Tutorial / Cram Notes
Moving virtual machines (VMs) from one resource group to another in Azure is a task that administrators may need to perform for various reasons such as organizational changes, compliance, or resource management purposes. To execute this task, you should be familiar with the Azure Portal, Azure PowerShell, or Azure CLI.
Using Azure Portal
- Locate the VM:
In the Azure Portal, go to the “Virtual Machines” section and select the VM you wish to move.
- Initiate the Move Process:
Once you have selected the VM, click on the “Move” option located at the top of the page, then select “Move to another resource group.”
- Select the Target Resource Group:
In the pop-up that appears, select the target subscription (if different from the current one) and resource group where you want to move the VM.
- Validate and Move:
Click “OK” to validate the move. Validation checks for any potential issues that could prevent the move. If validation passes, click “Move.” It’s important to note that dependent resources like network interfaces, disks, and public IP addresses will also be moved.
Using Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI, you need to ensure you have the latest version installed to support resource move operations.
Using Azure PowerShell
- Login and Select Subscription:
Connect-AzAccount
Select-AzSubscription -SubscriptionId 'your-subscription-id' - Move the VM:
Move-AzResource -DestinationResourceGroupName 'new-resource-group-name' -ResourceId (Get-AzVM -Name 'vm-name' -ResourceGroupName 'current-resource-group-name').Id
Using Azure CLI
- Login and Select Subscription:
az login
az account set --subscription 'your-subscription-id' - Move the VM:
az resource move --destination-group 'new-resource-group-name' --ids $(az vm show -g 'current-resource-group-name' -n 'vm-name' --query id -o tsv)
Considerations When Moving VMs Between Resource Groups
| Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Dependencies | Ensure that you move all related resources like disk, network interfaces, and other dependencies to maintain VM functionality. |
| Permissions | You must have the required permissions to both source and target resource groups. |
| Service Limits | Be aware of service limits in the subscription and region. |
| Downtime | Typically, moving a VM does not result in any downtime, but it’s important to have a backout plan in case of unexpected issues. |
After completing the move, verify that the VM is operational and accessible within the new resource group. Check all resources and dependencies to confirm that they have been properly transferred and that the networking configuration is still valid.
To sum up, moving VMs across resource groups in Azure can be done through the Azure Portal, PowerShell, or CLI, and it’s important for administrators preparing for the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator exam to be familiar with this process and its implications.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: You can move a virtual machine to a different resource group using the Azure Portal.
- (1) True
- (2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: It is possible to move a virtual machine to a different resource group using the Azure Portal by selecting the VM, clicking on ‘Move’, then ‘Move to another resource group’, and following the prompts.
When moving a VM, which of the following resources must be moved with the VM? (Select all that apply)
- (1) Network interfaces
- (2) Managed disks
- (3) Virtual network
- (4) Availability sets
- (5) All of the above
Answer: All of the above
Explanation: When moving a VM to another resource group, all its dependent resources such as network interfaces, managed disks, virtual networks, and availability sets must be moved together.
True or False: You are required to deallocate a VM before moving it to a new resource group.
- (1) True
- (2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: You do not need to deallocate the VM before moving it. Azure allows the move operation without deallocating the VM, but there may be some temporary disruption during the move process.
What is the Azure PowerShell cmdlet used to move a resource to a different resource group?
- (1) Move-AzResourceGroup
- (2) Move-AzResource
- (3) Move-AzureRmResource
- (4) Transfer-AzResourceGroup
Answer: Move-AzResource
Explanation: The cmdlet ‘Move-AzResource’ is used to move a resource to a new resource group or subscription.
True or False: After moving a VM to a new resource group, its resource ID remains the same.
- (1) True
- (2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: The resource ID for a VM changes when it is moved to a new resource group because the resource ID includes the resource group name.
Which Azure CLI command is used to move a virtual machine to a different resource group?
- (1) az resource move
- (2) az vm transfer
- (3) az vm migrate
- (4) az group move
Answer: az resource move
Explanation: The Azure CLI command ‘az resource move’ allows you to move a resource like a VM to a different resource group.
True or False: You can move VMs across different Azure regions using the move operation.
- (1) True
- (2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: The move operation doesn’t change the region of the resource; VMs can only be moved across resource groups within the same subscription and region.
What limitations should you be aware of when moving a virtual machine to another resource group? (Select all that apply)
- (1) The target resource group may have different policies and permissions.
