Migrating your Server to the Cloud

How to calculate Microsoft Azure running costs for migrating a on-premise server.

Calculating the running costs for migrating an on-premises server to Azure is essential for effective planning and budgeting. Let’s break down the process.

Assess Your On-Premises Servers:

• Use Azure Migrate to assess your on-premises servers. This tool measures readiness and estimates the impact of migrating to Azure VMs.

• You can create an Azure VM Assessment to evaluate your servers for migration. It provides sizing recommendations based on performance data and estimates compute, storage, and network requirements.

Calculate Sizing Recommendations:

• Azure VM assessments offer two sizing criteria options:

  • Performance-based: Recommendations based on collected performance data. VM size recommendations consider CPU and RAM utilization, and disk types (Standard HDD, Standard SSD, Premium disks, and Ultra disks).

  • As-is on-premises: Recommendations without performance data. VM size is based on the existing server size.

• These recommendations help you choose the appropriate Azure VM size for your workload.

Estimate Monthly Costs:

• Once you have sizing recommendations, calculate the estimated monthly costs for running the servers in Azure after migration.

• Consider the following cost components:

  • Compute: Based on the chosen VM size and usage.

  • Storage: Costs for Azure disks (Standard HDD, Standard SSD, Premium, or Ultra).

  • Network: Data transfer costs (ingress and egress).

  • Security: Azure Security Center and other security-related services.

Use the Azure Pricing Calculator:

• The Microsoft Azure Pricing Calculator provides a reliable estimate for your Azure cloud costs.

• Begin by entering your current on-premises infrastructure details or planned infrastructure information.

• The calculator will give you an estimate of the total cost of ownership (TCO) for running Windows Server on Azure versus on-premises.

Consider EVCO Services:

• If you’re working with EVCO Services, collaborate closely with their team during the migration process.

• They can assist with cost analysis, planning, execution, and post-migration support.

Remember that each organisation’s costs will vary based on specific requirements, workload characteristics, and Azure services used. Proper assessment and planning are crucial for a successful migration to Azure! 🚀💡