Snapshots and Images¶
Capturing snapshots and managed images enables backup and rapid deployment workflows. Azure Compute Gallery provides a scalable way to share images across subscriptions.
Snapshot vs. Image vs. Gallery Comparison¶
| Feature | Snapshot | Managed Image | Compute Gallery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use Case | Backup/Restore | Single VM Capture | Enterprise Distro |
| Scope | One Resource Group | One Region | Multi-Region |
| Versioning | None | Limited | Full Support |
| Replication | Regional | Regional | Global |
Golden Image Workflow¶
graph TD
A[Build Base VM] --> B[Configure Apps]
B --> C[Security Hardening]
C --> D[Sysprep / Deprovision]
D --> E[Capture Image]
E --> F[Push to Gallery]
F --> G[Scale Deployments]
G --> H[Maintain Versions]Tip
Use incremental snapshots to reduce storage costs while maintaining frequent point-in-time recovery points.