Changes to Azure storage are rare, but when they happen, they can be game changers. Which is why we’re excited about the launch of Premium SSD v2—a significant milestone that offers enhanced performance at a lower cost. If you’re running a SQL Server on Azure, you may have previously relied on high-cost disks to achieve the performance you needed. With Premium SSD v2, you can now unlock higher performance and better value, making it a compelling option for optimising your environment.
In this blog, we’ll explore the features, benefits, and considerations to help you determine if Premium SSD v2 is the right fit for your workload.
What Makes Premium SSD v2 Unique?
Azure’s Premium SSD v2 introduces a new level of flexibility and performance for disk storage. Designed for virtual machines (VMs) and stateful containers, it offers the ability to scale performance and capacity independently, making it a cost-effective solution for specific workloads. However, its suitability depends on the unique needs of your environment. To understand whether Premium SSD v2 is suitable, let’s first examine its standout features:
Independent Scaling
Premium SSD v2 lets you scale IOPS and throughput separately from capacity. This flexibility ensures you don’t overpay for storage you don’t need. Example: If your workload requires high throughput but minimal storage, you can configure a smaller disk with higher performance metrics, optimizing both cost and efficiency.
Dynamic Adjustments
Performance settings can be modified up to four times in 24 hours without causing downtime. This capability allows your workload to adapt to fluctuating demands while maintaining continuous operations.
Cost Efficiency
By decoupling performance from capacity, Premium SSD v2 helps avoid unnecessary expenses, making it ideal for projects with constrained budgets.
What Workloads Benefit Most from Premium SSD v2?
Workloads that require consistent performance and low latency are an excellent match for the capabilities of Premium SSD v2. For instance, SQL servers and other database-driven applications often require low-latency storage to ensure faster and more reliable data access. Premium SSD v2 enhances these workloads by offering independent scaling and unparalleled flexibility, enabling organizations to meet their operational demands efficiently without the need for overprovisioning.
Key Considerations Before Choosing Premium SSD v2
While Premium SSD v2 offers significant advantages to reduce low-latency costs, there are a few limitations and considerations to keep in mind:
Zone Redundancy
Premium SSD v2 disks are restricted to a single zone and can only attach to VMs in the same zone. This limitation reduces redundancy to Locally Redundant Storage (LRS) and prevents replication with Azure Site Recovery (ASR).
OS Disk Compatibility
Premium SSD v2 cannot be used as an OS disk. If your workload depends on OS disks, you’ll need to consider alternative storage options.
Planning and Monitoring
To unlock the cost-saving potential, you must carefully plan and monitor your performance and capacity metrics. This added complexity may require additional management overhead.
How to Decide if Premium SSD v2 is Right for You
When evaluating Premium SSD v2 for your workload, ask the following questions:
Performance vs. Capacity
Are you over-provisioning capacity to achieve higher performance? Premium SSD v2 allows you to configure storage with the exact performance your workload demands without paying for unused capacity.
Scalability Needs
Does your workload require frequent adjustments to performance? With the ability to make up to four changes per day without downtime, Premium SSD v2 is ideal for workloads with dynamic demands.
Redundancy Requirements
How critical is zone redundancy for your workload? If your application demands high redundancy, the single-zone limitation of Premium SSD v2 may pose a challenge.
Recommended Scenarios
Premium SSD v2 is the right choice for:
- Workloads needing high performance with minimal capacity.
- Applications requiring flexibility to scale performance dynamically.
- Projects with limited budgets, where cost optimization is crucial.
Conclusion
Premium SSD v2 is a powerful option for workloads requiring high performance and scalability. However, its suitability depends on your specific needs, including redundancy requirements, workload compatibility, and cost goals.
If you need assistance evaluating whether Premium SSD v2 is the best choice for your workload, contact our team through the Contact Us page. We’re here to help you make the right decision for your Azure environment.