How can you use a machine 3-4 times a year without incurring ongoing fixed costs?

VOIROL CHRISTIAN 21 Reputation points
2024-01-17T11:36:09.02+00:00

For several years now, I've been using a very powerful machine (64 processors, 512 GB RAM) about 3-5 times 30-50 hours a year. I do astrophotography. And when I have collected a series of data (around 200-500GB of data), I increase the size of my shared Azur disk and load the data in batch from my home and my stand-alone Windows 11 machine. Once the data is loaded (it sometimes takes several days to upload), I start up the super-machine and do some processing for the next 30-50 hours. Then I stop everything. I empty the shared disk and resize it. Except that this practice costs me about 150US$ per month without using the machine. Isn't there a simpler way of saving a configuration and starting it up only when use is required? Thank you in advance for your help. Sincerely

Azure Virtual Machines
Azure Virtual Machines
An Azure service that is used to provision Windows and Linux virtual machines.
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Microsoft Configuration Manager
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  1. Andreas Baumgarten 117.9K Reputation points MVP
    2024-01-17T11:48:15.62+00:00

    Hi @VOIROL CHRISTIAN ,

    if an Azure Virtual Machine is in state Stopped (deallocated) there are no charges for the compute part of the Azure VM . Just start the VM for your required work and stop/deallocate the VM if not needed anymore.

    For all the disks of an Azure VM the costs are charged as long as the disk exists, no matter the VM is running or deallocated. This is because the disk will use resources in the Azure datacenter. Your best option is to convert the Azure disks into Standard HDD and the smallest size that fits your needs. It's possible to convert the disk type (Standard HDD, Standard SSD or Premium SSD) forth and back without an issue.

    On the other hand you can remove/delete the data disks completely if the VM is not in use and create new data disks if required. This way you are only charged for the OS disk of the Azure VM during the "inactive" period. For instance 128 GB Standard HDD in a Azure US region about 6US$ per month.

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    (If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you) Regards

    Andreas Baumgarten


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