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In the previous section, we discussed Azure pricing and subscription management—key considerations when creating an Azure account. Before actively using Azure services, it’s essential to evaluate Azure’s free tier offerings. This helps you explore and become familiar with Azure’s capabilities without exceeding your budget.
What Is the Azure Free Tier?
The Azure Free Tier is a resource usage model provided by Microsoft to enable new users to experience various services on the Azure cloud platform at no cost after registration. It covers a selection of services and resources, offering ample support for small-scale projects or learning purposes.
What Does the Azure Free Tier Include?
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Free Services: Azure offers the following free services to new users:
- Virtual Machines: 750 hours per month of Linux or Windows virtual machines.
- Azure Blob Storage: The first 5 GB of storage is free each month (pricing applies beyond this).
- Azure SQL Database: A free usage allowance, including up to 250 GB of database storage.
- Azure Functions: Free allowances for execution time and number of requests.
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Credit Allowance: Upon registration, users typically receive a credit amount (e.g., $200). These credits can be used toward any Azure service during the first 30 days after account creation—enabling new users to freely explore Azure’s features.
How to Evaluate and Use the Azure Free Tier
After registering your Azure account, follow these steps to assess and utilize your free tier benefits:
Step 1: Access the Azure Portal
Log in to the Azure portal at https://portal.azure.com. On the homepage, navigate to the Billing section and locate links labeled “Free Account” or “Usage.”
Step 2: Monitor Resource Usage
Azure provides intuitive tools to monitor your service consumption directly from the portal. Follow these steps:
- In the Azure portal, select Subscriptions.
- Click on your subscription to open the Free Tier dashboard, which displays your current usage and remaining allowance.
Example: Trying Out Azure Virtual Machines
To get hands-on experience with Azure, you can deploy a free Linux virtual machine and test its functionality.
Below is a sample script using the Azure CLI to create a simple VM:
# Log in to Azure
az login
# Create a virtual machine
az vm create --resource-group MyResourceGroup --name MyVm --image UbuntuLTS --admin-username azureuser --generate-ssh-keys
# Check the VM status
az vm show --resource-group MyResourceGroup --name MyVm --show-details
In this script, we create a VM named MyVm running UbuntuLTS. Note that the specified resource group must already exist, and all resources used must fall within your free tier limits.
Step 3: Optimize Resource Usage
While evaluating your Azure free tier usage, regularly review your current resource consumption to avoid unexpected charges. For example, remember to delete virtual machines and other services that are no longer needed.
Summary
Evaluating the Azure Free Tier is a critical first step for every new user embarking on their Azure cloud journey. By thoroughly understanding and leveraging Azure’s free offerings, users can explore the power of cloud computing without incurring financial costs.
In the next chapter, we’ll introduce the concept of resource groups in Azure resource management—a foundational tool for organizing and managing your Azure resources effectively.
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English Article FAQ
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How should I use this AI Tutorials article?
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Is this English article different from the Chinese original?
The English edition is localized for global AI readers while preserving the original diagrams, screenshots, prompts, code examples, and source context from the Chinese article.
What should I read after Log in to Azure?
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Can this article alone choose an AI product or model?
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