---
title: "Install cloudSwXtch on Azure via Marketplace"
slug: "install-cloudswxtch-azure-marketplace"
updated: 2026-02-13T19:48:38Z
published: 2026-02-13T19:48:38Z
canonical: "docs.swxtch.io/install-cloudswxtch-azure-marketplace"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.swxtch.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install cloudSwXtch on Azure via Marketplace

> [!NOTE]
> **WHAT TO EXPECT**
> 
> **In this section**, users will learn how to deploy a cloudSwXtch in their Azure environment through the Marketplace method.

> [!TIP]
> Installing cloudSwXtch via Template
> 
> The best method for deploying a cloudSwXtch on Azure is via a template. For more information on this method, please review the [Install cloudSwXtch on Azure](/v2/docs/azure-cloudswxtch-installation) guide.

> [!WARNING]
> Prerequisites
> 
> Before starting, ensure that the existence of a subnet, checking the [Validate Subnets on Azure](/v2/docs/validate-subnets-on-azure) page. Return to this page after completing that preliminary step.

#### Creating a Virtual Machine

1. **Log in to the Azure Portal.**The following permissions are needed to create and manage virtual machines, and to create Managed Applications.
  - **virtual-machine-contributor**: To create and manage virtual machines.
  - **managed-application-contributor-role:** To create Managed Applications.
2. **Select Marketplace**.
3. **Search** for **cloudswXtch**.
4. **Select** a plan. For more information, see: [cloudSwXtch System Requirements](/v2/docs/cloudswxtch-prerequisites).
5. **Click** on the **cloudSwXtch VM Image** drop-down menu to select a plan. **Please note**: A BYOL instance will require users to obtain a license from swXtch.io. For more information, see the [Licensing cloudSwXtch](/v2/docs/licensing-cloudswxtch) page.

> [!WARNING]
> cloudSwXtch BYOL
> 
> It is recommended that users select **cloudSwXtch BYOL**, which allows for more customizability including expanded bandwidth, increased endpoint limit and additional licensable features. Users will need to request a license from support@swxtch.io. For more information, please see [cloudSwXtch System Requirements](/v2/docs/cloudswxtch-prerequisites).

![Azure_marketplace-listing_2024Q1](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/Azure_marketplace-listing_2024Q1.png)

**Create a virtual machine** will open with the selected plan. If the plan was not selected in the previous screen, then the following screen will open to choose a plan.

![Azure_marketplace-listing-page_2024Q1](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/image-1707426469802.png)
6. Select****either **Create** or **Start with a pre-set configuration**.

NOTE

swxtch.io is just using the standard Azure Marketplace VM from Image method. This document will not go over all the tabs and fields in the tabs, as they are not cloudSwxtch specific. Some things of note in the Azure Marketplace VM image creation are as follows:

  - The **Start with a pre-set configuration** vs **Create** will eventually lead to the same UI where there are many tabs to enter data. However, the **Start with a pre-set configuration** will fill in certain fields based on the user's selections. For example, in the **Basics** tab, it will fill in **Boot diagnostics**, **Availability options**, and **Size**. In addition, the **Disks** tab will fill in the OS disk type.
  - **REMINDER**: This Marketplace method will only create one NIC. The second required NIC will need to be added after creation.
7. Follow the tabs and make appropriate selections – there are a number of fields that have to be filled in to create a cloudSwXtch instance.
8. In the **Basics**tab**,**select****a **Subscription.**
9. Choose****(or create) a **Resource Group**.
10. Assign****the **Virtual Machine Name**. This name must be unique and should reflect what the VM is for. For example: cloudswxtch-001
11. Select****a **Region**.
12. Confirm the **Image** is the correct one you selected when choosing a plan: **cloudSwXtch BYOL** or **cloudSwXtch PAYG**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/Azure_marketplace_Basics1.png)
13. Select the **Software Version**. The most common choice is **latest**, which will use the most recent software release for this instance. For more control, a specific release version can be entered.
14. Continue on the **Networking** Tab.

Networking Tab

The cloudSwXtch instance must be associated with a virtual network, and the virtual network can have one or two subnets. In the latter case, one for the control plane and one for the data plane traffic.

