Create an Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB vCore cluster by using the Azure portal – Free Tier

My name is Suniti, and I am a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador. In this blog, we will learn how to set up a MongoDB vCore cluster in the free tier to create and run a workload using Azure Cosmos DB.

hereto quick startCreate a new Azure Cosmos DB for your MongoDB vCore cluster. This cluster contains all MongoDB resources, including databases, collections, and documents. Clusters provide their own endpoints for various tools and SDKs to connect to Azure Cosmos DB and perform routine tasks.

Prerequisites:

1. An Azure account with an active subscription. Create an account here.

Understand basic terminology:

• Azure Subscription – An active Azure subscription is a logical container in which users can provision resources such as databases, virtual machines, etc. in Azure.
• Resource group – In Azure, a resource group is a logical container that holds related resources for an Azure solution. Resource groups are used to manage resources as a single entity based on lifecycle and security.
• Resources – Manageable items available through Azure. Virtual machines, storage accounts, web apps, databases, and virtual networks are examples of resources.
• Cluster – A cluster in Azure represents a group of interconnected virtual machines (VMs) or physical servers that work together to perform a specific task or workload.

Create a vCore cluster

Create a MongoDB cluster using Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB vCore.

1. log in Azure portal
2. making resource group
   1. Select resource group
   2. Select Create.
   3. Enter the following values:
      • Subscription: Select your Azure subscription.
      • Resource group: Enter a new resource group name.
      • Select a regional Azure location
   4. Select Review + Create.
   5. Select Create.

3. make Azure Cosmos DB resources
   1. Search for and select your Azure Cosmos DB resource. > Select “Create” from the menu panel.

      

   2. choose “Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB“.

      

   3. Architecture Selection – vCore cluster (recommended) for this blog

      

   4. Enter the following values:
      • Subscription: Select an existing Azure subscription.
      • Resource Group: Select the resource group created above.
      • Cluster name: Enter a name for your Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB cluster.
      • Select “Free Tier.”
      • Location: Select the nearest location.
      • MongoDB version: Download the latest version of MongoDB.
      • Administrator account settings: Create an administrator user account and password. We will use it in our API to access the database.
        

   5. choose Next: Global Deployment (Preview).
   6. click Next: Networking. under Firewall Rules section of the Networking tabchoose Allow public access to this cluster from Azure services and resources within Azure. Additionally, add firewall rules to grant access to client devices or applications to connect to the cluster.
   7. shellac “Review + Create” > “Create”.
   8. Review the settings you provided, then select Create. It takes a few minutes to create the cluster. Wait until the portal page shows that deployment is complete before proceeding.
   9. Select Go to resource to go to the Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB cluster page.
4. congratulations. You have successfully created your first vCore cluster using Cosmos DB for MongoDB!

Key benefits of Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB free tier

• No initial cost: The free tier lets you get started with Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB without any initial financial commitment, allowing you to explore and experiment for as long as you need without worrying about costs.
• Easy onboarding: Setting is simple. During cluster provisioning, simply select the “Free Tier” option from the drop-down menu. This streamlined process helps you get started quickly and easily.
• Ample storage (32GB): The free tier offers a hefty 32GB of storage, giving you plenty of room to handle evaluation or small production workloads without the risk of running out of disk space.
• Smooth upgrade path: As your requirements grow, upgrading to paid tiers is hassle-free. You can transition seamlessly while preserving your data, connection strings, and firewall settings, ensuring application expansion is seamless and uninterrupted.

What are my options for migrating data from MongoDB to Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB on vCore?

1. Azure Data Studio (online)

The Azure Cosmos DB migration extension for MongoDB helps you migrate your MongoDB workloads to Azure Cosmos DB. This extension allows you to:

• Perform a comprehensive assessment of your workload to identify the steps required to migrate to Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB on vCore.
• Select specific databases and collections to run migrations and seamlessly transition them to Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB on vCore.

2. Native MongoDB (offline)

You can use native MongoDB tools such as: Mongo Dump/Mongo Store, Mongolian export/Mongolian import Migrate datasets to the vCore-based Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB product offline without replicating live changes.

conclusion

In this blog, we looked at how to create an Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB vCore cluster using the free tier, highlighting key benefits such as no initial cost, easy onboarding, and seamless scalability. Azure Cosmos DB provides a powerful, fully managed solution that helps you easily scale your MongoDB workloads. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to migrate existing workloads, Cosmos DB provides the flexibility and performance you need for modern application development.

Thank you for following along. For more information about data migration and getting the most out of Azure Cosmos DB, feel free to explore our resources section.

resources

1. Quickstart: Create a new cluster – Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB vCore | microsoft run
2. Azure Cosmos DB Migration Extension for MongoDB (Preview) – Azure Data Studio | microsoft run
3. Azure Cosmos DB Migration Extension for MongoDB (Preview) – Azure Data Studio | microsoft run
4. Migrate MongoDB using MongoDB native tools – Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB vCore | microsoft run
5. Azure Cosmos DB Migration Extension for MongoDB (Preview) – Azure Data Studio | microsoft run
6. Azure Cosmos DB Migration Extension for MongoDB FAQ (Preview) – Azure Data Studio | microsoft run
7. Create a free Azure account or pay as you go | Microsoft Azure
8. Use Azure Cosmos DB for free.
9. Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB – YouTube
10. GitHub – Azure-Samples/azure-cosmosdb-mongodb-api-nodejs-bookstore: CosmosDB Bookstore provides sample B…