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    Server Load Balancer:Introduction to ALB resource plans

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    Server Load Balancer:Introduction to ALB resource plans

    Last Updated:Mar 11, 2024

    Application Load Balancer (ALB) supports subscription resource plans. After an ALB resource plan takes effect, it automatically offsets the Load Balancer Capacity Unit (LCU) fees and instance fees of ALB. ALB resource plans are more cost-effective than the pay-as-you-go billing method. You can specify the time when you want your resource plans to take effect. ALB resource plans are suitable for enterprises on a fixed budget.

    Benefits

    • Ready to use

      When you purchase an ALB resource plan, you can specify the time when the resource plan takes effect. After a resource plan takes effect, Alibaba Cloud automatically uses the resource plan to offset LCU fees and instance fees. You do not need to configure the resource plan.

    • Multiple sizes

      ALB resource plans provide 1,000 to 100,000 LCUs to meet the business requirements of various enterprises. You can purchase multiple ALB resource plans to meet your business requirements.

    • Cost effective

      ALB resource plans are more cost-effective than the pay-as-you-go billing method. ALB resource plans of larger sizes provide LCUs at lower unit prices. You can purchase ALB resource plans to reduce the networking costs of your ALB service.

    Regions that support ALB resource plans

    Area

    Region

    Chinese mainland

    China (Qingdao), China (Beijing), China (Zhangjiakou), China (Ulanqab), China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Shenzhen), China (Chengdu), China (Guangzhou), and China (Heyuan)

    Outside the Chinese mainland

    China (Hong Kong), Japan (Tokyo), Singapore, Australia (Sydney), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Indonesia (Jakarta), India (Mumbai), US (Virginia), US (Silicon Valley), Germany (Frankfurt), UK (London), South Korea (Seoul), Philippines (Manila), Thailand (Bangkok), and SAU (Riyadh)

    Resource plan sizes and pricing

    Note

    The prices listed in the following table are for reference only. The prices on the buy page shall prevail.

    Size

    Number of LCUs

    Pricing (USD)

    Mini

    1,000 LCU

    7

    Small

    10,000 LCU

    69

    Medium

    50,000 LCU

    340

    Large

    100,000 LCU

    655

    Usage rules

    Item

    Description

    Purchase ALB resource plans

    • You can configure an ALB resource plan to take effect immediately after you complete the payment or at a scheduled time.

    • The number of resource plans that you can purchase is unlimited. If you purchase multiple ALB resource plans, the ALB resource plan with the earliest expiration time is preferentially applied.

      Note

      If your ALB resource plans are exhausted, you are charged for resource overages based on the pay-as-you-go billing method.

    Fees that can be offset by ALB resource plans

    Instance and LCU fees.

    Important

    ALB resource plans cannot be used to offset the Internet data transfer fees of ALB.

    Offset rules

    • Instance fee:

      • Basic ALB instances: one LCU per hour for each ALB instance.

      • Standard ALB instances: three LCUs per hour for each ALB instance.

      • WAF-enabled ALB instances: five LCUs per hour for each ALB instance.

    • LCU fees: A 1:1 ratio is applied. The number of LCUs that are consumed by ALB per hour is deducted from your ALB resource plan.

    FAQ

    • When does an ALB resource plan take effect?

      • If you select Immediately after Payment when you purchase an ALB resource plan, the ALB resource plan immediately takes effect after you complete the payment.

      • If you select Custom when you purchase an ALB resource plan, the ALB resource plan takes effect at the specified time.

    • Are ALB resource plans applied based on the purchase time?

      If you purchase multiple ALB resource plans, ALB preferentially applies the ALB resource with the earliest expiration time.

    • Can I export the usage details of an ALB resource plan?

      Yes, you can export the usage details of an ALB resource plan. You can view various information, such as the ID of the ALB instance to which the resource plan applies, the number of LCUs deducted by time, and the fees that are offset. For more information, see View the usage details of an ALB resource plan.

    • Can I request a refund after I purchase an ALB resource plan?

      No, you cannot request a refund for an ALB resource plan. After an ALB resource plan expires, unused LCUs are automatically cleared. You cannot transfer the unused LCUs to another resource plan.

    • Are ALB resource plans more cost-effective than the pay-as-you-go billing method of ALB?

      Except for the smallest size, ALB resource plans are more cost-effective than the pay-as-you-go billing method. Larger sizes provide LCUs at lower unit prices.

    • Can I purchase multiple ALB resource plans?

      Yes, you can purchase multiple ALB resource plans. The resource plan with the earliest expiration time is preferentially applied.

    • Do I need to configure an ALB resource plan after I purchase it?

      No, you do not need to configure an ALB resource plan after you purchase it. You only need to specify the time when an ALB resource plan takes effect when you purchase the resource plan.

    • How can I view the information about an ALB resource plan?

      You can view the basic information and usage details about a resource plan in the Alibaba Cloud User Center. You can search for resource plans by specifying parameters such as Effective Time and view the remaining LCUs and offset details about resource plans. For more information, go to the Resource Packages page.