Optimize Azure Compute Snapshots
Learn how to optimize Azure Compute Snapshots with actionable insights to enhance cost efficiency, improve performance, and maintain operational excellence.
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Cost Optimization Recommendations
Migrate Snapshots to Standard Storage
Snapshots stored in Premium Storage are significantly more expensive compared to Standard Storage. For cost savings of up to 95%, avoid using Premium Storage for snapshots, regardless of the parent disk's storage type.
- Existing snapshots in Premium Storage can be migrated to Standard Storage for cost reduction.
- Snapshots stored in Standard Storage still maintain the same integrity but at a lower cost.
SKU Pricing Comparison (Australia East Region)
| Storage Type | Price (per GB/month) | Cost Saving (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Storage | US$0.22 | N/A |
| Standard Storage (Hot) | US$0.02 | ~91% |
| Standard Storage (Cool) | US$0.01 | ~95% |
Note: Prices vary based on Azure region. Review the Azure pricing calculator for up-to-date cost estimations.
Delete Snapshots Older than 30 Days
Review snapshots that are older than 30 days and evaluate their necessity. Deleting unused or obsolete snapshots helps reduce costs and avoids unnecessary storage consumption.
- Implement retention policies to automatically delete snapshots beyond a specific age.
- For critical snapshots, consider archiving them to a lower-cost storage tier.
Remove Orphaned Snapshots
Orphaned snapshots, those whose source disks have been deleted, should be reviewed and deleted if they are no longer required. These snapshots contribute to costs without serving any practical purpose.
Operational Excellence Recommendations
Implement Snapshot Retention Policies
Define and enforce snapshot retention policies to ensure that only necessary snapshots are retained. This helps in maintaining an organized and cost-efficient snapshot strategy.
- Use Azure Backup or third-party tools to manage snapshots effectively.
- Automate the deletion of snapshots based on the defined retention policies.
Automate Snapshot Lifecycle Management
Leverage automation tools such as Azure Automation, Azure Logic Apps, or Azure Functions to manage the lifecycle of your snapshots.
- Schedule automation workflows to periodically check for snapshots that are older than 30 days or orphaned.
- Use automation to migrate snapshots from Premium to Standard Storage.
Reliability Recommendations
Use Incremental Snapshots
Whenever possible, use incremental snapshots instead of full snapshots. Incremental snapshots store only the changes since the last snapshot, significantly reducing storage costs and improving performance.
- Incremental snapshots are supported for managed disks and can reduce storage usage by up to 75%.
- Learn more about incremental snapshots.
Monitor Snapshot Usage
Regularly monitor snapshot usage using tools like Azure Monitor or Azure Cost Management. This helps identify underutilized snapshots and provides actionable insights for optimization.
- Set up alerts to notify administrators of snapshots that exceed a specific age or storage threshold.
- Use Azure Policy to enforce snapshot usage best practices.