Azure ExpressRoute Billing Model
Understanding the billing model for Azure ExpressRoute is crucial for managing costs and optimizing your network connectivity. ExpressRoute offers flexible pricing options tailored to your bandwidth needs and data transfer patterns.
Core Components of ExpressRoute Billing
ExpressRoute billing primarily consists of three main components:
- Port Speed: This is the bandwidth you provision for your ExpressRoute circuit. You are billed a monthly fee based on the port speed chosen (e.g., 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps). Higher port speeds incur higher monthly charges.
- Data Transfer: This refers to the amount of data that travels through your ExpressRoute circuit. There are typically two models for data transfer:
- Unlimited Data: For a higher monthly port fee, you can transfer an unlimited amount of data. This is often beneficial for high-volume traffic.
- Metered Data: You are charged based on the amount of data transferred in and out of Azure. This model typically has a lower monthly port fee but can become more expensive if your data transfer volume is significant.
- Provider Charges: In addition to Azure's charges, you will also incur charges from your network service provider (NSP) for the physical connectivity and any associated services they provide to establish the ExpressRoute circuit. These charges vary by NSP and the services you select.
Pricing Tiers and Options
ExpressRoute offers various port speeds and data transfer options to accommodate different business requirements. Here's a general overview of what you can expect:
| Port Speed | Data Transfer Option | Estimated Monthly Port Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Mbps | Unlimited | $300 - $450 | Ideal for smaller workloads. |
| 50 Mbps | Metered | $100 - $150 | Metered data charges apply. |
| 100 Mbps | Unlimited | $500 - $750 | Balanced option for moderate traffic. |
| 100 Mbps | Metered | $200 - $300 | Metered data charges apply. |
| 200 Mbps | Unlimited | $800 - $1200 | Suitable for larger deployments. |
| 200 Mbps | Metered | $300 - $450 | Metered data charges apply. |
| 1 Gbps | Unlimited | $1500 - $2200 | High-capacity connectivity. |
| 1 Gbps | Metered | $500 - $750 | Metered data charges apply. |
| 10 Gbps | Unlimited | $4000 - $6000 | Enterprise-grade, massive bandwidth. |
| 10 Gbps | Metered | $1500 - $2500 | Metered data charges apply. |
Note: The estimated monthly port fees are indicative and can vary significantly based on region, NSP, and specific service level agreements. Always refer to the official Azure pricing page and your NSP for precise costs.
Data Transfer Charges (Metered Model)
When using the metered data transfer model, you are charged for data egress (outbound from Azure to your on-premises network or other locations) and data ingress (inbound to Azure from your on-premises network). Typically, data ingress is free, while data egress is charged at a per-gigabyte rate.
Typical Egress Rates:
- $0.02 - $0.10 per GB (depending on region and volume)
For detailed pricing on data transfer by region, please consult the Azure ExpressRoute Pricing page.
ExpressRoute Premium Add-on
The ExpressRoute Premium add-on offers additional benefits for an extra monthly fee:
- Global Reach: Allows you to connect multiple ExpressRoute circuits across different locations.
- Increased Number of BGP Communities: Provides more granular routing control.
- Higher Limit on Number of VNETs: Supports a larger number of virtual networks per circuit.
- Unlimited Data Transfer: If you choose the metered model for your base ExpressRoute circuit, the Premium add-on includes unlimited data transfer.
The cost of the Premium add-on is a fixed monthly fee, in addition to your base port speed and data transfer charges.
- Region-Specific Pricing: Costs can vary significantly between Azure regions.
- NSP Contracts: Your agreement with your network service provider is separate from Azure charges.
- Data Egress vs. Ingress: Be mindful that data egress is usually the primary driver of data transfer costs.
- High Availability: Consider the cost implications of deploying redundant ExpressRoute circuits for high availability.
Example Scenario
Let's consider a scenario:
- Port Speed: 100 Mbps
- Data Transfer: Unlimited
- Region: East US
- ExpressRoute Premium: Yes
Estimated Monthly Cost:
- Base Port Fee (100 Mbps Unlimited): ~$600
- ExpressRoute Premium Add-on: ~$200
- Total Azure Monthly Fee: ~$800
Plus the charges from your network service provider.
Conclusion
The ExpressRoute billing model is designed to be flexible. By carefully selecting your port speed, data transfer option, and considering the Premium add-on, you can achieve cost-effective and reliable connectivity to Azure. Always refer to the official Azure pricing calculator and consult with your network service provider for accurate and personalized cost estimates.