This article explains Azure SLA for uptime and connectivity. If you are preparing for AZ 900 certification then this article is for you because Azure SLA is an important part of the AZ 900 exam module.
You may read this: Azure IoT, Big Data and Machine Learning – AZ 900 NotesSLA stands for Service Level Agreement. It is a formal agreement between the service provider and the customer.
Azure Cloud provides a set of SLAs based on various parameters applicable to Azure services.
Want to read about Azure Storage: Microsoft Azure Storage – Benefits, TypesWhat if SLA doesn’t meet with promised SLA?
Azure gives a service credit in case it doesn’t meet the agreed SLA.
- If < 99.95 % then 10 % amount is credited.
- If < 99 % then 25 % amount is credited.
To receive service credit, you must submit an SLA credit request.
Note: Free service, Private Previews and Public Previews do not have an SLA.
How to calculate uptime?
Use the below formula to calculate the Monthly uptime %.
Monthly uptime % = (Maximum Available Minutes - Down time)/(Maximum Available Minutes) * 100
In case Microsoft is ending support then, Microsoft will provide a 12-month notification prior to ending support. This doesn’t include Free service or preview releases.
Microsoft gives a 30-day notification for a security update to apply.
How to calculate SLA?
Microsoft recommends various parameters to increase the SLA. But before that how to know what is SLA of my Azure services is?
Suppose you have a VM instance with an SLA of 99% and a Database with the same SLA i.e. 99%
Then total SLA of Azure service = 0.99 * 0.99 = 98 %
So, the more services you have the lesser SLA you get.
How to Improve SLA?
Improving SLA is good for your customer and directly it is good for your business.
There are a few factors that can improve SLA.
- Don’t use free-tier products, as they do not have any defined SLA.
- Deploy 2 core VM instances into 2 or more availability zones to get 99.99% availability.
- Choose the right service as per your needs.
- VM instance with premium SSD or Ultra disk gives much better SLA than standard HDD.
SLA for Virtual Machine Scale Sets
VM Scale set is a free Azure service and does not offer a service credit for this. However, If VM Scale sets include Virtual Machines in at least 2 Fault Domains, the availability of the underlying Virtual Machines SLA for two or more instances applies.
Azure Service Lifecycle
Every service or product follows some phases or has a lifecycle.
Similarly, service release by Azure follows the below lifecycle.
- Private Preview – It is an evaluation purpose release for specific customers. You need to apply for using Private Preview. This release does not follow any SLA.
- Public Preview – It is available to all Azure customers and it also has no defined SLA. Public Preview is not recommended for production or any critical business application.
- General Availability – This release is available to all customers and follows SLA as well.
If you are preparing for AZ 900 certification, then follow this link - Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Certification Sample Questions
For more information about Azure SLA, please visit this link – Service Level Agreements – Home | Microsoft Azure
Hope you like this blog.
