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Hello samabc,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback. This is a great question, and we completely understand how the scenario can feel confusing at first glance. The key detail is that the first table is describing the quota definition (the maximum limits available to the subscription in that region), while the later table is showing the deployed VMs that must be factored into quota usage when evaluating whether new VMs can be created. In other words, “0 of 15” in the quota table does not mean there are no VMs; it simply indicates that the subscription is allowed up to 15 vCPUs in that family and region. The subsequent step in the question then introduces existing VMs, and that’s where the real quota consumption must be calculated.
Accordingly, Azure enforces quotas at two levels: total regional vCPUs and VM size family vCPUs. Importantly, both running and deallocated VMs in a region still count against quota, which is why VM2 in a “Stopped (Deallocated)” state is still considered in use. In this case, VM1 (4 vCPUs) plus VM2 (8 vCPUs) equals 12 already consumed in North Central US, leaving just 3 vCPUs available out of the 15 quota.
So, the “deployed” machines represent the current consumption, and the “planned” machines (VM4, VM5, VM6) are the new requests being tested against the remaining quota. The exercise is really about whether you can calculate which planned VMs can fit into the available quota once existing usage is taken into account. This distinction between quota definition and quota consumption is the core of what the question is asking.
If you have further questions or need additional clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Best,
Irene @ Tutorials Dojo
