6. Automating VM Creation, Nginx Installation, and Port Configuration Using a Bash Script

Overview

In this exercise, you will create a Bash script that automates the provisioning of a resource group, a VM, and the opening of port 80. You will also use a custom data file to automatically install and configure Nginx on the VM during provisioning. This exercise enables a “one-click” solution for deploying a web server.

Step 1: Prepare the Custom Data File

1. Create a file named custom_data_nginx.sh (You can use VSCode)

2. Add the following content to the file:

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

   💡 Information
   The custom data script:

   • Installs Nginx.
   • Adds a custom message to the index.html page.

Step 2: Create the Automation Script

1. Create a Bash script named provision_vm.sh

2. Add the following content to the script:

    #!/bin/bash
   
    # Variables
    resource_group="MyOneClickGroup"
    vm_name="MyOneClickVM"
    location="northeurope"
    custom_data_file="custom_data_nginx.sh"
   
    # Create a resource group
    echo "Creating resource group: $resource_group..."
    az group create --name $resource_group --location $location
   
    # Create a virtual machine with custom data
    echo "Creating virtual machine: $vm_name..."
    az vm create \
       --resource-group $resource_group \
       --location $location \
       --name $vm_name \
       --image Ubuntu2204 \
       --size Standard_B1s \
       --admin-username azureuser \
       --generate-ssh-keys \
       --custom-data @$custom_data_file
   
    # Open port 80 for HTTP traffic
    echo "Opening port 80 for HTTP traffic..."
    az vm open-port --resource-group $resource_group --name $vm_name --port 80
   
    # Retrieve public IP address of the VM
    vm_ip=$(az vm show --resource-group $resource_group --name $vm_name --show-details --query publicIps -o tsv)
   
    echo "Deployment complete! Access your server at http://$vm_ip"
   

3. Make the script executable:

   chmod +x provision_vm.sh
   

Step 3: Execute the Automation Script

1. Run the script:

   ./provision_vm.sh
   

💡 Information

The script will:

• Create a resource group.
• Provision a VM with the custom data script to install and configure Nginx.
• Open port 80 for HTTP traffic.
• Output the public IP address of the VM.—

✅ Verification Step:

Open a browser and navigate to http://<VM_Public_IP>. You should see the default Nginx page

Step 4: Clean Up Resources (Optional)

1. If you no longer need the resources, delete the resource group:

   az group delete --name MyOneClickGroup --no-wait --yes
   

💡 Information

Cleaning up resources prevents unnecessary charges and ensures a tidy Azure environment.

It might take a minute or two before the resource group is completely deleted.

Exercise Complete!

You have successfully created a “one-click” solution to deploy an Azure VM, configure Nginx, and enable HTTP traffic using Bash scripting and custom data.