FAQ

• What is a QPU?

  A Query Processing Unit (QPU) in Azure Analysis Services is a unit of measure for the relative computational performance for query and data processing. A standard tier S4 instance (which offers 400 QPUs) provides 4 times the computational performance of a standard tier S1 instance (which offers 100 QPUs). As a rule of thumb, one virtual core approximates to roughly 20 QPUs (although the exact performance depends on the underlying hardware and the hardware version used).

• How often can I change the service tier or performance level of a single instance?

  Customers can change performance levels within a tier. For example, you can move from S2 to S4 seamlessly, or vice versa. You can also move from a lower tier to a higher tier, but not vice versa. For example, you can move from the Basic tier to the Standard tier, but you can’t move from the Standard tier to the Basic tier.

• How will the usage of Azure Analysis Services appear on my bill?

  Azure Analysis Services bills on a predictable hourly rate based on both the service tier and performance level for a single instance. Actual usage is calculated to the second and billed on an hourly basis. For example, if an instance runs for 12 hours and 15 minutes in a month, your bill will show 12.25 hours of usage. If your instance is only active for 6 minutes, your bill will show 0.1 hour of usage.

• What happens when I pause my service?

  No charges apply when you pause your instance.