Finding Underutilized Compute Instances
To control cloud costs, start by finding compute instances that are over-provisioned or poorly used. Key signals of underutilization are consistently low CPU usage, low memory utilization, and minimal network activity. When these patterns persist, the instance is likely costing more than the value it provides.
Always review these metrics over several days or weeks. Looking at a single moment can be misleading, because some workloads have short, infrequent spikes that still justify their size.
Once you have identified underutilized compute instances using these metrics and dashboards, you can take targeted actions to optimize costs. Start by confirming that the low usage is not due to temporary factors, such as a recent change in workload or a scheduled pause. If an instance is truly underutilized, consider right-sizing it by moving to a smaller instance type that better fits its actual workload. This reduces costs while maintaining performance. If the instance is not needed at all, decommission it by stopping or terminating it, and ensure that any associated resources, like attached storage or elastic IPs, are also cleaned up to prevent ongoing charges. Document your decisions and monitor the impact of these changes to ensure cost savings are realized without disrupting critical operations.
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To control cloud costs, start by finding compute instances that are over-provisioned or poorly used. Key signals of underutilization are consistently low CPU usage, low memory utilization, and minimal network activity. When these patterns persist, the instance is likely costing more than the value it provides.
Always review these metrics over several days or weeks. Looking at a single moment can be misleading, because some workloads have short, infrequent spikes that still justify their size.
Once you have identified underutilized compute instances using these metrics and dashboards, you can take targeted actions to optimize costs. Start by confirming that the low usage is not due to temporary factors, such as a recent change in workload or a scheduled pause. If an instance is truly underutilized, consider right-sizing it by moving to a smaller instance type that better fits its actual workload. This reduces costs while maintaining performance. If the instance is not needed at all, decommission it by stopping or terminating it, and ensure that any associated resources, like attached storage or elastic IPs, are also cleaned up to prevent ongoing charges. Document your decisions and monitor the impact of these changes to ensure cost savings are realized without disrupting critical operations.
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