#Azure Rescue VM Guide: Fix Failed Virtual Machines Quickly!

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a Rescue Virtual Machine (VM) in Microsoft Azure. This process is essential for troubleshooting and recovering failed or unresponsive VMs quickly. By following these steps, you'll be equipped to address issues with your Azure VMs efficiently.

Step 1: Create a Rescue Virtual Machine

1. Log into Azure Portal

   • Access the Azure Portal using your credentials.

2. Navigate to Virtual Machines

   • In the left-hand menu, select "Virtual Machines."
   • Click on "Add" to create a new VM.

3. Configure the Basic Settings

   • Choose the Subscription and Resource Group.
   • Enter a VM Name (e.g., “Rescue-VM”).
   • Select a Region where your other VMs are located.
   • Choose the Image (e.g., Windows Server, Ubuntu).
   • Select the Size of the VM based on your needs.

4. Set Up Administrator Account

   • Fill in the Username and Password for the VM access.

5. Configure Networking

   • Ensure the Network settings are configured to allow access (e.g., select the appropriate Virtual Network and Subnet).

6. Review and Create

   • Review all configurations and click on "Create" to deploy the Rescue VM.

Step 2: Attach the Failed VM Disk

1. Access the Failed Virtual Machine

   • Go back to the list of Virtual Machines and locate the failed VM.
   • Click on the failed VM to view its details.

2. Detach the Disk

   • Navigate to the Disks section of the failed VM.
   • Select the OS disk that you want to troubleshoot.
   • Click on "Detach" to remove the disk from the failed VM.

3. Attach the Disk to the Rescue VM

   • Go back to the Rescue VM you created earlier.
   • Navigate to the Disks section and select "Attach existing disk."
   • Choose the detached disk from the list and attach it.

4. Start the Rescue VM

   • Once the disk is attached, start the Rescue VM.
   • Access the VM through RDP or SSH using the credentials you set earlier.

5. Troubleshoot the Attached Disk

   • Once logged into the Rescue VM, open Disk Management.
   • Look for the attached disk to diagnose issues.
   • You can also check logs or use recovery tools to resolve the problems with the original VM.

Conclusion

Creating a Rescue VM in Azure is a straightforward process that can significantly help in troubleshooting failed VMs. By detaching the disk from the problematic VM and attaching it to your Rescue VM, you can diagnose and fix issues effectively. After resolving the issues, remember to detach the disk from the Rescue VM and reattach it to the original VM once resolved. This method ensures minimal downtime and quick recovery for your Azure resources.