DHCP Configuration
Step 10 of 1377%

Azure VM Setup (DHCP Lab)

In this step, you’ll create a single Windows Server virtual machine using the Azure Portal. This VM will be used later to install and test the DHCP Server role.

Before you start

  • You need an Azure account (portal.azure.com) with an active subscription (paid or free trial)
  • All resources in this lab are low-cost if you shut them down properly
  • You’ll be using the Azure Portal, not CLI or IaC

What this may cost

Rough estimate: $2-$5 if you run the VM only while completing the hands-on DHCP steps. Actual Azure pricing varies by region, VM size, subscription, credits, and how long you leave the lab running.

  • One Windows Server VM
  • One managed OS disk
  • A public IP, network interface, virtual network, and subnet

If you pause the lab, stop the VM from the Azure Portal and confirm it shows Stopped (deallocated).

How to stop billing

  1. In the Azure Portal, stop each VM and confirm the status is Stopped (deallocated).
  2. When you are finished with the lab, delete the entire rg-dhcp-lab resource group.
  3. Verify the resource group, VMs, disks, public IPs, and network interfaces are gone.

Deallocating stops VM compute charges. Deleting the resource group is the cleanest way to remove disks, public IPs, and other billable resources.

Step 0: Open the Azure Portal

  1. Open a browser and go to https://portal.azure.com
  2. Sign in with your Azure account
  3. Make sure you’re in the correct subscription (top-right corner)

Step 1: Create a Resource Group

  1. In the Azure Portal search bar, type Resource groups
  2. Click Create
  3. Set the following:
    • Name: rg-dhcp-lab
    • Region: choose one region and stick with it
  4. Click Review + create, then Create

Step 2: Create a Virtual Network

  1. In the Azure Portal search bar, type Virtual networks
  2. Click Create
  3. On the Basics tab:
    • Resource group: rg-dhcp-lab
    • Name: vnet-dhcp-lab
    • Region: same region as the resource group
  4. On the IP addresses tab:
    • Leave the default address space
    • Use the default subnet (no extra subnets needed)
  5. Click Review + create, then Create

You only need one VNet and one subnet for this lab.

Step 3: Create the Windows Server VM

  1. In the Azure Portal search bar, type Virtual machines
  2. Click Create → Azure virtual machine
  3. On the Basics tab, set:
    • Resource group: rg-dhcp-lab
    • Virtual machine name: dc1
    • Image: Windows Server (latest available)
    • Size: small burstable (example: Standard_B2s)
    • Authentication: username and password
  4. On the Networking tab:
    • Virtual network: vnet-dhcp-lab
    • Subnet: default
    • Public inbound ports: Allow selected ports
    • Inbound ports: RDP (3389)
    • Source: My IP
  5. Click Review + create, then Create

Step 4: RDP into the VM

  1. Open the dc1 virtual machine in the portal
  2. Click Connect → RDP
  3. Download the RDP file and sign in

Next Step

Step 12: Install the DHCP Server role.