:

Note "Provisioning" durations vary.

Connecting to the Windows Azure VM

Once provisioned, it is simple to connect directly to the Windows Azure VM to test its contents.

Step 1: Select the Windows Azure VM, Click Connect

Step 2: When prompted, Open the RDP file that is presented

Step 3: When prompted, Enter the credentials you provided within the Create Windows Azure VM PowerShell Script

Step 4: Wait for the RDP Session to complete and connect you to the Windows Azure VM

Step 5: Use/Explore the Windows Azure VM

Note Obviously nothing was done to customize the network for this VM. Windows Azure Virtual Network was out of scope for this example. For more information, please refer to the following: Windows Azure Virtual Network Overview .

A Dashboard View of the created Windows Azure VM

Putting it all together

I realize this is more than “like 5 lines of PowerShell”. But in reality, if you had the Windows Azure environment already created, that number isn’t that far off. Either way, here are all the above PowerShell script portions, rolled up into one script example:

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#0.0. Perform Prerequisite Setup Steps #0.1. Download latest Windows Azure PowerShell Module: https://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9811175&clcid=0x409 #0.2. Execute: Get-AzurePublishSettingsFile; Save .publishsettings file locally Get-AzurePublishSettingsFile #0.3. Execute: Import-AzurePublishSettingsFile; reference local .publishsettings file $AzurePublishSettingsFile = "C:\Your_Local_Path\Your Windows Azure Subscription Name-MM-DD-YYYY-credentials.publishsettings" Import-AzurePublishSettingsFile -PublishSettingsFile $AzurePublishSettingsFile #0.4. Execute: Set-AzureSubscription and Select-AzureSubscription (and then, to verify Execute: Get-AzureSubscription) $AzureSubscriptionName = "Windows Azure MSDN - Visual Studio Ultimate" Set-AzureSubscription -SubscriptionName $AzureSubscriptionName Select-AzureSubscription -SubscriptionName $AzureSubscriptionName Get-AzureSubscription #1.0 Setting up the Environment with a “Project Name” $ProjectName = "BCBDemo" #2.0 Create Windows Azure Affinity Group $AGName = $ProjectName $AGLocation = "West US" $AGLocationDesc = "Affinity group for $ProjectName VMs" $AGLabel = "$AGLocation $ProjectName" $AzureAffinityGroup = Get-AzureAffinityGroup -Name $ProjectName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureAffinityGroup) { $AzureAffinityGroup = New-AzureAffinityGroup -Location $AGLocation -Name $ProjectName -Description $AGLocationDesc -Label $AGLabel } $AzureAffinityGroup #3.0 Create Windows Azure Cloud Service $CloudServiceDesc = "Service for $ProjectName VMs" $CloudServiceLabel = "$ProjectName VMs" $AzureService = Get-AzureService -ServiceName $ProjectName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureService) { $AzureService = New-AzureService -AffinityGroup $AGName -ServiceName $ProjectName -Description $CloudServiceDesc -Label $CloudServiceLabel } Return $AzureService #4.0 Create Windows Azure Storage Account $StorageAccountName = $ProjectName.ToLower() $StorageAccountDesc = "Storage account for $ProjectName VMs" $StorageAccountLabel = "$ProjectName Storage" $AzureStorageAccount = Get-AzureStorageAccount -StorageAccountName $StorageAccountName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureStorageAccount) { $AzureStorageAccount = New-AzureStorageAccount -AffinityGroup $AGName -StorageAccountName $StorageAccountName -Description $StorageAccountDesc -Label $StorageAccountLabel } $AzureStorageAccount #5.0 Create Windows Azure Storage Container(s) #Ensure Storage Account is fully created - Sleep for 60 seconds Start-Sleep -Seconds 60 #Update the Azure Subscription Connection with the Storage Account #This makes it easier to connect to the storage account, without requiring the creation and usage of Storage Context $AzureStorageAccountName = $ProjectName.ToLower() Set-AzureSubscription -SubscriptionName $AzureSubscriptionName -CurrentStorageAccount $AzureStorageAccountName #Create Generic VHD Storage Container; VHD will be uploaded here $GenericStorageContainerName = "vhds" #Create Project Storage Container; VHD will be copied here $ProjectStorageContainerName = $ProjectName.ToLower() $StorageContainerNames = @($GenericStorageContainerName,$ProjectStorageContainerName) foreach ($StorageContainerName in $StorageContainerNames) { $AzureStorageContainer = Get-AzureStorageContainer -Name $StorageContainerName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureStorageContainer) { $AzureStorageContainer = New-AzureStorageContainer -Name $StorageContainerName } $AzureStorageContainer } #6.0 Upload “On-Prem” VHD to Windows Azure Storage Container #Set Source VHD Info $SourceDiskName = "toWindowsAzure" $SourceDiskFileExt = "vhd" $SourceDiskPath = "D:\Drop\Azure\toAzure" $SourceVHDName = "{0}.