Adding a Data Disk to a Windows Virtual Machine through the Azure Portal

In this edition of our Blog, we will be looking at step-by-step guidelines on how to add data disk and initialize it to make it usable on Azure VM.

Azure virtual machine disks can be functionally classified based on their roles and purposes within the virtual machine (VM) environment. Here's a functional classification of Azure VM disks:

Operating System Disk (OS Disk):

Function: Contains the operating system files, boot files, and system files required for the VM to start and run.

Role: Facilitates the installation, booting, and initial setup of the VM's operating system.

Data Disks:

Function: Provide additional storage space for data, applications, databases, and user files used by the VM.

Role: Separates data from the OS disk, enabling efficient management, scaling, and backup of application-specific data.

Temporary Disk:

Function: Offers fast, temporary storage for caching, scratch space, and other transient data.

Role: Supports temporary data processing needs and should not be relied upon for persistent storage.

Read-Only OS Disk:

Function: Enables creating a read-only copy of the OS disk to ensure the integrity of the OS image.

Role: Useful for scenarios where you want to prevent accidental modifications to the OS image.

Snapshot Disks:

Function: Captures a point-in-time image of a disk, including OS and data disks.

Role: Used for creating backups, data recovery, testing, and creating new VM instances from a known state.

Ultra Disks:

Function: High-performance SSD option designed for I/O-intensive workloads.

Role: Provides extremely low latency and high throughput for applications demanding top-tier storage performance.

Caching:

Function: Temporarily stores frequently accessed data for faster retrieval.

Role: Improves read performance and reduces latency by serving data from cache instead of slower storage.

Data Migration:

Function: Facilitates moving data between on-premises environments and Azure.

Role: Supports hybrid scenarios where data needs to be migrated to or from the cloud.

Custom Image Disks:

Function: Captures a VM disk as an image for creating new VM instances with the same configuration.

Role: Simplifies deployment and ensures consistency across VM instances.

Load Balancing and Scaling:

Function: Distributes workloads across multiple VM instances for improved performance and availability.

Role: Combined with shared data disks, supports scaling out applications and load balancing.

By understanding the functional roles of each type of Azure VM disk, you can make informed decisions when provisioning and configuring storage for your virtual machines. This allows you to optimize the performance, availability, and management of your cloud-based infrastructure.

Guideline on How to Add a Data Disk to a Windows Virtual Machine through the Azure Portal

Find the virtual machine

Go to the Azure portal to find the VM. Search for and select Virtual machines.
Choose the VM from the list.
In the Virtual Machines page, under Settings, choose Disks.

Attach a new disk

On the Disks pane, under Data disks, select "Create and attach a new disk".

Enter a name for your managed disk. Review the default settings, and update the Storage type, Size (GiB), Encryption and Host caching as necessary.

Select Save to attach the existing managed disk and update the VM configuration

Connect to the VM

RDP into the created VM by clicking "Select" on the Local machine as shown below.

Download the RDP file

Locate the Downloaded File

Connect the Remote Desktop Connection

Enter the created Username and Password for your VM

Click "Yes" to proceed

Initialize a new data disk

Select the Windows Start menu inside the running VM and enter diskmgmt.msc in the search box. The Disk Management console opens.

Disk Management recognizes that you have a new, uninitialized disk and the Initialize Disk window appears.
Verify the new disk is selected and then select OK to initialize it.
The new disk appears as unallocated.

Right-click anywhere on the disk and select New simple volume. The New Simple Volume Wizard window opens.

Proceed through the wizard, keeping all of the defaults, and when you're done select Finish.

Created New Data Disk Volume

The created data disk has been initialized and ready for usage.

Note:

Always remember to delete unused data disks to avoid overcharging costs.

This will be the end of our learning on Understanding how to attach new data disks to a Windows virtual machine through the Azure portal. I hope you had an informative learning journey on this topic. Stay tuned for more editions of new informative learning on this Channel.

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