Introduction to NLB resource plans - Server Load Balancer

Network Load Balancer (NLB) supports subscription resource plans. After an NLB resource plan takes effect, it automatically offsets the Load Balancer Capacity Unit (LCU) fees and instance fees of NLB. NLB 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. NLB resource plans are suitable for enterprises on a fixed budget.

Benefits

Ready to use
When you purchase an NLB 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
NLB resource plans provide 5,000 to 100,000 LCUs to meet the business requirements of various enterprises. You can purchase multiple NLB resource plans to meet your business requirements.
Cost effective
NLB resource plans are more cost-effective than the pay-as-you-go billing method. NLB resource plans of larger sizes provide LCUs at lower unit prices. You can purchase NLB resource plans to reduce the networking costs of your NLB service.

Regions in which NLB resource plans are available

Area	Region
Chinese Mainland	China (Qingdao), China (Beijing), China (Zhangjiakou), China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Shenzhen), China (Chengdu), China (Guangzhou), China (Ulanqab), China (Heyuan), China (Nanjing - Local Region), and China (Wuhan - Local Region)
Outside Chinese Mainland	China (Hong Kong), Singapore, Germany (Frankfurt), UK (London), US (Virginia), US (Silicon Valley), Japan (Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Indonesia (Jakarta), Philippines (Manila), and Thailand (Bangkok)

NLB resource plan sizes and pricing

Size	LCUs	Price (USD)
Small I	5,000	24.5
Small II	10,000	49
Medium	50,000	240
Large	100,000	475

Usage rules

Item	Description
Purchase NLB resource plans	You can configure an NLB resource plan to take effect either immediately after you complete the payment, or at a scheduled time. There is no limit to the number of resource plans that you purchase. If you purchase multiple NLB resource plans, the NLB resource plan with the earliest expiration time is preferentially applied. Note If your NLB resource plans are exhausted, you are charged for resource overages based on the pay-as-you-go billing method.
Accounts	Accounts registered at both the Alibaba Cloud China site and the Alibaba Cloud international site can purchase NLB resource plans.
Fees that can be offset by NLB resource plans	Instance and LCU fees. Important NLB resource plans cannot be used to offset the Internet data transfer fees of NLB, which are charged based on the Elastic IP Address (EIP) or Anycast EIP.
Offset rules	Instance fees: four LCUs per hour for each NLB instance. LCU fees: A `1:1` ratio is applied. The number of LCUs that are consumed by NLB per hour is deducted from your NLB resource plan.

FAQs

When does an NLB resource plan take effect?

If you select Effective Immediately when you purchase an NLB resource plan, the NLB resource plan immediately takes effect after you complete the payment.
If you select Effective at Specified Time (By Hour) when you purchase an NLB resource plan, the NLB resource plan takes effect at the specified time.

Are NLB resource plans applied based on the purchase time?

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

Can I export the usage details of an NLB resource plan?

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

Can I request a refund after I purchase an NLB resource plan?

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

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

Yes. Larger sizes provide LCUs at lower unit prices.

Can I purchase multiple NLB resource plans?

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

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

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

How can I view the information about an NLB resource plan?

On the Manage Reserved Instances page in the Expenses and Costs console, you can search for resource plans by specifying parameters such as Effective Time, and view the remaining LCUs and offset details about resource plans.

How do I select the size of an NLB resource plan?

You can use the NLB LCU Calculator to estimate the number of LCUs consumed by your NLB service and select a size accordingly.