Azure storage Data write operation VS data write

Question

I'm working with Azure blobk blobs and I have some question about pricing that I don't exactly get.

• What is the difference between data write operations and data write.
  According to azure page

The following API calls are considered write operations: PutBlob, PutBlock, PutBlockList, AppendBlock, SnapshotBlob, CopyBlob, and SetBlobTier (when it moves a Blob from Hot to Cool, Cool to Archive, or Hot to Archive. )

Write operation is priced when move blob from hot to cool or archive. It is okay.
When I want to put one block on block blob, it is priced for write operation for two transaction (One of them is putblock, the other is putBlockList). It is okay.
But, am I be priced for data write additionaly (which is free for now) when I put one block? If yes, I am also priced for inbound data transfer which is free for now.

• Second question: I read this question also for read operations and below quote is get from the forum;

retrieval is the process of pulling a blob from cold storage or archive back to hot storage, and then reading is the cost of actually reading the data

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/9871f234-9a95-48a7-90a3-eecd0ebaa388/azure-storage-blob-quotper-operationquot-definition-and-hot-tier-data-retrieval-vs-data-read?forum=windowsazuredata

Data retrieval price is included while rehydrating. It is okay.
But is the data retrieval price included for DownloadText() method or any get operations? If yes, also the outbound is priced additionally according to size. Isn't it?

• Third question: All these pricings are valid for snapshots?

When I call SnapshotAsync() method, does azure act as I'm creating a new block blob?

Thank you

Answer 1

@aybüke karaaslan

From the Bandwidth Pricing FAQ:

Is data transfer between Azure services located within the same region charged?

No. For example, an Azure SQL database in the same region will not have any additional data transfer costs.

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Answer 2

@aybüke karaaslan
Apologies for the delayed response here. As stated on our pricing page Data Write is free, but network costs are charged separately. Since you are writing the data this would be considered Inbound traffic which currently also has no cost. For more information please see the Bandwidth pricing page.

Yes DownloadText() and GET operations would be data retrieval for Cool storage. Yes, network costs are charged separately.

Yes snapshots are read-only copies of a blob, not just block blobs though. I suggest you read the Pricing and billing section as well Understanding how blob snapshots accrue charges.

Hope this answers all your questions. If you have further question please let me know. Also, feel free to reach out to our Azure Billing and Subscription team via support case, this is free and does not require a support plan.

Answer 3

Thank you @deherman-MSFT for your answer. I get the structure of billing.
But, assume that, I create a function app on Azure and it is located on West Europe region. My storage account is located West Europe, too. When I call DownloadText() from function, is there a bandwidth price also?

Is there any bandwidth price difference if I run my function on Azure Function Serverless or on a VM which is located West Europe or on Azure container instance which is located on West Europe, too?
Thank you

Answer 4

Would this be an accurate statement?

A "write" is a write of a blob or a block. A "data write" is a write of data within a blob.