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3. Automating Nginx Installation with Custom Data Scripts

Overview

This exercise introduces the use of custom data scripts to automate the installation of Nginx during VM provisioning. You will also edit the default Nginx index page to display custom content.

Step 1: Log in to Azure Portal

  1. Open a web browser and navigate to the Azure Portal.
  2. Sign in using your Azure account credentials.

Step 2: Create a Virtual Machine with Custom Data

  1. Navigate to Virtual Machines in the Azure Portal and click Create > Virtual machine.

  2. Configure the VM:

    • Subscription: Select your subscription.
    • Create a new Resource Group: LabCustomDataRG.
    • Virtual Machine Name: LabCustomDataVM.
    • Region: Same as the resource group.
    • Zone options: Select Azure-selected zone
    • Image: Select Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS.
    • Size: Choose Standard_B1s.
    • Authentication Type: Select SSH Public Key.
    • Username: azureuser.
    • SSH Public Key Source: Use an existing SSH key or generate a new one.
    • Allow selected ports and select HTTP (80) and SSH (22).

  3. Under Advanced > Custom Data, paste the content:

    #!/bin/bash
apt update
apt install nginx -y

  4. Click Review + Create, and then Create.

💡 Information

The Custom Data field allows you to execute a script during the initial boot of the VM, automating configurations and software installations.

This script:

  • Updates the system’s package list (apt update).
  • Installs the Nginx web server (apt install nginx -y).

It is important that you 1) don´t use sudo 2) make sure it is non-interactive 3) use a shebang

✅ Verification Step:

Open a browser and go to the <VM_Public_IP>. You should see the “Welcome to Nginx!” default page. This might take a minute, so be patient and refresh the page.

Step 3: Edit the Nginx Default Page

  1. Connect to the VM using SSH:

    ssh -i <private-key> azureuser@<VM_Public_IP>
    • Replace <private-key> with your private key file.
    • Replace <VM_Public_IP> with the VM’s public IP address.
    • Don´t forget to chmod 400 the key if you are on Mac or Linux

  2. Navigate to the Nginx root directory:

    cd /var/www/html/

  3. Open index.nginx-debian.html in a text editor:

    sudo nano index.nginx-debian.html

  4. Modify the content (e.g., add “Hello World” to the <h1> tag).

  5. Save and exit by pressing Ctrl+x, y, and Enter.

✅ Verification Step:

Refresh the page in your browser or rerun the curl localhost command to see the updated content.

Step 4: Clean Up Resources (Optional)

  1. In the Azure Portal, go to Resource Groups and locate LabSSHResourceGroup.
  2. Click Delete resource group.

Exercise Complete!

You have successfully automated the installation of Nginx using a custom data script and edited the default web page to display custom content.