Automating the shutdown of underutilized Azure VMs can be achieved through several methods, each with its own advantages and complexities.
1. Azure Auto-Shutdown Feature
The simplest method is to use Azure's built-in auto-shutdown feature. This allows you to set a specific time for your VM to shut down, which can help reduce costs during off-peak hours. To configure this:
- Log in to the Azure portal.
- Navigate to the VM you want to configure.
- Under the Operations section, select Auto-shutdown.
- Toggle the switch to On, set the desired shutdown time, and optionally configure notifications via email or webhook[1][9][10].
However, this method does not automatically restart VMs or handle complex conditions like CPU utilization.
2. Azure Automation
For more complex scenarios, such as shutting down VMs based on CPU utilization or other conditions, Azure Automation can be used. This involves creating a runbook that can stop VMs based on specific criteria:
- Create an Azure Automation Account: This is necessary for running scripts that manage your Azure resources[3].
- Create a Runbook: Write a PowerShell script that checks the VM's status and stops it if it's underutilized. For example, you can check CPU usage and stop the VM if it's below a certain threshold[3][4].
- Set Up a Schedule: Link the runbook to a schedule so it runs at regular intervals to check and potentially stop underutilized VMs[3].
3. Azure Alerts and Action Groups
Another approach is to use Azure Monitor to create alerts based on CPU utilization or other metrics. When these alerts trigger, they can call an action group that stops the VM:
- Create an Alert Rule: Set up an alert in Azure Monitor that triggers when a VM's CPU utilization falls below a certain threshold[4][6].
- Configure an Action Group: Set up an action group that includes a webhook or other action to stop the VM when the alert is triggered[2][4].
4. Azure Functions
Azure Functions can also be used to automate VM shutdowns. You can create a function that runs on a schedule or based on triggers and uses Azure's APIs to stop VMs:
- Create a Function App: Develop a function that checks VM utilization and stops it if necessary[5].
- Schedule the Function: Use Azure's scheduling capabilities to run the function at specific times or intervals[5].
Each method has its own advantages and can be chosen based on the complexity of your requirements and the scale of your environment.
Citations:
[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/auto-shutdown-vm
[2] https://www.brentmcconnell.com/2021/04/26/autoshutdown
[3] https://dev.to/rajeshkumaryadavdotcom/how-to-shutdown-your-azure-virtual-machine-automatically-when-idle-for-x-minute-a-step-by-step-guide-24jn
[4] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/cost-optimization-best-practices
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/AZURE/comments/xtdaa4/automating_stopping_vms/
[6] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/57897996/underutilized-virtual-machines-azure-alerts
[7] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/71391125/is-it-possible-to-automate-shutdown-in-azure-vms-to-save-costs
[8] https://developer.harness.io/docs/cloud-cost-management/use-ccm-cost-optimization/ccm-recommendations/azure-vm/
[9] https://impulztech.com/optimizing-azure-workloads-automate-vm-startup-and-shutdown/
[10] https://turbo360.com/blog/auto-shutdown-azure-vm-when-idle