(Classic) Automated Azure Resource Scheduler

This article refers to the MyCloudIT Gen 2 platform, which was launched in 2015. Look for MyCloudIT Gen 3 to be launched in early 2021.

Overview

MyCloudIT’s built-in scheduler tool manages the usage of virtual machines (VM) to maximize the cost savings of your deployment. With a few clicks, you can automatically turn on and off your virtual machines via the scheduler and instantly realize the Azure consumption savings during non-working hours.

From the Dashboard, go to the selected Deployment > Schedule.

Set up the Scheduler feature

Before using the Scheduler, you will need to set it up for the first time.

1. Set up your Automation Account Type: The Basic plan is set at a rate of $0.002 per minute, and has no data caps. The Basic plan is chosen by default so your schedules may run without limitations.
2. Select the Time Zone you wish your schedules to run in. This time zone cannot be changed after you set it, and any schedules created for this deployment will all run under the same time zone setting.
3. Select the Location.
4. Click Submit, you’re ready to add your first schedule.

Add a new Resource Schedule

After completing the Scheduler setup, you can click “Add+” button to add a new schedule. There are two ways to add a schedule.

1. Work Week (Recommended): Workweek is a quick schedule setup recommended for businesses that have consistent working hours on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and/or weekends (Saturday & Sunday).
   Work Week schedule includes both “Start” and “Stop” actions for a complete working schedule. A Work Week schedule can include multiple running intervals on weekdays and/or weekends. You are now able to create different schedules for specific virtual machines.

   

   • Name the Schedule
   • Choose the VMs that will be running based on this schedule. This list will include all VMs used in the deployment.
   • Add/remove scheduled intervals on weekdays and/or weekends:
     • One-click to add a new interval
     • Drag to resize the interval
     • Double-click to remove an existing interval
     • An active Work Week schedule needs at least 1 scheduled interval
   • Click “Submit”.
2. Regular: Regular schedule is usually used for businesses that do not operate on the regular Monday-to-Friday schedule. It is also used to create a single schedule event, such as a single Stop, Start, or even a Restart to clean up the system occasionally.
   A regular schedule can only create 1 action at a time. That means if you want to create a working schedule from 8 AM to 5 PM on Monday – Saturday, you’ll need to create 2 separate Regular schedules – one to start the resources and the other to stop the resources.
   
   • Name your schedule
   • Choose the VMs that will be scheduled. This list will include all VMs used in the deployment.
   • Select an action: Start, Stop, or Restart. “Start” and “Stop” are used to create automatic schedules to save Azure consumption during non-working hours. Restart Resource Group only helps end a dead process and clean up the system occasionally.
   • Choose a Date & Time to execute the action
   • Repeat: Choose “No” for a one-time only event. Choose “Yes” to schedule the action on a weekly basis.
   • Click “Submit”
   • Note: You can only “Restart” the resources with the Regular schedule. (We can only restart a running deployment. If this deployment is already stopped, we can’t use restart to run this deployment. Only “Start” action will work)

Keep track of current schedule(s) and MyCloudIT savings

After creating one or more schedules, your Schedule panel will show the details and impacts they have on your deployment.

1. Predicted 24/7 Azure costs: This is an estimated amount of Azure consumption running 24/7 based on the last 30-day cost analysis. This is NOT the amount you will be charged on your Azure or MyCloudIT bill
2. MyCloudIT Savings: This reflects the total cost savings on Azure consumption in the next 30 days if your schedules or Azure consumption habits do not change.
3. Current Time: based on the time zone you have specified in the setup.
4. Under each schedule, you can click on the “+” sign to expand for more details:
   • A summary of the schedule
   • Specific servers that are affected by that schedule
5. Click on Actions to disable (pause), edit or delete the schedule
6. Click “Add+” to create a new schedule

Need help with the scheduler and cost-saving? Email us at support@mycloudit.com.