{1}" -f $SourceDiskName,$SourceDiskFileExt $SourceVHDPath = "{0}\{1}" -f $SourceDiskPath,$SourceVHDName #Set Destination Blob Info $DesitnationVHDName = "{0}.{1}" -f $ProjectName,$SourceDiskFileExt $DestinationVHDPath = "https://{0}.blob.core.windows.net/{1}" -f $AzureStorageAccountName,$GenericStorageContainerName $DestinationBlobURI = "{0}/{1}" -f $DestinationVHDPath,$DesitnationVHDName $OverWrite = $false #Upload Local VHD to the Generic VHD Windows Azure Storage Container; this will take a while $AzureBlob = Get-AzureStorageBlob -Container $GenericStorageContainerName -Blob $DesitnationVHDName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureBlob -or $OverWrite) { $AzureBlob = Add-AzureVhd -LocalFilePath $SourceVHDPath -Destination $DestinationBlobURI -OverWrite:$OverWrite } $AzureBlob #7.0 Copy Windows Azure Blob #Set Source Blob Info for Copy $SourceBlobName = $DesitnationVHDName $SourceContainer = $GenericStorageContainerName #Set Destination Blob Info for Copy $DestinationContainer = $ProjectStorageContainerName $DestinationBlobName = "{0}_copy.{1}" -f $ProjectName,$SourceDiskFileExt $CopiedAzureBlob = Get-AzureStorageBlob -Container $DestinationContainer -Blob $DestinationBlobName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue #Copy Uploaded Blob from Generic to Project if(!$CopiedAzureBlob) { $CopiedAzureBlob = Start-AzureStorageBlobCopy -DestContainer $DestinationContainer -SrcBlob $SourceBlobName -SrcContainer $SourceContainer -DestBlob $DestinationBlobName } Return $CopiedAzureBlob #8.0 Create Windows Azure VM Image $VMImageName = $ProjectName $VMImageBlobContainer = $DestinationContainer $VMImageBlobName = $DestinationBlobName $VMImageOS = "Windows" $AzureVMImage = Get-AzureVMImage -ImageName $VMImageName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureVMImage) { $AzureBlobMediaLocation = (Get-AzureStorageBlob -Container $VMImageBlobContainer -Blob $VMImageBlobName).ICloudBlob.Uri.AbsoluteUri $AzureVMImage = Add-AzureVMImage -ImageName $VMImageName -MediaLocation $AzureBlobMediaLocation -OS $VMImageOS } Return $AzureVMImage #9.0 Create Windows Azure VM $VMName = "{0}-001" -f $ProjectName.ToLower() $ServiceName = $ProjectName $AdminUsername = "AdminUser" $VMImageName = $AzureVMImage.ImageName $Password = "Pass@word1" $Windows = $true $VMInstanceSize = "ExtraSmall" $WaitForBoot = $true $AzureVM = Get-AzureVM -Name $VMName -ServiceName $ServiceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureVM -and $Windows) { $AzureVM = New-AzureQuickVM -AdminUsername $AdminUsername -ImageName $VMImageName -Password $Password ` -ServiceName $ServiceName -Windows:$Windows -InstanceSize $VMInstanceSize -Name $VMName -WaitForBoot:$WaitForBoot } Return $AzureVM

Alternate Windows Azure VM Create Examples

Note As stated above, the method used to create the Windows Azure VM in this example was New-AzureQuickVM, there are other methods – Please see the following for a couple of those alternate methods.

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#Alternate Windows Azure VM Create: Example #1 New-AzureVMConfig -DiskName $DiskName -InstanceSize $VMInstanceSize -Name $VMName | ` Add-AzureProvisioningConfig -AdminUsername $AdminUsername -Windows -Password $Password -ResetPasswordOnFirstLogon | ` New-AzureVM –ServiceName $ServiceName #Alternate Windows Azure VM Create: Example #2 $VMConfig = New-AzureVMConfig -Name $VMName -InstanceSize $VMInstanceSize -ImageName $VMImageName | ` Add-AzureProvisioningConfig -Windows -Password $Password -AdminUsername $AdminUsername New-AzureVM -ServiceName $ServiceName -VMs $VMConfig –WaitForBoot

Community Built Alternate Windows Azure VM Create Example!

