How to Create a Windows Server in Microsoft Azure and Install IIS Server using a powershell

Introduction
Microsoft Azure offers a highly scalable and efficient platform for deploying Windows Server instances. One frequent use case is to configure a Windows Server with Internet Information Services (IIS) to host websites and applications. This article explains how to setup a Windows Server on Azure and install IIS.

Step 1: Log into Azure Portal

• Navigate to Azure Portal and log in with your credentials.

• On the homepage, click on Create a resource.

• Create and review

Step 2: Create a Windows Server Virtual Machine (VM)

• On the homepage, search Virtual Machine and click create

Fill in the required details

• Subscription: Select your active Azure subscription.

• Resource Group: Choose an existing resource group or create a new one.

• Virtual Machine Name: Provide a unique name for the VM.

• Region: Choose the nearest or preferred Azure region.

• Availability options: Choose the default (Availability zone)

• Zone options: Choose the default self-selected zone

• Availability zone: Choose any zone of your choice depending on the cost

• Image: Select the version of Windows Server (e.g., Windows Server 2022 Datacenter).

• Size: Select an appropriate VM size based on your workload.

Configure Administrator Account:

• Provide a username and strong password.

• Under Inbound Ports, allow RDP (3389) and HTTP (80) for remote desktop access.

• Click Next: Disks and configure storage as per requirements (leave at defaults if neccessary).

• Click Next: Networking and configure the Virtual Network and Subnet (for practice purpose leave it at its defaults).

• On monitoring: On Boot diagnostics, for practice purposes, click on disable to avoids unnecessary Azure storage costs or monitoring from Microsoft. Again, disabling it speeds up the virtual machine (VM) creation.

• Tags: Give tag a name and value

• Click Review + Create, validate settings, and click Create.

Step 3: Connect to Windows Server

• Once deployment is complete, go to the Virtual Machines section.

• On the Windows server overview, click on the public ip address to extend the minutes of the idle timeout of the window server created

• Select your newly created VM and click on connect.

• Click Connect.

• click on select and wait on the right page showing validating to change to configured

• Click Download the RDP file and open it.

• Click on check access to change to accessible (otherwise your IIS server that will be installed on PowerShell will not open in any browser)

• Download the RDP file and click on connect.

• Log in using the credentials set during VM creation.

• Enter your administrator credentials when prompted.

• You now have a Windows Server 2020.

Step 4: Install IIS (Internet Information Services)

• Open PowerShell on the Windows server and run the following command to install IIS: Install-WindowsFeature -name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools

• Wait for the installation to complete.

• Once installed, verify the installation by checking the IIS service: Run the command Get-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server to verify the installation

Step 5: Verify IIS Installation

• Copy the public IP of the window server; note the public address is now showing accessible.

• Open a web browser and paste the ip address, If IIS is installed correctly, the default IIS Welcome Page should appear.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up a Windows Server in Microsoft Azure and installed IIS for web hosting. You may now host and administer websites or applications on your Azure-based Windows Server. For more complex options, look into custom domain setup, SSL certificates, and firewall policies.