Microsoft Azure introduced support for ARM-based virtual machines in additional regions this month, expanding options for cost-conscious cloud deployments.
The Ampere Altra-based VMs, available as Dpsv5 and Epsv5 series, now run in 12 regions worldwide including Southeast Asia, Australia, and South America.
Performance Numbers
Internal benchmarks show ARM VMs handling web workloads at 20% lower cost compared to equivalent x86 instances. Memory-intensive applications see similar savings.
Java and .NET applications run natively on the ARM architecture. Container workloads using multi-architecture images deploy without modification.
Migration Considerations
Applications compiled for x86 require rebuilding for ARM. Python, Node.js, and interpreted languages generally work without changes.
Database workloads may need testing. MySQL and PostgreSQL support ARM, while some specialized database engines remain x86-only.
Getting Started
ARM instances appear in the Azure Portal alongside standard VM options. Use the architecture filter to show ARM-compatible sizes.
Spot pricing applies to ARM instances, offering additional savings for interruptible workloads.
