Running Linux in the Public Cloud
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Running Linux in the Public Cloud: A Practical Guide to Microsoft Azure

Nicholas December 10, 2025
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Linux has become the dominant operating system in the public cloud, and Microsoft Azure is one of the most powerful platforms for running Linux workloads at scale. From web applications and DevOps automation to enterprise databases and containerized microservices, Azure offers a mature, secure, and globally available environment for Linux-based infrastructure. Today, more than half of all virtual machines running in Azure use Linux, a clear sign of the platform’s flexibility and enterprise readiness.

This practical guide explains how to run Linux efficiently in Microsoft Azure, why choosing the right Azure Marketplace images matters, and what best practices organizations should follow to build scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud environments.

Why Linux and Azure Work So Well Together

Microsoft Azure was originally seen as a Windows-focused cloud, but that perception has completely changed. Azure is now a fully Linux-friendly platform with native support for major distributions, strong open-source integration, and deep compatibility with cloud-native tools.

Running Linux in Azure delivers several key advantages:

  • Global infrastructure with datacenters in dozens of regions
  • Native integration with DevOps and automation tools
  • High availability through built-in redundancy
  • Advanced networking and security services
  • Flexible pricing with pay-as-you-go and reserved instances

This makes Azure an ideal public cloud platform for both startups and large enterprises running Linux-based workloads.

Choosing Linux Images from the Azure Marketplace

One of the most important steps when deploying Linux in Azure is selecting a trusted base image. Microsoft Azure provides a wide range of Linux images directly in the Azure Marketplace, maintained by both Microsoft and official distribution vendors.

Common Marketplace Linux images include:

These Azure Marketplace images come preconfigured with essential cloud components such as cloud-init and the Azure Linux Agent (waagent). They are optimized for Azure’s virtualization platform and maintained with regular security updates. Using Marketplace images significantly reduces deployment risk, improves compatibility, and simplifies long-term maintenance.

For organizations with advanced compliance or security requirements, custom Linux images can be built on top of Marketplace images using tools like Packer and distributed through Azure Shared Image Gallery.

Deploying Linux on Azure the Right Way

Running Linux in the public cloud is not the same as running Linux in a traditional data center. Azure follows a cloud-first model, meaning infrastructure is designed to be automated, elastic, and disposable.

Best practices for Linux deployment in Azure include:

  • Use Infrastructure as Code with ARM templates, Bicep, or Terraform
  • Avoid manual configuration after deployment
  • Treat virtual machines as replaceable resources
  • Store configuration in automation systems, not on individual servers

This approach allows teams to scale quickly, recover instantly from failures, and maintain consistent environments across development, staging, and production.

Automating Linux Operations in Azure

Automation is one of Azure’s biggest advantages for Linux workloads. From initial provisioning to patch management and monitoring, nearly everything can be automated.

Key automation tools include:

  • cloud-init for early boot configuration
  • Azure Automation for update management
  • Azure CLI and PowerShell for repeatable deployments
  • Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions for CI/CD pipelines
  • Ansible and Terraform for configuration and provisioning

By fully automating Linux operations, organizations reduce human error, improve security, and significantly lower operational costs.

Security Best Practices for Linux on Azure

Security is a shared responsibility between Microsoft and the customer. Azure secures the underlying infrastructure, while users are responsible for securing the Linux operating system and applications.

Best security practices include:

  • Use SSH keys instead of passwords
  • Assign managed identities for service access
  • Restrict traffic with Network Security Groups (NSGs)
  • Enable disk encryption using Azure-managed or customer-managed keys
  • Apply OS hardening standards such as CIS benchmarks
  • Monitor threats with Microsoft Defender for Cloud

When properly secured, Linux on Azure meets the strict requirements of industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.

Performance and Cost Optimization

Azure offers a wide range of virtual machine types optimized for specific workloads. Matching the right VM type to your Linux workload is critical for performance and cost efficiency.

  • General workloads: D-Series and E-Series
  • Compute-heavy tasks: F-Series
  • Storage-heavy workloads: L-Series
  • Batch processing: Azure Spot VMs

Using built-in monitoring through Azure Monitor helps identify underutilized resources and avoid unnecessary spending. Proper VM sizing, storage optimization, and autoscaling can reduce cloud costs dramatically.

Real-World Linux Use Cases in Azure

Linux powers many production-grade workloads in Azure, including:

  • Web hosting with NGINX and Apache
  • Container platforms using Kubernetes and AKS
  • DevOps build systems and CI/CD runners
  • Enterprise databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle
  • Machine learning and big data platforms

Whether you are deploying a single application or managing thousands of Linux VMs globally, Azure provides the scalability and reliability required for business-critical operations.

Final Thoughts

Running Linux in the public cloud on Microsoft Azure is no longer just an alternative to traditional hosting—it is now a mainstream enterprise strategy. With strong native Linux support, advanced security capabilities, powerful automation tools, and a rich ecosystem of Azure Marketplace Linux images, Azure makes it easy to deploy and manage Linux workloads with confidence.

By following cloud-first best practices, selecting trusted Marketplace images, automating operations, and optimizing for both performance and cost, organizations can build secure, scalable, and future-ready Linux environments that fully leverage the power of the public cloud.

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