What should be configured to allow inbound Remote Desktop connections to virtual machines in Azure?

To enable inbound Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections to virtual machines (VMs) in Azure, it is essential to configure Network Security Group (NSG) rules. An NSG acts as a virtual firewall that controls inbound and outbound traffic to Azure resources, including VMs.

When setting up a VM, typically, NSGs are associated with the network interfaces or subnets. These security groups contain rules that define which incoming traffic is allowed or denied. To allow RDP connections, you would create an inbound security rule in the NSG that permits traffic on port 3389, which is the default port for RDP. This rule ensures that only the specified IP addresses or ranges can initiate a connection to the VMs via RDP, enhancing security by limiting access.

While Azure Firewall settings and Public IP address allocations can also play a role in network security and connectivity, the immediate step for enabling RDP access specifically revolves around NSG configurations. Virtual Network configurations are important for ensuring that the VMs can communicate with each other and with on-premises resources, but they do not directly manage the inbound security rules necessary for RDP access. Thus, the configuration of NSG rules is the critical step for allowing RDP connections effectively.