Azure DevTest Labs Tutorial

Introduction

Azure DevTest Labs is a service provided by Microsoft Azure that enables developers and testers to quickly create environments in Azure while minimizing waste and controlling cost. This tutorial will guide you through the process of setting up and using Azure DevTest Labs from start to finish.

Creating a DevTest Lab

To start using Azure DevTest Labs, you first need to create a lab. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to the Azure portal.
2. In the left-hand menu, select "Create a resource".
3. Search for "DevTest Labs" and select it from the list.
4. Click "Create" to start the setup process.
5. Fill in the necessary details such as Lab name, Subscription, Resource group, and Location.
6. Click "Review + create" and then "Create" to create the lab.

Creating Virtual Machines

Once your DevTest Lab is set up, you can create virtual machines (VMs) to use within the lab. Here’s how:

1. Navigate to your DevTest Lab in the Azure portal.
2. Click on "Add" to create a new VM.
3. Select a base image for your VM (e.g., Windows 10, Ubuntu).
4. Configure the size of the VM and any other settings as needed.
5. Click "Review + create" and then "Create" to provision the VM.

Setting Policies and Cost Controls

Azure DevTest Labs allows you to set policies and cost controls to manage your resources efficiently. Follow these steps to set them up:

1. Navigate to your DevTest Lab in the Azure portal.
2. Click on "Configuration and policies" in the left-hand menu.
3. Set auto-shutdown policies to turn off VMs during non-working hours.
4. Enable quotas to limit the number of VMs or the total cost per user.

Using Artifacts

Artifacts in Azure DevTest Labs are tools or applications that you can install on your VMs automatically. To use artifacts:

1. Navigate to your DevTest Lab and select a VM.
2. Click on "Artifacts" in the VM menu.
3. Select the artifacts you want to install (e.g., Visual Studio, Git).
4. Click "Apply" to install the artifacts on the VM.

Sharing Environments

Azure DevTest Labs allows you to share environments with your team members. Here’s how:

1. Navigate to your DevTest Lab in the Azure portal.
2. Click on "Access control (IAM)" in the left-hand menu.
3. Click "Add role assignment" to assign roles to your team members.
4. Select the role and the user you want to assign it to.
5. Click "Save" to apply the changes.

Monitoring and Alerts

To monitor your DevTest Labs and set up alerts:

1. Navigate to your DevTest Lab in the Azure portal.
2. Click on "Metrics" in the left-hand menu to view the performance data.
3. Click on "Alerts" to create new alert rules.
4. Define the conditions and actions for your alert rules.
5. Click "Create alert rule" to set up the alert.

Conclusion

Azure DevTest Labs is a powerful tool for developers and testers to quickly create and manage environments in Azure. By following this tutorial, you should now be able to set up your own DevTest Lab, create and manage VMs, set policies, use artifacts, share environments, and monitor your resources efficiently.