Azure virtual machines (VMs) are one of the most popular cloud computing services that allow you to run applications and workloads on-demand. However, running VMs can also incur significant costs if you are not careful about how you use them. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to save cost in Azure VMs without compromising performance or reliability.
Tip 1: Choose the right VM size and type
One of the most important factors that affect the cost of Azure VMs is the size and type of the VM. Azure offers a variety of VM sizes and types, each with different combinations of CPU, memory, disk, and network resources. Depending on your application requirements, you should choose the VM size and type that best suits your needs and budget. For example, if you need a lot of memory but not much CPU, you can choose a memory-optimized VM type, such as E-series or M-series. If you need a lot of CPU but not much memory, you can choose a compute-optimized VM type, such as F-series or H-series. If you need a balance of CPU and memory, you can choose a general-purpose VM type, such as A-series or D-series.
Tip 2: Use reserved instances and spot instances
Another way to save cost in Azure VMs is to use reserved instances and spot instances. Reserved instances are VMs that you commit to use for a certain period of time, such as one year or three years, in exchange for a discounted price. Reserved instances are ideal for applications that have predictable and steady demand. Spot instances are VMs that you can use at a very low price when there is excess capacity in Azure. Spot instances are ideal for applications that have flexible and intermittent demand. However, spot instances can be evicted at any time if there is no longer enough capacity in Azure. Therefore, you should only use spot instances for workloads that can tolerate interruptions and failures.
Tip 3: Scale up and down according to demand
Another way to save cost in Azure VMs is to scale up and down according to demand. Scaling up means increasing the size or number of VMs when the demand increases. Scaling down means decreasing the size or number of VMs when the demand decreases. Scaling up and down can help you optimize the performance and cost of your application by ensuring that you have enough resources when you need them and not wasting resources when you don't. You can use Azure's built-in features, such as virtual machine scale sets (VMSS) and autoscale, to automatically scale your VMs based on metrics, such as CPU utilization or queue length. You can also use Azure's tools, such as Azure Monitor and Azure Advisor, to monitor your VM usage and get recommendations on how to scale your VMs.
Tip 4: Optimize your storage and network usage
Another way to save cost in Azure VMs is to optimize your storage and network usage. Storage and network are two of the main components that affect the performance and cost of your VMs. You should choose the right storage and network options for your application needs and budget. For example, if you need high-performance and low-latency storage, you can choose premium SSD disks or ultra disks. If you need cost-effective and durable storage, you can choose standard HDD disks or blob storage. If you need high-bandwidth and low-latency network, you can choose accelerated networking or ExpressRoute. If you need cost-effective and secure network, you can choose virtual network or VPN gateway.
Tip 5: Use Azure Hybrid Benefit and Azure Cost Management
Another way to save cost in Azure VMs is to use Azure Hybrid Benefit and Azure Cost Management. Azure Hybrid Benefit is a program that allows you to use your existing Windows Server or SQL Server licenses on Azure VMs at a reduced cost. You can save up to 40% on Windows Server VMs and up to 55% on SQL Server VMs by using Azure Hybrid Benefit. Azure Cost Management is a service that helps you monitor, analyze, and optimize your Azure spending. You can use Azure Cost Management to track your Azure bills, set budgets and alerts, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement best practices for cost efficiency.