This post is a part of a series:
- Understanding Microsoft’s Explanation of Azure VM Specs (this post)
- The Different Azure Virtual Machine Types
- Picking an Azure Virtual Machine Tier
- Azure Virtual Machine Specs
I have a great laugh when I am in front of a room and explaining Microsoft’s Azure VM specs to people. Take a look at this screenshot from the pricing site:
Let me ask you a few questions about the Basic A1 VM:
- How much disk space does that VM have?
- How many data disks can that VM be allocated?
- What is the max IOPS of each data disk?
- What are the maximum number of virtual NICs can that VM have?
Let me give you a clue:
- The answer is not 40 GB
- You don’t have enough information
- You don’t have enough information
- You don’t have enough information
We have answered 1/4 questions from the pricing site.
Let’s go dig for information on the Sizes For Virtual Machines page. Here we get a different set of information:
Let’s try answer those questions about the Basic A1 again:
- The answer is not 1063 (1023 + 40) GB
- A maximum of 2 data disks is correct
- Each data disk can have up to 300 IOPS. With 2 data disks, we can have an aggregate of 600 IOPS using Storage Spaces, etc, in the guest OS
- You still don’t have enough information.
OK, we now can answer 2/4 questions correctly! Let’s go to a reliable tool: Google. I found Create A VM With Multiple NICs. There I have found the below:
Now I can update my answers:
- The answer is not 1063 (1023 + 40) GB
- A maximum of 2 data disks is correct
- Each data disk can have up to 300 IOPS. With 2 data disks, we can have an aggregate of 600 IOPS using Storage Spaces, etc, in the guest OS
- A Basic A1 VM can have 1 virtual NIC
OK, would someone please tell me how much storage space will be consumed if I deploy a Basic A1 VM with Windows Server?!?!?!?!
The answer is that the C: drive of any Windows Server VM that is deployed from the Marketplace is 127 GB. The D: drive (a temporary drive that you should not store persistent data on) is indicated in the pricing. So, the Basic A1 VM will deploy a 127 GB C: drive and a 40 GB D: drive.
- How much disk space does that VM have? 167 GB.
- How many data disks can that VM be allocated? 1 maximum of 2.
- What is the max IOPS of each data disk? 300 IOPS.
- What are the maximum number of virtual NICs can that VM have? It can have 1 vNIC.
[EDIT]
I found another nugget of information today while pricing up DS-Series and GS-Series virtual machines. Microsoft says that DS-Series cost the same as D-Series. That’s no longer the case; D-Series was reduced in price on Oct 1st 2015, and DV2-Series was introduced as an upgrade. Now DS-Series costs the same as Dv2-Series at this time. GS-Series is still (at this time) the same price as G-Series.
If only there was a website with that information!
Completely agree, trying to figure out the pricing and capabilities for VMs is a nightmare!!!
Agree. Your post is very good.
Thanks!
@ AFinn in Azure
great blog..
regards
rakhi
Thanks!