Kali Linux on Azure
System Requirements & Recommendations
Minimum Requirements (Basic Use)
- VM Size: Standard B2s (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM)
- RAM: 4 GB minimum
- Disk: 32 GB SSD
- Image: Kali Linux from Azure Marketplace
- Authentication: SSH key-based login recommended
Recommended Specs (Typical Internal Testing)
- VM Size: Standard D4s v5 or D8s v5
- RAM: 8–16 GB
- Disk: 64–128 GB Premium SSD
- Network: NSGs in place, optional Bastion for GUI
Disk Space by Metapackage
- kali-linux-core: ~3.7–5.2 GB
- kali-tools-top10: ~6.7–8.2 GB
- kali-linux-default: ~13 GB
- kali-linux-large: ~20 GB
- kali-linux-everything: up to ~35 GB
Azure VM Use Case Table
| Use Case | RAM | Disk | vCPUs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLI-Only (minimal) | 512 MB–2 GB | 20 GB SSD | 1 vCPU | Headless SSH, lightweight usage |
| Basic GUI (Xfce + default) | 2 GB | 20–30 GB SSD | 2 vCPU | Standard GUI usage |
| Tool-Heavy / Multi-VM | 8 GB | 60 GB SSD+ | 4+ vCPU | Burp, Metasploit, multi-tool use |
| GPU-Accelerated Tasks | 8–16 GB | 60 GB SSD+ | 4+ vCPU + GPU | Password cracking, Hashcat, etc. |
Additional Deployment Recommendations
- Use Dv5 or Ev5 series VMs
- Enable auto-shutdown and backup
- Deploy NSGs to secure ports
- Use Azure Bastion or VPN for secure access
- Run
apt update && apt full-upgradepost-install