---
title: "cloudSwXtch on Azure"
slug: "cloudswxtch-on-azure"
updated: 2025-12-19T20:04:47Z
published: 2025-12-19T20:04:47Z
canonical: "docs.swxtch.io/cloudswxtch-on-azure"
stale: true
---

> ## 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.

# cloudSwXtch on Azure

> [!NOTE]
> WHAT TO EXPECT
> 
> **In this section**, users will learn how to create a cloudSwXtch instance on Azure.

### Pre-requisites

Before installing or deploying a cloudSwXtch, some elements must already be created.

- A Resource Group that will contain the VNet, Subnet(s), and VM(s)
- A VNet inside the Resource Group
- At least one Subnet (for Single-Subnet operation), or two Subnets (control and data subnets) for higher performance
- A pair of SSH keys (recommended)

Once the Resource Group is created, users can read the [Validate Subnets on Azure](/v2/docs/validate-subnets-on-azure) page as a first step.

## Installation methods

There are several specific methods that a cloudSwXtch instance can be deployed on Azure.

### Template

This is the **preferred method** as it will create the two network adaptors needed for a cloudSwXtch to operate, will have "Accelerated Networking" enabled by default on the data NIC, and the image can be used many times.

Please, read the [Create an Azure cloudSwXtch Template](/v2/docs/create-azure-cloudswxtch-template) first, and then head to [Install cloudSwXtch on Azure via Template](/v2/docs/azure-cloudswxtch-installation) page to use this method.

### Marketplace

While a user can create a cloudSwXtch via the Marketplace, it will require additional work:

1. The cloudSwXtch would have to be updated to add a second NIC.
2. The data NIC has to be changed to accelerated networking manually.

With the [template](/v2/docs/cloudswxtch-on-azure#template) method, users can bypass all this.

If the user still wants to use the Marketplace method, more information can be found in the [Install cloudSwXtch on Azure via Marketplace](/v2/docs/install-cloudswxtch-azure-marketplace) page.

### Terraform

If the user wishes to deploy cloudSwXtch via Terraform, more information can be found in the [Deploy a cloudSwXtch on Azure via Terraform](/v2/docs/deploy-cloudswxtch-terraform-azure) page.

### Air-Gapped

For closed environments without internet access, users can follow the [Install cloudSwXtch on Azure in an Air-Gapped Environment](/v2/docs/install-cloudswxtch-for-an-air-gapped-environment-1) page.

### Cloud agnostic install

If the VM is already created and has an internet connection, users can run an installation script. The instructions are in the [Cloud agnostic cloudSwXtch Install](/v2/docs/cloud-agnostic-cloudswxtch-vm-install) page.