MS Azure Subscript/Sandbox for Certifications

Nolan Lemuel Augustine 235 Reputation points
2023-11-08T09:46:23.82+00:00

Shalom MSL Community,

[Question aimed at MS Team]

Can somebody please advise me on how to set up an MS Azure Sub/Directory for practice and certification purposes?

Recently after deallocating all VMS on my actual subscription I have found myself with a $35 invoice which in South Africa equates to over R600. After lodging a support request I was informed that some VMs still incur charges after de-allocation due to storage charges. I am not blaming MS but this is quite inconvenient and costly for me.

Considering my current path 104/204/305, I would hate for this to happen again.

[Question Summary]

  1. Can MS reverse or delete the charges on my account considering that the Sub was used for training and certification?
  2. Please advise if a dummy/training Sub can be setup in the Portal to avoid this in future.

Many thanks!

m_IndsRefuge_

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  1. Ryan Hill 28,106 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2023-11-08T20:37:03.9833333+00:00

    Hey @Nolan Lemuel Augustine hopefully I can address your issues.

    Can MS reverse or delete the charges on my account considering that the Sub was used for training and certification?

    You can request a refund through a billing support request ticket, but this is not a guarantee of getting refunded. Normally, refunds are issued due to a lack of availability, a miscalculation in the service offering, or a missed SLA target.

    Please advise if a dummy/training Sub can be setup in the Portal to avoid this in future.

    Various Learning path materials; see Exercise - Create a Windows virtual machine - Training | Microsoft Learn, will have a sandbox that you can use. This allows you run commands to complete training(s) on the learn platform. Not all units will have this sandbox, but this sandbox doesn't go against your personal subscription. You won't be charged for the resources as the environment is temporary and is disposed when you conclude the module.

    Beyond that, when you attempting to learn Azure, what I would do is create the resources I need to in a separate resource group. I would try complete said module on the same day and at the conclusion, delete the entire resource group.

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