A few questions about Azure VMs
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I'm looking into Azure VMs for purposes, and I know I want to run a Windows VM, but the options I'm seeing in Azure, I'm not sure any of them are really what I'm looking for. There's Windows Server, but the newer versions are Datacenter, and the non-Datacenter versions are old. Then there's also a Windows 10, but that's only for VS subscribers apparently.
I guess I could just go with Ubuntu Server, but I really want to run on Windows, as then there'd actually be a production deployment of what I want to run on Windows (everyone else uses Linux).
So, anyone here who knows how to navigate the minestrone that is the Azure Windows VM choices?
It strikes me that the title says 'a few questions', but I've only asked one. This is deliberate :P
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I actually have this same (or a very similar question) as I'm looking to spin up some very small windows server instances for a low-traffic project. Sorry I can't help, but I'm interested in the outcome and advice given.
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Azure Windows VMs can be quite expensive. I would look into deploying to their "Web App" anything can be run from there and you can deploy either by connecting it to your build system or publishing via VS.
If you must have a VPS. I would consider these guys. Their control panel is a bit shit, but they are cheap and I haven't had any issues.
In the UK these are quite cost effective.
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@RaceProUK said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
There's Windows Server, but the newer versions are Datacenter, and the non-Datacenter versions are old.
What's wrong with Datacenter? It seems like the same thing, just licensed differently and with a few virtualization bells and whistles.
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@lucas1 both Google and Microsoft's "web app" options don't allow C++ for some reason.
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At our company I'm using specially crafted VHDs to launch VMs. It involves powershell trickery, but essentially so long as it can run in Hyper-V, it should be good to go in Azure. Just make sure you've done your "sysprep generalize" routine before the upload.
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From what I remember the way datacenter is licensed, you only need a single license per host, no matter how many VMs you have on there.
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@lucas1 said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
I would look into deploying to their "Web App"
I would if I was running a website (and in fact have them for a couple of ASP.NET MVC sites I'm working on), but this is for SockBot, and I'm not sure Web Apps are right for that.
@Maciejasjmj said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
What's wrong with Datacenter?
Having done a bit of research, nothing. I was just confused about it initially because the Azure Marketplace is all sales-speak and no substance.
@LB_ said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
both Google and Microsoft's "web app" options don't allow C++ for some reason.
Which is a massive concern for running something that's pure JavaScript :P
@Tsaukpaetra said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
Just make sure you've done your "sysprep generalize" routine before the upload.
I don't have a local VM to upload: whatever I create will be Azure-only.
@dangeRuss said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
From what I remember the way datacenter is licensed, you only need a single license per host, no matter how many VMs you have on there.
Because it's Azure, licensing is the one thing I don't have to worry about ;)
In summary, it looks like Windows Server 2016 Datacenter is the option to choose. I'll have a play later, and report back. Or @NetBot and @MrStumpy will be active in Bot Testing :D
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I would if I was running a website (and in fact have them for a couple of ASP.NET MVC sites I'm working on), but this is for SockBot, and I'm not sure Web Apps are right for that.
WebJobs (I'm doing something similar with running exports from a SQL Server instance in the cloud).
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@lucas1 said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
WebJobs
Great for .NET stuff, not so much for Node stuff.
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@RaceProUK Great for NodeJS as well
According to Scott Hanselman:
WebJobs are deployed by copying them to the right place in the file-system (or using a designated API which will do the same). The following file types are accepted as runnable scripts that can be used as a job:
- .exe - .NET assemblies compiled with the WebJobs SDK
- .cmd, .bat, .exe (using windows cmd)
- .sh (using bash)
- .php (using php)
- .py (using python)
- .js (using node)
Unless I am missing something?
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You can also look at Cloud Services, which are a bit of a combination of the ease of use that App Service gives with the flexibility offered by VMs.
What is Azure Cloud Services (classic)
Learn about what Azure Cloud Services is, specifically that it's designed to support applications that are scalable, reliable, and inexpensive to operate.
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@AlexMedia Jesus Christ, they actually have a cloud service called "Cloud Services"? It's like they're trying to give everything horrible, unhelpful names.
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Don't get me started on the naming. However Amazon isn't any better tbh.
I find both equally confusing in either way. Most of my clients are using Azure so fuck it learn Azure and specialise in one.
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@RaceProUK said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
Which is a massive concern for running something that's pure JavaScript
Google and Microsoft's "web app" options allow Python and Java, neither of which I would consider "pure JavaScript".
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@LB_ Yes, but the software I want to run is pure JavaScript
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@LB_ I think for some reason he wants to compile on the VM itself.
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@lucas1 said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
compile
Um… the software's pure JavaScript: there's nothing to compile.
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@RaceProUK Why does node need node-gyp then?
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@lucas1 For add-ons written in native code. But I won't have anything like that, which means I won't have node-gyp.
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@RaceProUK Fair enough I misread the post.
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@anonymous234 Yeah, Microsoft's naming strategy is still pretty horrible from time to time. I also don't understand why Cloud Services aren't part of the App Service offering - the intended use is already in the bloody name!
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One thing I've just read about is something that's meant to eventually replace Azure's Cloud Services, and that's Service Fabric. Anyone got any experience with that?
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@RaceProUK said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
Service Fabric
Looked into it, and the only option is to create a cluster of VMs, and that's just so far beyond what I need, it's in the next continent.
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@RaceProUK We should just rewrite sockbot as serverless and use AWS Lamda
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@Yamikuronue
Discourse is such rainbows that no serverless bot could ever spam it.
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@RaceProUK said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
Because it's Azure, licensing is the one thing I don't have to worry about
I meant that's probably why MS is using datacenter on those boxes. Even if technically they get the licenses for free, they probably still have to account for stuff internally.
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@dangeRuss I like the idea that MS have to get licenses for the OS they make
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@LB_ said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
@RaceProUK said in A few questions about Azure VMs:
Which is a massive concern for running something that's pure JavaScript
Google and Microsoft's "web app" options allow Python and Java, neither of which I would consider "pure JavaScript".
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