Understanding Azure VM Charges in the Stopped State

In the digital web landscape, where cost efficiency is paramount, it's important to understand how different states of virtual machines (VMs) affect your Azure bill. This article delves into the specifics of Azure's charges for stopped VMs, highlighting the differences between simply stopping a VM and deallocating it.

When Do You Still Pay for a Stopped VM?

When you stop a VM using the Azure portal or command-line interface (CLI), it transitions to a state where the resources are not released. You will still be charged for the storage used by the VM's disks (both OS and data disks), and for static public IP addresses associated with the VM. This means if you're looking to save costs, simply stopping your VM may not be enough; you need to explore alternative states like stopped deallocated.

The Two States: 'Stopped' and 'Stopped Deallocated'

Within Azure, there are two primary states for VMs: 'stopped' and 'stopped deallocated'. Both states impact your costs differently:

Stopped State

In the 'stopped' state, you will still be charged for several components:

Storage: Azure will continue to charge for the storage allocated to your VM's disks (OS and data). Public IP Addresses: If you have a static public IP address associated with the VM, you may incur charges even when the VM is stopped. Compute Resources: The VM core hours will continue to accrue charges based on the size of the VM and the image selected at creation. Cloud Service: Charges for the VM's cloud service will continue. Storage for OS Disk: Persistent storage required for the OS disk will be billed. Data Disks: Attached data disks also incur charges.

Stopped Deallocated State

Switching to the 'stopped deallocated' state can eliminate your costs. Here's how:

Compute Resources: Azure will deallocate the compute resources used by the VM, effectively releasing them for other customers. No Core Hours: You will no longer be charged for VM core hours based on the size and selected image. No Compute Charges: Azure will stop billing you for compute costs. Status: Azure will report the VM as being in a 'stopped deallocated' state.

Actions to Take to Avoid Costs

To avoid any charges for your stopped VM, take the following steps:

Use the Stopped Deallocated State: Go into the Azure Portal or use the Azure CLI/PowerShell to stop and deallocate the VM. Delete Unnecessary Resources: If you have resources that are no longer needed, consider deleting them to eliminate unnecessary charges. Monitor Regularly: Regularly review your Azure usage to ensure that you are not paying for resources that are not in use.

Conclusion

Understanding the different states and their associated costs is crucial for optimizing your Azure budget. By leveraging the 'stopped deallocated' state, you can significantly reduce your VM-related expenses without losing any valuable resources. Remember to regularly monitor and manage your resources to ensure cost efficiency and maximize ROI.

Related Keywords

Azure VM charges, stopped VM, stopped deallocated state