Understanding and retrieving usage data is crucial when working with Azure Stack Hub in a Hybrid Cloud environment. This requirement is possible through the Azure’s Usage API, a service that facilitates access to usage and metering data.
This Usage API is designed to monitor all of your Azure Stack Hub services while identifying your consumption patterns. It records all the resources that are being used by your deployments and provides detailed information on the service usage. It also categorizes the usage data in terms of subscriptions, resource groups, or services.
Retrieving Usage Data
You can get usage data by making a GET request to the Usage API. For instance:
GET https://management.azure.com/subscriptions/{subscriptionId}/providers/Microsoft.Commerce/UsageAggregates?api-version=2015-06-01-preview&reportedstartTime=reportedEndTime&reportedEndTime=reportedEndTime&showDetails=true
In this request:
- `{subscriptionId}` : this should be replaced with your Azure Stack Hub subscription ID.
- `reportedstartTime` : the start time of the period you want to monitor.
- `reportedEndTime` : the end time of the period you want to monitor.
- `showDetails` : a boolean flag that determines whether or not to show the detailed view.
When you make this request, Azure will return a JSON object with an array of usage aggregations. Each of these aggregations contains detailed information about your usage, including the subscription ID, resource group, instance data, and more.
Using PowerShell for Usage Data Retrieval
You can also use PowerShell to retrieve usage data applying the `Get-UsageAggregates` cmdlet. For example:
Get-UsageAggregates -ReportedStartTime “2020-05-01T00:00:00Z” -ReportedEndTime “2020-05-31T23:59:59Z”
This command will return data similar to the Usage API, but it’s often easier to work with in a PowerShell context.
Interpreting the Data
The data returned by either API request or PowerShell cmdlet is detailed and extensive. The main fields include:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| SubscriptionId | The ID of the subscription. |
| ResourceGroup | The name of the resource group. |
| Name.Value | The service being used. |
| UsageStartTime | The start time of the usage. |
| UsageEndTime | The end time of the usage. |
| Unit | The unit of the usage (i.e., Hours, GB). |
| MeterId | The ID of the meter. |
| InfoFields.MeteredRegion | The region where the usage occurred. |
| InfoFields projectId | Your tenant projectId. |
| Tags | Any tags you have added to your resources. |
Essentially, the Usage API is a powerful tool for analyzing your Azure Stack Hub services usage. It provides you with an in-depth look at your consumption, allowing you to make data-driven decisions to enhance the operation and configuration of your Hybrid Cloud environment. This aligns with the AZ-600: Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub certification exam’s objectives, preparing you for successfully managing Azure resources consumption and costs.
Practice Test
True or False: The Usage API allows you to retrieve usage data for individual users.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The Usage API provides usage information on a user-by-user basis. It provides detailed usage information for individual users within the Azure Stack Hub.
Which of the following can be obtained by using the Usage API?
- a) Active Users
- b) Consumed Resources
- c) Billing Information
- d) System Errors
Answer: b) Consumed Resources, c) Billing Information
Explanation: The Usage API provides information on consumed resources and billing details. It does not provide information on active users or system errors.
True or False: The Usage API allows you to view usage data in real-time.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: The Usage API provides usage data for the past, it does not provide real-time usage data.
What is the primary function of the Azure Stack Hub usage API?
- a) To view API usage data.
- b) To view and retrieve resource usage data.
- c) To monitor system errors.
- d) To manage user permissions
Answer: b) To view and retrieve resource usage data.
Explanation: The primary function of the Azure Stack Hub usage API is to view and retrieve resource usage data within an Azure Stack Hub deployment.
Which one of the following information is not provided by the Usage API?
- a) Subscription ID
- b) User ID
- c) Resource ID
- d) Total virtual machines running
Answer: d) Total virtual machines running.
Explanation: The Usage API provides detailed usage information like subscription ID, User ID, and Resource ID. But it does not provide the total count of running virtual machines.
True or False: The Usage API supports both user-level and admin-level views.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The Usage API supports both user-level and admin-level views for retrieving usage data.
Usage API can be accessed using which of the following methods?