I would like to take the time to share something that came from the MVP Community recently – Another Alternate Windows Azure VM Creation Example… (Thank you Christopher Keyaert!)

This example highlights the ability to create a Windows Azure VM from a Disk with a VNet and Subnet defined.

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######################################################## # Define Parameters ######################################################## $ProjectName = "TestProj" $SourceDiskFileExt = "vhd" $VMInstanceSize = "ExtraSmall" $VMImageOS = "Windows" $BlobName = "{0}_copy.{1}" -f $ProjectName,$SourceDiskFileExt $BlobContainer = $ProjectName.ToLower() $DiskName = "{0}-001" -f $ProjectName.ToLower() $DiskLabel = "BootDisk" $VNetSiteName = "VNetSiteName" $SubNetName = "SubnetName" $Windows = $true $ServiceName = $ProjectName $VMName = "{0}-001" -f $ProjectName.ToLower() ######################################################## # Add a new Disk to the Windows Azure Disk Repository ######################################################## $AzureBlobMediaLocation = (Get-AzureStorageBlob -Container $BlobContainer -Blob $BlobName).ICloudBlob.Uri.AbsoluteUri Add-AzureDisk -DiskName $DiskName -MediaLocation $AzureBlobMediaLocation -Label $DiskLabel -OS $VMImageOS ######################################################## # Get Windows Azure VNet and Subnet Information ######################################################## $AzureVNet = Get-AzureVNetSite | where {$_.Name -eq $VNetSiteName} $AzureSubNet = $AzureVNet.Subnets | where {$_.Name -eq $SubNetName} ######################################################## #Create Windows Azure VM from Disk with VNet and Subnet ######################################################## $AzureVM = Get-AzureVM -Name $VMName -ServiceName $ServiceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if(!$AzureVM -and $Windows) { $VMConfig = New-AzureVMConfig -Name $VMName -InstanceSize $VMInstanceSize -DiskName $VMName | Set-AzureSubnet $AzureSubNet.Name New-AzureVM -ServiceName $ServiceName -VMs $VMConfig -VNetName $AzureVNet.Name –WaitForBoot } Return $AzureVM

Note This is an example that builds on the other scripts within this blog post. Be sure you have all pre-requisite steps completed before you attempt to implement this example.

Important If you attempt to create a new Windows Azure VM in an existing deployment with the above script you will likely get a warning like this:

Warning Text: WARNING: VNetName, DnsSettings, DeploymentLabel or DeploymentName Name can only be specified on new deployments.

Execution Results

Once again, a big Thanks to Christopher for expanding on what I published here and suggesting that I share it with the rest of the community!

Other Learnings

During the "Conversion" process from Orchestrator Runbooks to Windows PowerShell, I ran up against a few things that I had to figure out. Here are a two of those learnings (outside what you have seen above), for just in case:

Storage Context

Before I learned about Setting the Azure Subscription with a "Current Storage Account", I tried my hand at creating and leveraging a Storage Context. Once you have created a Storage Context, you can reference it and pass it as a variable to commands requiring some level of specificity when it comes to Windows Azure Storage. While I did not use Storage Context in the examples above, I figured I would give you some example PowerShell, if you decide that is the route you want to take:

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#Get Azure Storage Key and Create New Azure Storage Context if(!$AzureStorageContext) { $AzureStorageKey = Get-AzureStorageKey -StorageAccountName $StorageAccountName $AzureStorageContext = New-AzureStorageContext -StorageAccountKey $AzureStorageKey.Primary -StorageAccountName $StorageAccountName }

References

New-AzureStorageContext (Windows Azure Documentation for this command)
Get-AzureStorageContainer and Get-AzureStorageBlob (example usage of Storage Context from the Windows Azure Documentation)

Digging Deeper: Bad Request (400)

I ran into quite a few exceptions during the build out of this example solution. Needless to say, when the PowerShell screen turns red, frustration rises just a little bit (if not more than a little bit). The following command helped me dig deeper on some of the more vague errors being returned by the command failure exceptions:

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#Read Full Error Stream from Failed [Windows Azure] Command $ErrorStream = New-Object System.IO.StreamReader($Error[0].Exception.InnerException.Response.GetResponseStream()) $ErrorStream.ReadToEnd()

Note While it will not work in all cases, and while it is very generic, I found that if this is run right after a "Bad Request (400)", the "InnerText" of the Exception helped tremendously with what was actually going on. I found this originally referenced here .

