When working with Azure Automation and Python runbooks, it is common to come across the need to create an auto start stop flexible server. In this article, we will explore three different ways to solve this problem using Python.

Solution 1: Using Azure SDK

The first solution involves using the Azure SDK for Python. This SDK provides a set of libraries and tools that allow you to interact with various Azure services, including Azure Automation. To implement the auto start stop flexible server, you can use the Azure SDK to manage the lifecycle of the server.

# Import the necessary libraries from the Azure SDK
from azure.mgmt.compute import ComputeManagementClient
from azure.common.credentials import ServicePrincipalCredentials

# Set up the credentials for authentication
credentials = ServicePrincipalCredentials(
    client_id='',
    secret='',
    tenant=''
)

# Create an instance of the ComputeManagementClient
compute_client = ComputeManagementClient(credentials, '')

# Start the server
compute_client.virtual_machines.start('', '')

# Stop the server
compute_client.virtual_machines.power_off('', '')

This solution requires you to have the necessary Azure credentials and subscription information. It provides a programmatic way to start and stop the server using the Azure SDK. However, it may involve additional setup and configuration.

Solution 2: Using Azure Automation Runbook

The second solution involves creating an Azure Automation runbook using Python. Azure Automation allows you to automate various tasks in the Azure environment, including starting and stopping servers. You can create a runbook that uses the Azure Automation Python module to start and stop the server.

# Import the necessary modules from the Azure Automation Python module
from azure.mgmt.automation import AutomationManagementClient
from azure.common.credentials import ServicePrincipalCredentials

# Set up the credentials for authentication
credentials = ServicePrincipalCredentials(
    client_id='',
    secret='',
    tenant=''
)

# Create an instance of the AutomationManagementClient
automation_client = AutomationManagementClient(credentials, '')

# Start the server
automation_client.jobs.start('', '', parameters={'action': 'start'})

# Stop the server
automation_client.jobs.start('', '', parameters={'action': 'stop'})

This solution leverages the power of Azure Automation to create a runbook that can be scheduled or triggered manually to start and stop the server. It requires the Azure Automation Python module and the necessary credentials.

Solution 3: Using Azure CLI

The third solution involves using the Azure CLI (Command-Line Interface) with Python. Azure CLI provides a command-line interface for managing Azure resources, and it can be used in conjunction with Python to automate tasks. You can use the Azure CLI commands to start and stop the server.

import subprocess

# Start the server
subprocess.run(['az', 'vm', 'start', '--resource-group', '', '--name', ''])

# Stop the server
subprocess.run(['az', 'vm', 'stop', '--resource-group', '', '--name', ''])

This solution relies on the Azure CLI commands executed through Python’s subprocess module. It provides a simple and straightforward way to start and stop the server using the Azure CLI. However, it requires the Azure CLI to be installed and configured.

Among the three options, Solution 1 using the Azure SDK provides the most comprehensive and programmatic approach to manage the auto start stop flexible server. It allows for fine-grained control and customization. However, the choice ultimately depends on your specific requirements and preferences.