This user interface only allows the configuration of one network interface (NIC), and that must be the control subnet. The steps below will describe how to add a second NIC after creation. That interface can be configured to use the same control subnet (single subnet mode) or the data subnet. See “System Requirements” above for details.

1. Enter in the Virtual Network.
2. Enter in the control subnet.
3. Optional: Change Public IP to None.
4. OPTIONAL: **Delete public IP and NIC when VM is deleted**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/Azure_marketplace_Networking.png)

1. Select **Review and Create**.
2. Carefully****review the **plan pricing**.
3. Read the **Terms & Conditions**.
4. Select **I agree** when ready. **Note:** The creation will take 2-3 minutes depending on Azure varieties.

#### Creating the Second NIC (REQUIRED)

1. Navigate to the newly created VM by selecting the **Go to Resource** button.
2. Click **Stop** at the top of the toolbar.
3. Select **Yes** when prompted.
4. Click **Networking** on the left-hand side under settings. Alternatively, you can select **Networking** in the main Properties page.

![CloudSwXtch create swxtch from Marketplace - 3nd screen - stop and go to Networking](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/CloudSwXtch%20create%20swxtch%20from%20Marketplace%20-%203nd%20screen%20-%20stop%20and%20go%20to%20Networking.png)
5. Select **Attach network interface**.

![CloudSwXtch create swxtch from Marketplace - 4th screen - attach network interface](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/CloudSwXtch%20create%20swxtch%20from%20Marketplace%20-%204th%20screen%20-%20attach%20network%20interface.png)
6. Select **Create and attach network interface**.
7. Select a **Resource Group**under **Project Details**.
8. Enter a **Name**under **Network Interface**. It is recommended to use a meaningful name, like vm-swxtch400-data
9. Select a **Subnet**. You can either choose the same control plane subnet or, if you have decided to use a data subnet, pick that one.**Please note:**You can optionally change other data.
10. Select **Create.**

![CloudSwXtch create swxtch from Marketplace - 5th screen - create network interface](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/CloudSwXtch%20create%20swxtch%20from%20Marketplace%20-%205th%20screen%20-%20create%20network%20interface.png)
11. Refresh the screen after completing the form, and the second network adapter should be added in a second tab.

#### Enabling "Accelerated Networking" (REQUIRED)

The newly created Network Interface needs to be updated to enable **Accelerated Networking**. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Select the DATA **Network Interface**.
2. Click the blue link to the **Network Interface**.

![CloudSwXtch create swxtch from Marketplace - 6th screen - Update Network Interface - disabled](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/CloudSwXtch%20create%20swxtch%20from%20Marketplace%20-%206th%20screen%20-%20Update%20Network%20Interface%20-%20disabled.png)
3. Click **Edit accelerated networking**.

![CloudSwXtch create swxtch from Marketplace - 6th screen - Update Network Interface - Edit accelerated networking](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/CloudSwXtch%20create%20swxtch%20from%20Marketplace%20-%206th%20screen%20-%20Update%20Network%20Interface%20-%20Edit%20accelerated%20networking.png)
4. Select **Enable**.
5. Select **I have validated that the operating system supports accelerated networking**.
6. Click **Save**.

![CloudSwXtch create swxtch from Marketplace - th screen - Update Network Interface - Edit accelerated networking-enable](https://cdn.document360.io/84c5db44-f675-4f33-a980-5d3fc63073ca/Images/Documentation/image-1703191382274.png)
7. **Start** the VM for use.

#### Required Step for BYOL: Request a License from swXtch.io

Users deploying a BYOL instance of cloudSwXtch will need to contact swXtch.io for a license file. For more information, see [How to License a cloudSwXtch](/v2/docs/how-to-license-a-cloudswxtch).

**Important**

If this is a new install, then each client that is expected to get traffic from the cloudSwXtch or send to the cloudSwXtch will need an xNIC installed. If this is an existing install, then each client with an xNIC already installed will need to be upgraded. Please see [xNIC Installation](/v2/docs/xnic-installation).