Platform X: Logging in to Virtual Machines via Azure

Logging in to Platform X Windows VM

Virtual Machines (VM)

The Azure Portal can be used to log into Virtual Machines (VM). The portal also allows you to monitor status of your virtual machine, and allows you to start and stop the machine with the user friendly interface.

You can also use the command line prompts to login to either Windows or Linux virtual machines.


First time logging in to your VM

You will receive a message from staff with login information for Platform X.

The message will contain a link to a 1Password entry containing your Azure credentials.

If you are using a Linux machine you will receive a second link with the credentials to log into the VM (if Windows it is the same as your Azure credentials).

Set up your Azure account with the temporary password provided to you via a link to 1Password sent to your email and follow steps below to login to Azure Portal.

  1. Navigate to https://portal.azure.com
    1. Image of login screen
  2. Enter the Username provided via 1Password link.
  3. On the following screen enter the temporary Password provided via 1Password link.
  4. Once successfully logged in using the temporary credentials you will then be prompted to change your password and then register additional security information, select Next to proceed.
    1. image prompting user for more information for security
  5. The next step is setting up multi-factor authentication to improve security.
    1. You can choose to use Microsoft Authenticator and download app to your phone.
    2. Alternatively, you you can choose 'I want to use a different authenticator app' and use Duo (this is used for NetID multi-factor authentication at UW-Madison).
    3. Screen shot of multi-factor authenticator choice
    4. Then set up in your app on phone and click 'Next'
    5. Screen shot of setting up account
    6. Scan QR code
    7.  Screen shot of QR Code
    8. Then enter code shown in app
    9. Screen shot of entering code from app

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Login to Azure Portal

  1. Navigate to https://portal.azure.com
  2. Login with username originally provided by the 1Password link emailed to you for Platform X.
    1. This is your NetID@platform.wisc.edu 
    2. Then enter the password you created when you first logged in to Platform X.
    3. Screen shot of Sign in for Platform X
    4. Open authenticator app on your phone (below is screen shot of Duo authenticator from phone app)
    5. Screen shot of application screen on phone

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Start VM

  1. From Azure Services select Virtual Machines
    1. screenshot of azure portal
  2. From List of VM select your machine.
    1. screenshot of azure portal VM
  3. VM Details will open.
    1. To start the VM click on start
    2. screenshot of azure virtual machine details 
    3. This will take a minute or two - be sure to wait for VM to start up 
    4. screenshot of VM starting pop up
  4. The next step is to login to the VM using Bastion
    1. This will set up a connection between your computer and the virtual machine

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Login to VM using Bastion

  1. From the main Azure Portal window go to Operations > Bastion
    1. Select Bastion on the left under Operations
  2. A window will open and you will need to enter your credentials.
    1. For Windows VMs
      • Username: {NetID}@platformx.wisc.edu
      • Authentication Type: VM Password
      • VM Password: the password you use to log into the Azure portal

      Bastion Login 

    2. For Linux VMs
      • Username: x<netid> (ex. xflikweert)
      • Authentication Type: VM Password
      • VM Password 

Log into Linux Machine

    3. Click Connect

    4. VM will start up and log you in to your Virtual Machine on a new browser tab

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      Log out of VM

      1. From start menu select Power > Disconnect
        1.  screenshot of Disconnect
        2. This will disconnect you from the VM, but does not stop the VM.
          1. Click Close  screenshot of disconnect from virtual machine
        3. You will need to use Azure Portal to Stop VM
          1. This is an important step to save resources and keep costs down for your project.
        4. If you have analysis to run you can disconnect and leave VM running to continue processing data

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      Stop VM

      1. Navigate to Azure Portal again https://portal.azure.com
      2. Login with username for Platform X.
      3. From your VM Details page select Stop
        1. screenshot of home page to stop vm
      4. Select Yes then wait a minute or two
        1. screenshot of yes to stop machine 
      5. Window will pop up to confirm machine is stopped
        1. Status will update to Stopped 
        2. screenshot of stopped machine

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      Restart VM

      You may want to restart the VM

      You can also do this from the Azure Portal

      screenshot of details page to restart

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      Keywords:
      Virtual Machine Px Azure Portal 
      Doc ID:
      131654
      Owned by:
      Niecia H. in SMPH Research Applications
      Created:
      2023-09-22
      Updated:
      2025-10-27
      Sites:
      SMPH Research Applications