VM sizes and series (B, D, E, F) in Azure - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the main purpose of the B-series VMs in Azure?

B-series VMs are designed for workloads that do not need continuous full CPU performance but can burst when needed. They save cost by accumulating credits during low usage and using them during bursts.

beginner

Which Azure VM series is optimized for general purpose workloads with balanced CPU and memory?

The D-series VMs are optimized for general purpose workloads. They provide a good balance of CPU, memory, and temporary storage for most applications.

intermediate

What makes the E-series VMs different from the D-series in Azure?

E-series VMs offer more memory per CPU core compared to D-series, making them ideal for memory-intensive applications like databases and analytics.

beginner

For workloads requiring high CPU performance, which Azure VM series is recommended?

The F-series VMs are designed for compute-intensive workloads. They provide higher CPU-to-memory ratio, making them suitable for batch processing and gaming servers.

intermediate

How do Azure VM series help in choosing the right VM for your workload?

Azure VM series categorize VMs based on workload needs like burstable CPU, balanced compute, memory-optimized, or compute-optimized. This helps pick a VM that matches performance and cost requirements.

Which Azure VM series is best for workloads that need occasional CPU bursts but low baseline usage?

A E-series

B D-series

C B-series

D F-series

B-series VMs accumulate credits during low usage and allow CPU bursting when needed.

Which VM series offers the highest memory per CPU core in Azure?

A E-series

B D-series

C B-series

D F-series

E-series VMs are memory-optimized with more memory per CPU core.

If you need a VM for general purpose workloads with balanced CPU and memory, which series should you choose?

A B-series

B D-series

C E-series

D F-series

D-series VMs provide a balanced CPU and memory configuration for general workloads.

Which Azure VM series is designed for compute-intensive tasks like batch processing?

A B-series

B D-series

C E-series

D F-series

F-series VMs have a higher CPU-to-memory ratio for compute-heavy workloads.

What is a key benefit of choosing the right VM series in Azure?

A It matches workload needs and controls cost

B It guarantees zero downtime

C It automatically scales storage

D It provides unlimited CPU credits

Choosing the right VM series helps balance performance and cost based on workload requirements.

Explain the differences between B, D, E, and F series Azure VMs and when to use each.

Think about CPU and memory needs for different applications.

Describe how Azure VM series help optimize cost and performance for cloud workloads.

Consider workload patterns and resource usage.

Practice

1. Which Azure VM series is best suited for applications that need to handle occasional spikes in CPU usage but are idle most of the time?

easy

A. E series (memory optimized)

B. D series (balanced CPU and memory)

C. B series (burstable VMs)

D. F series (compute optimized)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of B series VMs

   B series VMs are designed for workloads that are idle most of the time but need to burst CPU power occasionally.

2. Step 2: Compare with other series

   D series are balanced, E series focus on memory, and F series focus on CPU but not burstable. So B series fits the description best.

3. Final Answer:

   B series (burstable VMs) -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Bursty CPU needs = B series [OK]

Hint: Burstable CPU needs? Pick B series [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing D series for bursty workloads
• Confusing F series with burstable
• Picking E series which is memory optimized

2. Which of the following is the correct way to describe the F series Azure VMs?

easy

A. Memory optimized VMs for heavy database workloads

B. Burstable VMs for low baseline CPU usage

C. Balanced VMs with equal CPU and memory

D. Compute optimized VMs with higher CPU-to-memory ratio

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify F series characteristics

   F series VMs are compute optimized, meaning they have more CPU power relative to memory.

2. Step 2: Eliminate other options

   Memory optimized describes E series, burstable describes B series, and balanced describes D series.

3. Final Answer:

   Compute optimized VMs with higher CPU-to-memory ratio -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   F series = compute optimized [OK]

Hint: F series means more CPU power, less memory [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing F series with memory optimized E series
• Thinking F series are burstable
• Confusing balanced D series with F series

3. You deploy an application that requires high memory but moderate CPU. Which VM series will likely give you the best performance and cost balance?
Options: B, D, E, F

medium

A. B series

B. E series

C. F series

D. D series

Solution

1. Step 1: Match workload needs to VM series

   High memory and moderate CPU needs point to memory optimized VMs.

2. Step 2: Identify E series as memory optimized

   E series VMs are designed for memory-intensive workloads, making them suitable here.

3. Final Answer:

   E series -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   High memory need = E series [OK]

Hint: High memory? Choose E series [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing F series which is CPU optimized
• Picking B series which is burstable
• Selecting D series which is balanced but not memory focused

4. A developer chose a B series VM for a high-CPU, always-on web server. What is the main issue with this choice?

medium

A. B series VMs are burstable and may throttle CPU under constant load

B. B series VMs do not support web servers

C. B series VMs have too much memory for web servers

D. B series VMs are more expensive than F series

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand B series limitations

   B series VMs are designed for workloads with low baseline CPU and occasional bursts, not constant high CPU.

2. Step 2: Identify why this is a problem for always-on high CPU

   Constant high CPU usage will cause B series VMs to throttle performance, hurting the web server.

3. Final Answer:

   B series VMs are burstable and may throttle CPU under constant load -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Constant high CPU ≠ B series [OK]

Hint: Burstable VMs throttle under constant CPU load [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking B series can't run web servers
• Assuming B series has too much memory
• Believing B series is more expensive than F series

5. You need to deploy a data analytics application that requires high CPU power and large memory but must also be cost-effective. Which VM series combination should you consider to optimize performance and cost?

hard

A. Use F series for CPU-intensive tasks and E series for memory-intensive tasks

B. Use only B series VMs to save cost

C. Use D series VMs as they balance CPU and memory well

D. Use E series only because memory is most important

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze workload requirements

   The application needs both high CPU and large memory, which may not be met efficiently by a single VM series.

2. Step 2: Consider splitting workload across VM series

   F series VMs provide high CPU power, while E series VMs provide large memory. Using both can optimize cost and performance.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   B series is burstable and not suitable for heavy workloads. D series is balanced but may not optimize cost as well. E series alone may lack CPU power.

4. Final Answer:

   Use F series for CPU-intensive tasks and E series for memory-intensive tasks -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Split CPU and memory needs = F + E series [OK]

Hint: Split CPU and memory tasks across F and E series [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing only B series to save cost ignoring performance
• Relying solely on D series without optimization
• Using only E series and missing CPU needs