microsoftdocs/azure-lab-services

Azure Lab Services Skill

This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Lab Services. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.

How to Use This Skill

IMPORTANT for Agent: Use the Category Index below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., L35-L120), use read_file with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., [security.md](security.md)), use read_file on the linked reference file

IMPORTANT for Agent: If metadata.generated_at is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If mcp_microsoftdocs tools are not available, suggest the user install it: Installation Guide

This skill requires network access to fetch documentation content:

• Preferred: Use mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch with query string from=learn-agent-skill. Returns Markdown.
• Fallback: Use fetch_webpage with query string from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown. Returns Markdown.

Category Index

| Category | Lines | Description | |----------|-------|-------------| | Troubleshooting | L37-L44 | Diagnosing and fixing VM access, connectivity, deployment, and lab-creation issues in Azure Lab Services, including when to redeploy or reimage VMs. | | Best Practices | L45-L53 | Governance and setup guidance for lab plans, custom images, nested virtualization, Linux graphical RDP, and preparing optimized Windows template VMs in Azure Lab Services | | Decision Making | L54-L65 | Guidance on when and how to use Azure Lab Services: choosing lab types, planning migrations (physical or to other services), cost estimation, GPU sizing, and running training or hackathon scenarios. | | Architecture & Design Patterns | L66-L72 | Core Azure Lab Services architecture, supported networking topologies, and design patterns for building reliable, resilient lab environments and lab plans | | Limits & Quotas | L73-L80 | VM capacity and core quotas for labs, how to view usage, request quota increases, and timelines for automatic VM deletion and cleanup. | | Security | L81-L95 | RBAC roles, lab creator/owner assignment, Azure Policy for compliance and VM size limits, firewall and public IP setup, and educator/student VM password management. | | Configuration | L96-L126 | Configuring Azure Lab Services: lab plans, regions, images, networking, VM templates, schedules (start/stop/shutdown), capacity, GPU/nested virtualization, and user/educator access. | | Integrations & Coding Patterns | L127-L140 | Integrating Lab Services with Canvas and Teams, automating lab creation via Bicep/PowerShell/Python, connecting labs to VNets, and remote access to Linux VMs with X2Go. | | Deployment | L141-L150 | Creating and importing Windows/Linux lab VM images (from Azure VMs, physical labs, or compute galleries), rapidly setting up/publishing labs, and migrating lab accounts to lab plans. |

Troubleshooting

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Troubleshoot Azure Lab Services VMs by redeploying or reimaging | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-reset-and-redeploy-vm | | Troubleshoot access problems for Azure Lab Services VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/troubleshoot-access-lab-vm | | Troubleshoot connectivity issues in Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/troubleshoot-connect-lab-vm | | Troubleshoot Azure Lab Services lab creation issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/troubleshoot-lab-creation |

Best Practices

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Administer lab plans and governance for Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/administrator-guide | | Recommended approaches for Azure Lab custom images | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/approaches-for-custom-image-creation | | Configure nested virtualization in Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/concept-nested-virtualization-template-vm | | Enable graphical remote desktop for Linux labs with optimal performance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-enable-remote-desktop-linux | | Best practices for preparing Windows lab templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-prepare-windows-template |

Decision Making

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Use Azure Lab Services for training scenarios | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/classroom-labs-scenarios | | Choose between lab accounts and lab plans | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/concept-lab-accounts-versus-lab-plans | | Plan migration from physical labs to Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/concept-migrating-physical-labs | | Estimate and analyze Azure Lab Services costs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/cost-management-guide | | Run hackathons using Azure Lab Services environments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/hackathon-labs | | Choose and configure GPU VM sizes for Azure labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-setup-lab-gpu | | Plan migration before Azure Lab Services retirement | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/retirement-guide | | Decide when to transition from Azure Lab Services to DevTest Labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/transition-devtest-labs-guidance |

Architecture & Design Patterns

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Understand Azure Lab Services architecture fundamentals | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/classroom-labs-fundamentals | | Select supported networking architectures for lab plans | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/concept-lab-services-supported-networking-scenarios | | Understand reliability and resiliency in Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/reliability-in-azure-lab-services |

Limits & Quotas

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Review VM capacity limits and quotas for labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/capacity-limits | | Determine Azure Lab Services quota and core usage | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-determine-your-quota-usage | | Request Azure Lab Services core quota increases | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-request-capacity-increase | | Understand automatic VM deletion policy timelines | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/vm-deletion-policy |

