Metrics for resource performance in Azure - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Metrics for resource performance

Resource emits metrics

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Metrics collected by Azure Monitor

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Metrics stored in Metrics database

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User queries metrics via Azure Portal/API

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Metrics visualized or alerted on

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User takes action based on metrics

Azure resources send performance data as metrics, which Azure Monitor collects and stores. Users then view or set alerts on these metrics to understand resource health.

Execution Sample

Azure

az monitor metrics list --resource /subscriptions/{sub}/resourceGroups/{rg}/providers/Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/{vm} --metric "Percentage CPU" --interval PT1M

This command fetches the CPU usage percentage metric for a virtual machine every minute.

Process Table

Step	Action	Input	Output	Notes
1	Resource emits metric	VM CPU usage data	Metric data point sent	VM sends CPU % every minute
2	Azure Monitor collects	Metric data point	Stored metric in DB	Data stored for querying
3	User runs az monitor metrics list	Resource ID, metric name, interval	Metric values returned	User requests CPU % for last minute
4	Azure returns data	Query	List of CPU % values	Data ready for visualization
5	User views or alerts	Metric data	Dashboard or alert triggered	User monitors VM performance
6	End	No further input	Process complete	Metrics cycle continues as resource emits

💡 Metrics retrieval ends after returning requested data points.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
Metric Data	None	CPU % data point emitted	Stored in Azure Monitor DB	Queried by user command	Returned as list of values	Used for monitoring or alerting

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we need to specify the metric name when querying?

Because Azure Monitor stores many metrics, specifying the metric name (like Percentage CPU) tells the system exactly which data to return, as shown in execution_table step 3.

What happens if the resource stops emitting metrics?

Azure Monitor will have no new data points to store or return, so queries will return older or no data, as implied after step 1 and 2 in the execution_table.

Why is the interval parameter important in the query?

It defines the time range and granularity of metrics returned, ensuring users get data for the correct period, as seen in step 3 where interval PT1M means every 1 minute.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the output after step 3?

A Metric values returned

B Metric data point sent

C Stored metric in DB

D Dashboard or alert triggered

💡 Hint

Refer to the 'Output' column in execution_table row for step 3.

At which step does Azure Monitor store the metric data?

A Step 1

B Step 2

C Step 4

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Check the 'Action' and 'Output' columns in execution_table for storing data.

If the interval parameter changes from PT1M to PT5M, how does the output change?

A No data returned

B More frequent data points returned

C Less frequent data points returned

D Data points unrelated to time

💡 Hint

Look at step 3 in execution_table and consider what interval means for data granularity.

Concept Snapshot

Azure resources emit performance metrics.
Azure Monitor collects and stores these metrics.
Users query metrics by specifying resource and metric name.
Interval controls data granularity.
Metrics help monitor and alert on resource health.

Full Transcript

Azure resources like virtual machines send performance data called metrics to Azure Monitor. Azure Monitor collects and stores these metrics in a database. Users can query these metrics using commands or the Azure Portal by specifying the resource and the metric name, such as CPU percentage. The interval parameter defines how often data points are collected or returned. After querying, users see the metric values and can use them to monitor resource health or trigger alerts. This cycle repeats as long as the resource emits metrics.