Getting Started with Azure VMware Solution: Deployment and Configuration Essentials

Here’s a step-by-step Azure VMware Solution (AVS) deployment and configuration tutorial to help you set up and manage VMware workloads in Azure.

Step 1: Prerequisites

Before deploying Azure VMware Solution (AVS), ensure that:

1. You have an Azure subscription with required permissions:
   • Contributor or Owner role on the Azure subscription
   • Network Contributor role on Azure Virtual Network
   • Microsoft.Authorization/roleAssignments permission for Identity and Access
2. A pre-created Azure Virtual Network (VNet) where AVS will connect.
3. A configured ExpressRoute or VPN for on-prem connectivity (optional).
4. Ensure region availability – AVS is only available in specific Azure regions.

Step 2: Deploy Azure VMware Solution (AVS) Private Cloud

1. Go to Azure Portal
   • Open Azure Portal.
   • Search for Azure VMware Solution in the search bar.
2. Create an AVS Private Cloud
   • Click + Create to start the deployment.
   • Provide the following details:
     • Subscription: Select your Azure subscription.
     • Resource Group: Create a new resource group or use an existing one.
     • Private Cloud Name: Enter a unique name.
     • Region: Select an Azure region that supports AVS.
     • vCenter Name: Choose a unique vCenter name.
     • NSX-T Name: Choose a unique NSX-T name.
3. Configure Node Sizing and Cluster
   • Select the Node Type (AV36, AV36P, AV52, etc.).
   • Specify the number of nodes (minimum 3 nodes required).
   • Choose a CIDR range for management (e.g., 10.0.0.0/22).
   • Review and click Next.
4. Networking Configuration
   • Choose or create an Azure Virtual Network (VNet).
   • Assign the subnet for ExpressRoute.
   • Configure private connectivity for on-prem or other Azure services.
5. Review and Deploy
   • Click Review + Create.
   • Validate the settings and click Create to start provisioning.
   • Deployment can take 4-5 hours to complete.

Step 3: Access and Configure AVS

1. Connect to vCenter

Once the deployment is complete, access vCenter Server:

• Open Azure VMware Solution in the Azure portal.
• Navigate to Private Cloud → Identity → vCenter Server.
• Copy the vCenter URL and log in using the provided admin credentials.

2. Configure NSX-T Networking

• Open the NSX-T Manager in the AVS portal.
• Set up Tier-0 Gateway for north-south routing.
• Configure Segment Subnets for workloads.
• Enable Firewall Rules for security policies.

3. Configure ExpressRoute for On-Prem Connectivity (Optional)

• In Azure Portal, navigate to Networking → ExpressRoute.
• Create a new ExpressRoute circuit and link it to AVS.
• Configure BGP Peering for hybrid networking.

4. Deploy Virtual Machines in AVS

• Open vCenter and create a new VM.
• Select a compute cluster and assign resources.
• Attach a network segment configured in NSX-T.
• Install the OS and required software.

Step 4: Management and Monitoring

1. Enable Monitoring with Azure Monitor
   • Use Azure Monitor for AVS to track usage, logs, and alerts.
   • Configure Log Analytics for deeper insights.
2. Configure Backup and DR
   • Use Azure Backup or Veeam for VM protection.
   • Configure Site Recovery (ASR) for DR failover.
3. Optimize Costs
   • Right-size VMs to avoid over-provisioning.
   • Use Reserved Instances for cost savings.

Step 5: Security and Compliance

• Enable Azure Security Center for AVS.
• Configure role-based access control (RBAC) for vCenter and NSX.
• Enable NSX micro-segmentation for workload isolation.