Cost optimization pillar in Azure - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to create a budget alert in Azure Cost Management.

Azure

az consumption budget create --amount [1] --time-grain Monthly --name MyBudget --resource-group MyResourceGroup

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1000

B5000

Cten thousand

Dbudget

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using non-numeric strings for the amount

Omitting the amount parameter

The --amount parameter requires a numeric value representing the budget limit. '1000' is a valid number.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to list all cost management budgets in a subscription.

Azure

az consumption budget list --subscription [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AMyResourceGroup

B12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789abc

CMyBudget

DMonthly

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using resource group name instead of subscription ID

Using budget name instead of subscription ID

The --subscription parameter requires the subscription ID, which is a GUID like '12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789abc'.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code to enable cost alerts when spending reaches 80% of the budget.

Azure

az consumption budget update --name MyBudget --resource-group MyResourceGroup --threshold [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A0.8

B80%

Ceighty

D80

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using decimal values like 0.8

Including the percent sign in the value

The --threshold parameter expects an integer percentage value without the percent sign, so '80' is correct.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a cost management export that runs monthly and saves to a storage account.

Azure

az consumption export create --name MonthlyExport --subscription MySubscription --storage-account [1] --recurrence [2]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Amystorageaccount

Bweekly

Cmonthly

Ddaily

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using recurrence values that don't match the export frequency

Using incorrect storage account names

The --storage-account requires the storage account name, and --recurrence should be 'monthly' to run monthly exports.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a reserved instance purchase with a 1-year term and a specific SKU.

Azure

az reservation order create --reserved-resource-type VirtualMachines --term [1] --sku [2] --quantity [3]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1Year

BStandard_D2s_v3

C5

D12-month

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using incorrect term formats like '12-month'

Using invalid SKU names

Using non-numeric quantity values

The --term should be '1Year' for a one-year reservation, --sku is the VM size like 'Standard_D2s_v3', and --quantity is the number of instances to reserve, here '5'.

Practice

1. What is the main goal of the Cost optimization pillar in Azure cloud?

easy

A. To improve network speed only

B. To save money by using cloud resources wisely

C. To add more storage without limits

D. To increase the number of virtual machines

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of cost optimization

   The cost optimization pillar focuses on managing cloud spending efficiently.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct goal

   Saving money by using resources wisely matches the cost optimization goal.

3. Final Answer:

   To save money by using cloud resources wisely -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Cost optimization = saving money [OK]

Hint: Cost optimization means saving money smartly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking cost optimization means adding more resources
• Confusing cost optimization with performance only
• Assuming cost optimization ignores resource usage

2. Which Azure tool helps you monitor and control your cloud spending?

easy

A. Azure Cost Management

B. Azure DevOps

C. Azure Active Directory

D. Azure Monitor Logs

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Azure tools related to cost

   Azure Cost Management is designed to track and manage cloud expenses.

2. Step 2: Exclude unrelated tools

   DevOps is for development, Active Directory for identity, Monitor Logs for diagnostics.

3. Final Answer:

   Azure Cost Management -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Cost Management = spending control [OK]

Hint: Cost Management tracks spending in Azure [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Azure DevOps for cost tracking
• Confusing Azure Monitor Logs with cost tools
• Selecting Azure Active Directory by mistake

3. You have an Azure VM running 24/7 but only need it during business hours (8 AM to 6 PM). What is the best cost optimization action?

medium

A. Keep the VM running all the time

B. Resize the VM to a larger size

C. Schedule the VM to start and stop during business hours

D. Add more storage to the VM

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze VM usage pattern

   The VM is needed only during business hours, so running it 24/7 wastes money.

2. Step 2: Choose cost-saving action

   Scheduling start/stop saves cost by not running VM when unused.

3. Final Answer:

   Schedule the VM to start and stop during business hours -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Stop unused VM times = save cost [OK]

Hint: Stop VMs when not needed to save money [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Keeping VM always on wastes money
• Resizing larger increases cost
• Adding storage does not reduce cost

4. You see a recommendation from Azure Advisor to "Right-size your VMs" but your VM is already the smallest size. What should you do?

medium

A. Check if VM is underutilized and consider shutting down

B. Ignore the recommendation because VM is smallest

C. Upgrade VM to a larger size

D. Delete the VM immediately

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand "Right-size" recommendation

   It means adjusting VM size to match workload, avoiding waste.

2. Step 2: Since VM is smallest, check if it is needed at all

   If underutilized, shutting down or deleting saves cost.

3. Final Answer:

   Check if VM is underutilized and consider shutting down -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Right-size means match usage, not just smallest [OK]

Hint: Right-size means match workload, not just smallest size [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring recommendations blindly
• Upgrading VM increases cost unnecessarily
• Deleting VM without checking usage

5. Your company wants to reduce Azure costs by using reserved instances. Which approach best fits cost optimization?

hard

A. Ignore reserved instances and focus on storage only

B. Use pay-as-you-go for all workloads to stay flexible

C. Always use the largest VM size available

D. Purchase reserved instances for steady workloads to get discounts

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand reserved instances

   Reserved instances offer discounts for long-term, steady usage.

2. Step 2: Match reserved instances to steady workloads

   This reduces cost compared to pay-as-you-go for predictable use.

3. Final Answer:

   Purchase reserved instances for steady workloads to get discounts -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Reserved instances = save on steady use [OK]

Hint: Reserved instances save money for steady workloads [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using pay-as-you-go for steady workloads wastes money
• Choosing largest VM size increases cost
• Ignoring reserved instances misses savings