Azure memory monitoring

Azure memory monitoring in XorMon adds memory usage metrics to the CPU %, data, IOPS and network it collects for each Azure virtual machine, Windows or Linux. Azure does not collect memory by default: the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) must send memory counters to a Log Analytics Workspace, otherwise XorMon is not able to get them from Azure.

How does XorMon check memory usage of Azure virtual machines?

XorMon shows the memory usage of an Azure virtual machine once Azure collects it: a Data Collection Rule sends memory counters from the virtual machine to a Log Analytics Workspace through the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA).

Azure does not collect memory by default, so without this rule XorMon is not able to get memory data from Azure. The rule applies to Windows and Linux virtual machines. In the feature matrix, memory is the only Azure virtual machine metric that requires the Azure Monitor Agent; CPU %, data, IOPS and network do not.

Sources: Azure memory monitoring, updated 2026-11-11, Microsoft Azure monitoring, updated 2026-11-02, and Feature matrix.

Which Azure data does XorMon get for Windows and Linux virtual machines?

XorMon collects CPU %, data, IOPS and network for each Azure virtual machine, Windows or Linux, and adds memory when Azure collects it through the Azure Monitor Agent.

The data frequency table lists Microsoft Azure with a 1 minute sample rate and data collection every 20 minutes.

Sources: Azure memory monitoring, updated 2026-11-11, Data frequency, updated 2026-05-04, and Feature matrix.

Key points

  • Memory of Azure virtual machines, Windows or Linux, comes from the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA).
  • Azure does not collect memory by default: a Data Collection Rule sends memory counters to a Log Analytics Workspace.
  • Covers Windows and Linux virtual machines.
  • Memory joins CPU %, data, IOPS and network in the Azure virtual machine metrics.
  • Azure data collected every 20 minutes, sampled every minute.

Memory data collection setup in Azure

Azure Data Collection Rule (DCR) Setup for Memory Metrics
You have to enable memory data collection collection in Azure otherwise XorMon is not able to get it from Azure as it does not collect it by default.

Goal: Collect memory usage metrics from a VM and send them to a Log
Analytics Workspace using Azure Monitor Agent (AMA).

Prerequisites: - Azure VM (Windows or Linux) - Log Analytics Workspace -
Permissions to create Data Collection Rules - Azure Monitor Agent (AMA)

Steps:
  1. Open Azure Portal
    • Search for Data Collection Rules
    • Click + Create

  2. Basics
    • Name: vm-memory-dcr
    • Select Subscription and Resource Group
    • Region must match VM
    • Click Next
    • Platform Type: Linux or Windows

  3. Resources
    • Click + Add resources
    • Select your VM(s)
    • Confirm selection

  4. Add Data Source
    • Click + Add data source
    • Choose Performance counters

  5. Configure Memory Counters
    Windows:
    • \Memory\% Committed Bytes In Use
    • \Memory\Available Bytes
    • \Memory\Committed Bytes
    Linux: AvailableMemoryMB, UsedMemoryMB
    • or simply select Memory in basic tab
    • Set Sample Rate: 60 seconds

  6. Destination
    • Click + Add destination
    • Choose Azure Monitor Logs
    • Select your subscription and workspace

    7. Last updated: