Question

Difficulty: MediumCompute Virtualization Solutions

A logistics company is designing the compute infrastructure for a new real-time fleet tracking application. The application consists of a stateless API layer that runs continuously 24/7. The API layer requires a 99.99% availability SLA and must be deployed across multiple Availability Zones to ensure resiliency. The workload is highly predictable with a steady-state CPU and memory usage profile. The company wants to minimize compute costs over a three-year period without risking service interruption.

Which compute solution should you recommend to meet these requirements?

  1. A
    Deploy the API layer on Azure Spot Virtual Machines across three Availability Zones.
  2. Deploy the API layer on standard Azure Virtual Machines configured with three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances across multiple Availability Zones.Answer
  3. C
    Deploy the API layer on Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets in a single Availability Zone using Pay-As-You-Go D-series virtual machines.
  4. D
    Deploy the API layer on Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets using the Uniform orchestration mode with Spot priority across multiple Availability Zones.

Answer

Deploy the API layer on standard Azure Virtual Machines configured with three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances across multiple Availability Zones.
Deploying standard virtual machines configured with three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances across multiple Availability Zones is correct. Reserved instances provide significant cost savings (up to 72% compared to pay-as-you-go) for predictable, steady-state workloads with a long-term commitment. Deploying across multiple zones meets the 99.99% availability SLA without the risk of eviction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the SLA and availability requirements.
The application requires a 99.99% VM availability SLA and must be deployed across multiple Availability Zones to ensure resiliency.
This rules out single-zone deployments which do not meet the 99.99% VM availability SLA criteria.
2
Analyze the workload profile and tolerance for interruption.
The workload is a continuous, 24/7 steady-state API that cannot tolerate service interruptions.
This rules out Spot VMs and Spot-priority Virtual Machine Scale Sets, as they can be evicted at any time without warning.
3
Evaluate the cost optimization options for a three-year horizon.
Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances with a three-year commitment match the steady-state nature of the workload and maximize savings.
Reserved Instances offer up to 72% savings compared to pay-as-you-go pricing for predictable, long-running virtual machine workloads.

Key Concept

Selecting Azure VM purchasing models and resiliency configurations based on SLA, cost constraints, and workload predictability.
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