Note: This post was originally posted on medium.

Welcome to this series on Azure Networking, where we embark on a journey to explore the intricacies of networking in the cloud. Azure Networking plays a pivotal role in establishing robust connections, securing data, and optimizing performance within the Azure environment.

In this series, we’ll dive deep into various aspects of Azure Networking, covering fundamental concepts, advanced configurations, and best practices. Whether you’re just starting your cloud journey or looking to enhance your expertise, these blog posts are tailored to provide insights and practical knowledge.

Table of Contents:

Introduction to Azure Networking:

• Understand the fundamentals of Azure Virtual Network (VNet).
• Explore basic networking concepts in the Azure environment.

Azure Virtual Network (VNet) Deep Dive:

• Learn to create and configure VNets.
• Understand subnetting and addressing within VNets.
• Explore the power of VNet peering.

Azure Virtual Private Network (VPN):

• Dive into setting up site-to-site and point-to-site VPN connections.
• Explore VPN gateways and troubleshoot common connectivity issues.

Azure ExpressRoute:

• Discover the benefits of ExpressRoute.
• Configure and manage ExpressRoute circuits.
• Explore hybrid cloud scenarios with ExpressRoute.

Network Security Groups (NSG):

• Understand the role of NSGs in network security.
• Create and configure NSGs for effective traffic filtering.

Azure Firewall:

• Explore the capabilities of Azure Firewall.
• Configure and manage Azure Firewall rules.
• Integrate Azure Firewall into your network architecture.

This series aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Azure Networking, from laying the groundwork to implementing advanced configurations. Each blog post will focus on a specific topic, offering step-by-step guides, best practices, and real-world examples.

Whether you’re an IT professional, a network engineer, or a cloud enthusiast, join us on this journey through the intricate world of Azure Networking. Buckle up, and let’s navigate the cloud together!

Stay tuned for our first deep dive into “Introduction to Azure Networking” where we’ll lay the foundation for the exciting topics to come. Happy reading!

What Are Azure Reserved Instances?

Reserved Instances represent a commitment to the cloud provider such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, GCP etc, to use specific computing resources for a specified duration, either one or three years. This commitment is reflected in the invoice, providing a substantial discount compared to pay-as-you-go rates.

Why Choose Reserved Instances?

1. Cost Efficiency: RIs are an effective method to lower costs, offering up to a 72% discount compared to pay-as-you-go pricing.

2. Ideal for Production Workloads: They are particularly suitable for stable, production workloads with predictable resource usage patterns.

3. Cost Recovery: While cost recovery periods can vary, generally, for one-year RIs, it takes around 7-10 months, and for three-year RIs, it takes around 10-20 months.

How to Optimize Reserved Instances?

Before committing to RIs, it's crucial to follow certain steps:

1. Rightsizing: Complete essential rightsizing steps to ensure the chosen instance sizes align with your workload needs.

2. Identify Stable Workloads: Apply RIs to workloads that maintain continuous operation or demonstrate higher utilization rates, preferably exceeding 60%.

3. Forecast Usage: Predict future instance usage and identify trends to match your RI commitment for cost-neutral or better outcomes.

Understanding RI Utilization and Coverage