The smallest and most cost-effective virtual machine (VM) currently available in Azure is the B1ls size. This particular instance, part of the B-series, was introduced specifically to cater to the demand for entry-level offerings, providing an extremely low-cost option for basic workloads.
Key Specifications of the B1ls VM
The B1ls VM offers a minimal yet functional configuration, making it an ideal choice for development, testing, and very light production applications where cost efficiency is paramount.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| vCPUs | 1 |
| Memory | 512 MiB |
| Cost | Approximately $0.0052 per hour (based on US East pricing, subject to regional variations) |
| Series | B-series (Burstable) |
| Purpose | Entry-level, low-cost, burstable workloads |
Why the B1ls VM?
The introduction of the B1ls VM directly addresses the customer need for a highly economical and low-resource virtual machine. Its design is focused on providing just enough compute power for non-intensive tasks, enabling users to significantly reduce their cloud infrastructure costs.
Typical use cases for the B1ls VM include:
- Development and Test Environments: Perfect for creating temporary sandboxes or running small-scale tests without incurring high costs.
- Small Web Servers: Suitable for hosting simple, low-traffic websites or static content.
- Microservices: Can be used to run individual, lightweight microservices efficiently.
- Proof-of-Concept Projects: Ideal for validating new ideas or deploying minimal viable products (MVPs).
- DNS or VPN Servers: Capable of handling basic network services.
- Lab Environments: Cost-effective for learning and experimentation with Azure services.
Understanding Azure VM Sizes
Azure provides a vast array of VM sizes, each optimized for different workload types, including compute-optimized, memory-optimized, storage-optimized, and GPU-enabled instances. The B-series, which includes the B1ls, is known as the "Burstable" series. These VMs are designed to provide a baseline performance level with the flexibility to burst CPU performance when higher demands temporarily arise. This characteristic makes them exceptionally cost-effective for workloads that do not consistently require full CPU utilization.
To explore the full range of Azure VM sizes and their capabilities, you can refer to the official Azure Virtual Machine documentation.
