Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Describe cloud conceptsMedium

A research institution needs to process massive datasets for scientific simulations. They require the ability to provision hundreds of virtual machines for a few hours and then de-provision them, paying only for the time they were used. Which cloud characteristic is most beneficial for this scenario?

  1. AMeasured service
  2. BResource pooling
  3. COn-demand self-service
  4. DBroad network access
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. Measured service

Measured service ensures that cloud resource usage is monitored, controlled, and reported, enabling a pay-per-use model. This directly supports the institution's need to pay only for the exact time resources are consumed for their short-term, high-intensity processing.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Resource pooling is about sharing physical resources, not how they are billed.
  • C. On-demand self-service allows users to provision resources, but doesn't specifically cover the 'pay only for what you use' aspect.
  • D. Broad network access is about connectivity, not the billing model for usage.

Measured Service

A cloud characteristic where cloud resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer. This enables a 'pay-as-you-go' or 'pay-per-use' billing model.

  • Tracks resource consumption
  • Enables transparent billing
  • Supports pay-per-use models

Memory trick: MEASURED service is like a utility meter, only pay for what you 'measure' and use.

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