- a) REST API calls
- b) PowerShell Cmdlets
- c) Azure CLI
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above.
Explanation: The Usage API can be accessed using REST API calls, PowerShell Cmdlets, and Azure CLI.
In Azure Stack Hub, where is the usage data stored?
- a) Local SQL Database
- b) Microsoft Azure
- c) Usage Blob
- d) Azure Cosmos DB
Answer: c) Usage Blob
Explanation: In Azure Stack Hub, the usage data is stored in a usage blob which can be accessed through the Usage API.
True or False: You can only access the usage API data if you are an Azure Stack Hub operator.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: The usage API data can be accessed by both Azure Stack Hub operators and users.
What is the format of data provided by Azure Stack Hub’s Usage API?
- a) XML
- b) JSON
- c) CSV
- d) TXT
Answer: b) JSON.
Explanation: The Usage API in Azure Stack Hub provides data in JSON format.
True or False: The Azure Stack Hub usage API provides resource consumption data on a pay-as-you-go basis.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The usage API provides resource consumption data for services that are sold on a pay-as-you-go basis in Azure Stack Hub.
One of the required parameters to call the Usage API is:
- a) Resource Group name
- b) ReportedStartTime
- c) VM Size
- d) API Version
Answer: b) ReportedStartTime
Explanation: ReportedStartTime is a required parameter to call the usage API, as it filters the data by the start time of the reported usage data.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of the Azure Stack Hub Usage API?
The Azure Stack Hub Usage API allows you to view and retrieve usage data for your Azure Stack Hub operations. It helps in managing costs and billing activities based on resources used within the Azure Stack Hub.
What is the primary resource that you can retrieve usage data for using the Azure Stack Hub Usage API?
You can retrieve usage data for tenant and service administrative subscriptions within Azure Stack Hub.
How does the Azure Stack Hub Usage API help with cloud management and operations?
By using the Azure Stack Hub Usage API, administrators can track resource usage on a granular level, enabling better forecasting, cost allocation, and understanding of load patterns. This can greatly assist in managing and operating the cloud environment.
What types of usage data can be retrieved using the Azure Stack Hub Usage API?
You can retrieve usage data related to compute hours, storage consumed, network bandwidth usage, and other resource-specific data within the Azure Stack Hub.
Can you retrieve both analyzed and raw usage data with the Azure Stack Hub Usage API?
Yes, the Azure Stack Hub Usage API allows you to retrieve both analyzed and raw usage data. However, raw data is limited to 90 days.
Is the Azure Stack Hub Usage API a RESTful API?
Yes, the Azure Stack Hub Usage API is a RESTful API which allows you to send HTTP requests to retrieve usage data.
What authentication method is required to use the Azure Stack Hub Usage API?
To use the Azure Stack Hub Usage API, you need to authenticate with either Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) or Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS depending on what you are using in your Azure Stack Hub.
What is the granularity of data received from the Usage API in Azure Stack Hub by default?
By default, the granularity of data received from the Usage API in Azure Stack Hub is aggregated at an hourly level.
What tool can you use to retrieve usage data in combination with the Azure Stack Hub Usage API?
You can use PowerShell in combination with the Azure Stack Hub Usage API to retrieve usage data.
What data format does the Azure Stack Hub Usage API return?
The Azure Stack Hub Usage API returns a CSV file that contains detailed usage data.
Can Azure Stack Hub Usage API be used to fetch historical data?
Yes, the Azure Stack Hub Usage API can retrieve historical usage data but only up to 90 days in the past.
Can you apply custom filters with the Azure Stack Hub Usage API to retrieve specific data?
Yes, you can apply filters such as startDate and endDate to retrieve specific data.
How is billing calculated in Azure Stack Hub?
Billing in Azure Stack Hub is calculated based on the data received from the Azure Stack Hub Usage API.
What would be the API version to be used while making requests to Azure Stack Hub Usage API?
The API version to be used while making requests to Azure Stack Hub Usage API is ‘2015-06-01-preview’.
Is it possible to view resource usage for individual subscriptions using Azure Stack Hub Usage API?
Yes, it is possible to view resource usage for individual subscriptions by using the Azure Stack Hub Usage API.
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