Step-by-Step Guide: Connecting a Data Disk to a windows Virtual Machine on Azure Portal

INTRODUCTION

In today's cloud-driven landscape, harnessing the power of Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) to their fullest potential involves effectively managing data storage. One pivotal aspect is attaching managed data disks, a crucial step in optimizing VM functionality within the Azure ecosystem. In this comprehensive guide, we'll navigate the Azure Portal together, unveiling the step-by-step process of connecting and configuring a managed data disk to a Windows VM. Harness the potential of Azure's capabilities as we explore this essential procedure, empowering you to enhance your VM's storage capacity seamlessly and efficiently.

Step 1: Signing in to the Azure portal

1. Go to the Azure portal at https://portal.azure.com in a web browser.

2. Enter your Azure account email address.

3. Type in your password.

4. If required, complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) steps.

5. Click the "Sign In" button.

6. You'll now have access to the Azure portal for managing your Azure resources.

Step 2: Addition of a data disk

Adding a data disk involves incorporating an extra storage unit into a system or platform, expanding the storage capacity available for storing files, applications, or other data-related purposes.

1. On the search bar, type virtual machine, then look through to choose virtual machines.

   

   1. Navigate through the list of virtual machines and Choose one virtual machine from the options available.

      

   2. Access the Virtual machine pane then, locate and click on the "Disks" option within this pane. This action allows you to manage and modify disk settings associated with the selected virtual machine.

      

      1. On the data disk section, opt for create and attach a new disk in other to create and link a fresh disk.

         

      2. In the provided drop-down menus associated with the creation of the new disk, proceed to specify

         a. LUN: The data disk's special number. It helps tell one disk from another when they're connected to a VM. Each disk needs its own unique number.

         b. Disk name: Specify the name to help know which disk is which

         c. Storage type: Storage type refers to the different performance and pricing tiers available for storing data within the virtual machine. These storage types include Standard HDD, Standard SSD, and Premium SSD.

         d. Size: Refers to the storage capacity allocated to a specific disk attached to a virtual machine.

         

      3. Click "Apply" to generate the fresh data disk.

         A new data disk "Financedisk" has been created in the "WindowsVm" virtual machine.

         

         Step 3: Preparing the new data disk for use

         When you first start a new data disk, you're basically getting it all ready to use. This means setting it up and connecting it to wherever it needs to be, like a computer or a storage place.

         1. Connect to the Virtual Machine.

            

            

         2. Inside the running Virtual Machine, open the Disk Management console by typing "disk management" into the search box located in the Windows Start menu. Choose the option "create and format hard disk partitions"

            

         3. Disk Management detects a new, uninitialized disk, prompting the appearance of the Initialize Disk window. Ensure that the new disk is chosen and then click OK to initialize it.

            

         4. The newly added disk is displayed as unallocated. Right-click on the disk, then select "New simple volume" to launch the New Simple Volume Wizard window.

            

         5. Continue following the wizard's steps, keeping the default settings, and once completed, click on "Finish."

            

         6. Right-click on the disk, then select "Format"

            

         7. A notification window pops up, indicating the requirement to format the new disk for use. Check "Perform a quick Format", then click "OK".

         8. A prompt appears, advising that formatting the disks will erase all data. Choose OK to proceed.

            

            

         9. After formatting finishes, click on OK.