In this Azure Essentials episode, hosts Thomas Maurer and Shreya Bahati explain how to save on cloud costs and modernize infrastructure by migrating Linux VMs to Azure, highlighting practical strategies for licensing, migration, and maximizing savings.

Unlocking Cloud Savings for Linux VMs with Azure Hybrid Benefit

Hosts: Thomas Maurer, Shreya Bahati
Show: Azure Essentials

Learn how to maximize your organization’s cloud savings by leveraging the Azure Hybrid Benefit for Linux. This episode guides enterprises through the benefits and practical steps for migrating Red Hat and SUSE Linux subscriptions to Azure with minimal effort and no downtime.

Key Takeaways

  • Azure Hybrid Benefit for Linux: Migrate your existing Red Hat and SUSE Linux subscriptions to Azure, applicable to both new and existing virtual machines (VMs).
  • Licensing Models: Compare Bring Your Own Subscription (BYOS) and Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) models to determine the most cost-effective approach for your workloads.
  • Cost Savings: Realize up to 76% reduction in cloud costs by utilizing the Azure Hybrid Benefit, allowing you to modernize and optimize your infrastructure.
  • Seamless Migration: Steps for a smooth migration process, including switching between licensing models and applying benefits to supported VM types.
  • Planning and Estimation: Use the Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate cost savings and choose the best model for your organization’s needs.

Steps to Enable Azure Hybrid Benefit for Linux

  1. Determine Eligibility: Verify your existing Red Hat or SUSE subscription’s eligibility for Azure Hybrid Benefit.
  2. Choose Licensing Model: Decide between BYOS and PAYG, understanding the pros, cons, and impact on your organization’s billing.
  3. Migrate VMs: Follow the documented process to migrate VMs with zero downtime, whether starting anew or bringing over existing workloads.
  4. Optimize Cost Savings: Continuously monitor and adjust as your workload or licensing needs change, using Azure resources and workbooks.
  5. Explore Further: Review the official documentation and cost estimation tools linked below.

Useful Resources

By understanding and applying the Azure Hybrid Benefit for Linux, organizations can significantly reduce cloud costs, modernize their Linux infrastructure, and benefit from Azure’s flexible licensing and migration options.