Security

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Assign Lab Creator role in Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/add-lab-creator | | Enforce Azure Lab Services compliance with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/azure-polices-for-lab-services | | Use Azure RBAC roles with Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/concept-lab-services-role-based-access-control | | Map role assignments from lab accounts to lab plans | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/concept-migrate-from-lab-accounts-roles | | Assign Lab Creator role for Azure Lab Services accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-add-lab-creator | | Add additional lab owners in Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-add-user-lab-owner | | Determine lab VM public IPs for firewall configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-configure-firewall-settings | | Configure firewall rules for Azure Lab Services lab VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-configure-firewall-settings-1 | | Set and reset lab VM passwords as an educator | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-set-virtual-machine-passwords | | Students resetting passwords for Azure Lab Services VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-set-virtual-machine-passwords-student | | Restrict Azure Lab VM sizes using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-use-restrict-allowed-virtual-machine-sku-sizes-policy |

Configuration

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Allow lab creators to choose lab locations in Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/allow-lab-creator-pick-lab-location | | Configure allowed regions for Azure Lab Services labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/create-and-configure-labs-admin | | Attach or detach Azure compute galleries to lab plans | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-attach-detach-shared-image-gallery | | Attach or detach Shared Image Gallery to Azure Lab Services accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-attach-detach-shared-image-gallery-1 | | Configure auto-shutdown policies for Azure Lab plans | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-configure-auto-shutdown-lab-plans | | Configure automatic VM shutdown for Azure Lab Services accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-configure-lab-accounts | | Connect lab plans to virtual networks with VNET injection | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-connect-vnet-injection | | Create Azure Lab Services labs with shared resources | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-a-lab-with-shared-resource-1 | | Define lab plans with Bicep or ARM templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-lab-plan-bicep | | Create a lab plan using Azure PowerShell | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-lab-plan-powershell | | Programmatically create lab plans using Python SDK | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-lab-plan-python | | Create and manage Azure Lab Services VM templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-manage-template | | Configure automatic start/stop schedules for lab VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-schedules | | Enable nested virtualization in Azure Lab Services templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-enable-nested-virtualization-template-vm-using-script | | Configure automatic shutdown on user disconnect for labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-enable-shutdown-disconnect | | Create, view, and delete Azure Lab Services lab plans | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-manage-lab-plans | | Configure and manage Azure Lab Services users and usage hours | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-manage-lab-users | | Manage Azure Lab Services VM pool capacity and states | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-manage-vm-pool | | Set up GPU-based labs in Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-setup-lab-gpu-1 | | Configure Windows lab VMs to prevent OS-level shutdown | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-windows-shutdown | | Allow educators to access student VMs in Azure labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/instructor-access-virtual-machines | | Configure support contact information for Azure lab accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/lab-account-owner-support-information | | Quickly configure a lab plan for your school | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/lab-plan-setup-guide | | Azure Policy built-in definitions for Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/policy-reference | | Configure allowed Azure Marketplace images for labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/specify-marketplace-images | | Specify allowed Marketplace images for Azure Lab Services labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/specify-marketplace-images-1 | | Configure advanced networking for Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/tutorial-create-lab-with-advanced-networking |

Integrations & Coding Patterns

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Connect to Linux lab VMs using X2Go | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/connect-virtual-machine-linux-x2go | | Configure Canvas LMS integration with Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-configure-canvas-for-lab-plans | | Configure Microsoft Teams integration with Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-configure-teams-for-lab-plans | | Connect Azure Lab Services labs to peer virtual networks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-connect-peer-virtual-network | | Provision Azure Lab Services labs with Bicep templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-lab-bicep | | Create Azure Lab Services labs using PowerShell Az module | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-lab-powershell | | Create Azure Lab Services labs using the Python SDK | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-create-lab-python | | Integrate Azure Lab Services with Canvas LMS | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/lab-services-within-canvas-overview | | Integrate Azure Lab Services with Microsoft Teams | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/lab-services-within-teams-overview | | Use the Az.LabServices PowerShell module for Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/reference-powershell-module |

Deployment

| Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Import Linux custom images from Azure VMs into labs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-bring-custom-linux-image-azure-vm | | Import Linux images from physical labs into Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-bring-custom-linux-image-vhd | | Create Azure Lab Services labs from Windows VM images | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-bring-custom-windows-image-azure-vm | | Migrate Azure Lab Services accounts to lab plans | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-migrate-lab-acounts-to-lab-plans | | Use Azure compute galleries to provide lab VM images | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/how-to-use-shared-image-gallery | | Rapidly create and publish a lab for students | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/setup-guide | | Import Windows images from physical labs into Azure Lab Services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/lab-services/upload-custom-image-shared-image-gallery |