- (2) Not all resources are moveable to a different resource group.
- (3) The source and target resource group must be in the same subscription.
- (4) The move operation can be performed an unlimited number of times.
Answer: The target resource group may have different policies and permissions; Not all resources are moveable to a different resource group; The source and target resource group must be in the same subscription.
Explanation: Different resource groups may have different policies and permissions. Not all resources can be moved, and some may require special steps. The source and target resource groups must be in the same subscription for a successful move.
True or False: The DNS settings for a virtual machine will be preserved after moving to a new resource group.
- (1) True
- (2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: DNS settings for a VM are associated with the virtual network and network interface, so they will be preserved after the VM is moved to a new resource group as long as these resources are moved together.
What happens to the role-based access control (RBAC) assignments when a VM is moved to a new resource group?
- (1) RBAC assignments are reset to default.
- (2) RBAC assignments are copied over to the new resource group.
- (3) RBAC assignments need to be manually reassigned after the move.
- (4) RBAC assignments remain intact since they are associated with the resource, not the resource group.
Answer: RBAC assignments need to be manually reassigned after the move.
Explanation: RBAC assignments are associated with the resource group levelling, and when a VM is moved, the RBAC assignments for a resource in the previous resource group do not automatically transfer to the new resource group. They need to be reassigned as necessary.
Interview Questions
Why would I need to move a virtual machine to a new resource group in Azure?
You may need to move a virtual machine to a new resource group in Azure to better organize your resources, to accommodate changes in your business operations, or to meet other operational requirements.
What are some considerations when moving a virtual machine to a new resource group?
Some considerations when moving a virtual machine to a new resource group include verifying that the virtual machine is stopped before the move, ensuring that the destination resource group has the same or higher limits for the required resources, verifying that the destination subscription is associated with the correct Azure AD tenant, checking that the virtual network and subnet are available in the destination resource group, and reviewing dependencies to ensure that all necessary resources are moved with the virtual machine.
How do I move a virtual machine to a new resource group in Azure?
To move a virtual machine to a new resource group in Azure, you can use the Azure portal or Azure PowerShell. In the Azure portal, navigate to the virtual machine that you want to move, click on the “Move” button, select “Move to another resource group,” choose the new resource group, review dependencies, and then click on the “OK” button to start the move.
What are some dependencies to consider when moving a virtual machine to a new resource group?
Some dependencies to consider when moving a virtual machine to a new resource group include the virtual network and subnet, the network interface, the availability set, the public IP address, the load balancer, and any managed disks associated with the virtual machine.
How do I monitor the status of a virtual machine move in Azure?
You can monitor the status of a virtual machine move in Azure by checking the Notifications blade in the Azure portal or by using Azure PowerShell to query the move status.
Can I move a virtual machine to a new region in Azure?
Yes, you can move a virtual machine to a new region in Azure, but this requires a different process and may involve additional considerations and requirements.
How long does it take to move a virtual machine to a new resource group in Azure?
The time it takes to move a virtual machine to a new resource group in Azure depends on various factors, such as the size of the virtual machine and the complexity of the dependencies. Generally, the process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
Can I move a virtual machine while it is running?
It is recommended that you stop the virtual machine before moving it to a new resource group. Moving a virtual machine while it is running can cause disruptions or data loss.
Do I need to back up my virtual machine before moving it to a new resource group?
It is recommended that you back up your virtual machine before moving it to a new resource group to ensure that you have a copy of the data in case of data loss or other issues.
What are some benefits of organizing virtual machines into resource groups in Azure?
Organizing virtual machines into resource groups in Azure can help you better manage your resources, maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, optimize cost and performance, and ensure high availability and disaster recovery.
Can I move multiple virtual machines to a new resource group at the same time?
Yes, you can move multiple virtual machines to a new resource group at the same time using the Azure portal or Azure PowerShell.
What happens to the IP address of a virtual machine when I move it to a new resource group?
The IP address of a virtual machine does not change when you move it to a new resource group in Azure, as long as the virtual network and subnet are available in the destination resource group.
Can anyone explain the step-by-step process to move VMs from one resource group to another in Azure?
Appreciate this post, very helpful!
I tried to move the VM but received an error saying the disk cannot be moved. Any suggestions?
Can I use PowerShell to move VMs between resource groups?
Thanks for the support!
Does moving the VM impact its downtime?
I personally prefer using CLI for these tasks. Any good examples?
The blog could have included more details on RBAC roles required for these operations.