What's on my Mind
CULTURE
That's a great question! The difference lies in how you interact with the virtual machine (VM) and what you can do with it. Here's why you typically need a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or SSH connection for accessing Azure VMs instead of just using the Azure portal:
1. Azure Portal is for Management, Not Direct Access
The Azure portal is designed for managing Azure resources, such as creating VMs, configuring settings, and monitoring resource health.
It doesn't give you full operating system-level access to the VM.
You can perform basic tasks like resetting passwords or accessing the serial console, but these are more for troubleshooting.
2. Remote Desktop Connection for Full OS Access
When you connect via RDP (for Windows) or SSH (for Linux), you are essentially accessing the VM as if it were a local computer.
You can interact directly with the operating system, install applications, configure software, and run commands.
This level of access isn't possible through the portal.
3. User Experience
Using RDP or SSH gives you a familiar desktop or terminal environment to work in.
The portal only provides limited interfaces, such as the serial console or browser-based Azure Bastion, which may not support full GUI applications or certain tasks.
4. Security and Flexibility
By using RDP or SSH, you're connecting through secure protocols designed for managing servers. These methods are better suited for regular use and application interaction.
Azure portal access should generally be limited to administrative or occasional management tasks.
In summary, think of the Azure portal as the control panel for managing your VM and RDP/SSH as the direct link to the machine itself, where you can work on the OS level. If you're looking for portal-based access with a graphical interface, Azure Bastion might be an alternative to explore!