Exception Handling Improved?

To get some proof of this working, I attempted to recreate the scenario where I needed to use the above commands. In my attempt to reproduce the "Bad Request (400)", I was met with actually useful and accurate errors:

That’s it! If I have any more learnings, I will add them to the upcoming blog posts.

What’s next?

So, what’s next? On to increasing complexity – Part 3 of this blog series takes what we have in this post, and transports it to a new world – Windows PowerShell Workflow!

Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell - Blog Series - Table of Contents

I broke this “Automating Windows Azure” topic up into four posts – primarily to make it easier to reference externally (based on varied interest levels).

As promised, the following is the link to the TechNet Contribution and Download for the examples (from all parts of the blog series).

TechNet Contribution and Download

The download (Hybrid Cloud Automation Toolkit - Windows Azure and PowerShell.zip) includes the following (4) files:

Provision-WindowsAzureEnvironmentResources.ps1
Provision-WindowsAzureEnvironmentResources-Workflow.ps1
Deprovision-WindowsAzureEnvironmentResources.ps1
Provision-Deprovision-Extras.ps1

Download the Hybrid Cloud Automation Toolkit - Windows Azure and PowerShell from TechNet Gallery here:

Thanks for checking out this blog series! For more information, tips/tricks, and example solutions for Automation within System Center, Windows Azure Pack, Windows Azure, etc., be sure to check out the other blog posts from Building Clouds in the Automation Track!

enJOY!

Comments

Anonymous
November 19, 2013
Hi Charles, Thank you for your post and sharing all this info ! Just a link about how to convert a VHDX to VHD for Azure with PowerShell blogs.technet.com/.../converting-hyper-v-vhdx-to-vhd-file-formats-for-use-in-windows-azure.aspx Thx Christopher
Anonymous
November 19, 2013
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
November 19, 2013
Great :-) Do you see any blocking point to not consume your script with SMA ? Could be a great solution to replace App Controller.
Anonymous
November 20, 2013
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
January 08, 2014
Over the last three “Best Practices” posts, I’ve looked at how to Plan , Build , and Deploy a Hybrid
Anonymous
January 09, 2014
Over the last three “Best Practices” posts, I’ve looked at how to Plan , Build , and Deploy a Hybrid
Anonymous
March 24, 2014
在前三篇“最佳实践”文章中，我们讨论了如何规划、构建和部署混合云 – 既然混合云已经上线运行，接下来该看看如何保持它始终在最佳状态下运行，并提供高性能
Anonymous
October 10, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
Anonymous
October 10, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
Anonymous
October 10, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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October 11, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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October 12, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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October 13, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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October 25, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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October 28, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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November 03, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
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November 25, 2014
Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples - Building Clouds Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

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Automation–Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell (Part 2): Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples

Public Cloud Environment Provisioning PowerShell Examples

High Level Concept Commands

Pre-Requisites

Establish Windows Azure Subscription Connection

Example Script (with some instructional comments)

Execution Results

Connection Established – Moving On…

Setting up the Environment with a “Project Name”

Create Windows Azure Affinity Group

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure Cloud Service

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure Storage Account

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure Storage Container(s)

Reason for Two Storage Containers

Execution Results

Upload “On-Prem” VHD to Windows Azure Storage Container

Execution Results

Copy Windows Azure Blob

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure VM Image

Execution Results

Create Windows Azure VM

Execution Results

Connecting to the Windows Azure VM

Step 1: Select the Windows Azure VM, Click Connect

Step 2: When prompted, Open the RDP file that is presented

Step 3: When prompted, Enter the credentials you provided within the Create Windows Azure VM PowerShell Script

Step 4: Wait for the RDP Session to complete and connect you to the Windows Azure VM

Step 5: Use/Explore the Windows Azure VM

A Dashboard View of the created Windows Azure VM

Putting it all together

Alternate Windows Azure VM Create Examples

Community Built Alternate Windows Azure VM Create Example!

Execution Results

Other Learnings

Storage Context

References

Digging Deeper: Bad Request (400)

Exception Handling Improved?

What’s next?

Automating Hybrid Clouds with Windows Azure and PowerShell - Blog Series - Table of Contents

TechNet Contribution and Download

Comments

Recursos adicionales