can we use Azure AI search for all 3 npe environments

Question

can we use Azure AI search for all 3 npe environments

Mahesh Bramandlapally 147

Hi Team,

Could you please help us with the below requirement and suggest whether it is feasible or recommended in a large-scale enterprise?

We are looking to host Azure AI search in a non-prod subscription where we will be hosting 3 npe environments (dev, qa and test).
Each environment (dev, qa and test) will have its own or dedicated VNet Ip address (for each env.) in the same Subscription

So, is it recommended to have only 1 Azure AI Search and host 3 env. search indexes? (this is to save the cost)

Please note that we need to establish connectivity of this AI search service (of each environment - Dev, QA, and Test), with other Subscription of each environment. The Azure AI Search service, however, resides in a separate subscription shared across all three environments.

Praneeth Maddali 12,670 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-25T07:41:29.43+00:00
HI @Mahesh Bramandlapally

Yes, this is supported for non-production environments. You can use a single Azure AI Search service and create separate indexes for Dev, QA, and Test to help reduce costs.

Each environment should have:

Its own index for logical isolation

Dedicated private endpoints from each VNet, even across different subscriptions

Important points to note:

Isolation is logical, not physical, so capacity and quotas are shared

This setup is only suitable for non-production use

For large enterprises, Microsoft advises using separate search services for production

Recommended setup:

Non-Prod (Dev/QA/Test): Use a shared Azure AI Search service with separate indexes

Prod: Use a dedicated Azure AI Search service

Reference:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/search-modeling-multitenant-saas-applications

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/service-create-private-endpoint

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/search-limits-quotas-capacity

Please do not forget to click "Accept the answer” and Yes, this can be beneficial to other community members.

If you have any other questions, let me know in the "comments" and I would be happy to help you
Praneeth Maddali 12,670 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-26T06:39:11.41+00:00

HI @Mahesh Bramandlapally

Just following up to see if your issue has been resolved or if you had a chance to review my earlier comment?

1 answer

Your answer

Praneeth Maddali 12,670 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-25T07:41:29.43+00:00

HI @Mahesh Bramandlapally

Yes, this is supported for non-production environments. You can use a single Azure AI Search service and create separate indexes for Dev, QA, and Test to help reduce costs.

Each environment should have:

Its own index for logical isolation

Dedicated private endpoints from each VNet, even across different subscriptions

Important points to note:

Isolation is logical, not physical, so capacity and quotas are shared

This setup is only suitable for non-production use

For large enterprises, Microsoft advises using separate search services for production

Recommended setup:

Non-Prod (Dev/QA/Test): Use a shared Azure AI Search service with separate indexes

Prod: Use a dedicated Azure AI Search service

Reference:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/search-modeling-multitenant-saas-applications

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/service-create-private-endpoint

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/search-limits-quotas-capacity

Please do not forget to click "Accept the answer” and Yes, this can be beneficial to other community members.

If you have any other questions, let me know in the "comments" and I would be happy to help you
Praneeth Maddali 12,670 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-26T06:39:11.41+00:00

HI @Mahesh Bramandlapally

Just following up to see if your issue has been resolved or if you had a chance to review my earlier comment?

Answer 1

Using Azure AI Search for multiple non-production environments (dev, QA, and test) within a single subscription can be a feasible approach, especially if cost savings are a priority. However, there are several considerations to keep in mind:

Single Azure AI Search Service: You can host one Azure AI Search service and create multiple indexes for each environment (dev, QA, and test). This setup can help reduce costs compared to provisioning separate Azure AI Search services for each environment.
Network Configuration: Each environment having its own dedicated VNet IP address is beneficial for security and isolation. Ensure that the Azure AI Search service can communicate with these VNets as needed. You may need to configure network access and firewall rules to allow the necessary connectivity between the Azure AI Search service and the VNets of each environment.
Connectivity Across Subscriptions: Since the Azure AI Search service will reside in a separate subscription, you will need to establish proper networking configurations to allow access from the VNets in the other subscriptions. This might involve setting up VNet peering or using Azure Private Link to ensure secure communication.
Performance Considerations: While consolidating services can save costs, be mindful of the performance implications. If the workloads for each environment are significant, you may need to monitor the performance of the single Azure AI Search service to ensure it meets the demands of all three environments without degradation.

In summary, while it is feasible to use a single Azure AI Search service for multiple non-production environments, careful planning regarding network access, performance, and connectivity is essential to ensure that it meets your enterprise requirements effectively.

References: