I'm new to specifying a Windows Server cloud installation and feeling overwhelmed by all the VM options available. I've taken over a Python application that uses a Postgres database, and they currently run on the same machine without issues. The app is crucial for my business, as it supports 5 remote users, and needs to be reliably available on weekdays from 6am to 6pm.
I need to stick with Windows for legacy reasons and can't switch to Linux.
I've been considering the D4v3 or D8v3 VMs in US East, estimating that I need about 4 to 8 cores and 16 to 32GB of RAM to keep performance at an acceptable level. I plan to do some testing for a month before committing to a 3-year savings plan.
First, should I explore other VM types for a low-concurrency app? General Purpose seems fitting.
Second, am I misunderstanding the pricing? Does the D8v3 cost $450 a month with a 3-year plan? And $178 a month if I bring my own Windows Server license? I've seen mentions of Azure charging $34 per core monthly for licensing, which would add up to over $10,000 for a 3-year plan—while I can buy a license for around $1,000. Am I missing something obvious? Thanks!
1 Answer
You might want to reconsider running both the application and database on the same VM; it can complicate things. Using Azure's managed Postgres for the database could greatly simplify your life. Also, given you only have 5 users, anything over 2 CPUs and 8GB of RAM is likely more than you need. You could look into the D2 VMs, which could be around $80/month and should handle your requirements just fine!
I looked into the managed Postgres option, but it looks like it would require some migration work. As for the App Service, I wasn't aware of that—thanks for the tip! About the burstable SKUs, could you explain how that works in terms of performance during peak hours?