Choose between serverless and provisioned models

When developing native applications using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB, one important consideration is determining whether to use a serverless or provisioned model. Both models offer distinct advantages, and choosing the right one for your application depends on factors such as scalability, cost, and performance requirements. In this article, we will explore the differences between the two models and help you make an informed decision.

Serverless Model

The serverless model in Azure Cosmos DB allows you to pay for the resources you consume on a per-request basis. It eliminates the need for provisioning and managing dedicated throughput for your containers or databases. With the serverless model, you can focus on developing your application without worrying about capacity planning or resource management.

To get started with the serverless model, you need to define the minimum and maximum throughput values for your containers. The minimum throughput ensures that your application doesn’t experience unexpected outages, while the maximum throughput provides the scalability required to handle high-demand periods. Azure Cosmos DB automatically provisions and releases resources based on the workload, making it suitable for applications with unpredictable or variable traffic patterns.

In the serverless model, you are billed based on the number of Request Units (RU) consumed by your operations. RU is a measure of the work done by Azure Cosmos DB operations, including reads, writes, and queries. The cost per RU varies based on the region and throughput configuration. Serverless is an ideal choice for small-scale applications with sporadic traffic or when you want to experiment with Azure Cosmos DB without committing to provisioned capacity.

Here’s an example of how you can create a serverless container using the Azure Cosmos DB .NET SDK:

DocumentContainerResponse containerResponse = await database.CreateContainerAsync("myContainer", "/partitionKeyPath", 5000);

Provisioned Model

The provisioned model, also known as dedicated throughput, allows you to manually provision and manage the capacity for your Azure Cosmos DB containers or databases. With the provisioned model, you can precisely allocate resources based on your application’s requirements and performance expectations. It offers higher throughput, lower latency, and predictable performance characteristics.

When using the provisioned model, you specify the desired throughput in terms of Request Units per second (RU/s) during container or database creation. Azure Cosmos DB reserves the allocated resources exclusively for your application, ensuring consistent performance even during peak loads. The provisioned model is suitable for business-critical applications with predictable and high-volume workloads.

Here’s an example of how you can create a provisioned container using the Azure Cosmos DB .NET SDK:

DocumentContainerResponse containerResponse = await database.CreateContainerAsync("myContainer", "/partitionKeyPath", 10000);

Choosing the Right Model

To determine whether the serverless or provisioned model is the right choice for your application, consider the following factors:

1. Workload: Evaluate the expected traffic patterns of your application. If your application has unpredictable or sporadic traffic, the serverless model may be a cost-effective choice. However, if your application experiences steady and high-volume workloads, the provisioned model offers better performance guarantees.
2. Cost: Consider your budget and cost constraints. The serverless model allows you to pay only for the resources you consume, making it suitable for cost optimization. On the other hand, the provisioned model requires upfront provisioning, so if cost predictability is important, it may be a better option.
3. Performance: Assess the performance requirements of your application. The provisioned model offers higher throughput and lower latency, making it ideal for latency-sensitive or mission-critical applications. If performance is a top priority, the provisioned model may be the right choice.

In conclusion, choosing between the serverless and provisioned models for native applications using Azure Cosmos DB requires careful consideration of scalability, cost, and performance factors. The serverless model provides flexibility and cost efficiency, while the provisioned model offers consistent performance and higher throughput. Assess your application’s needs and decide accordingly to ensure optimal performance and cost-effective operation.