I am interested in setting up a log sink to route audit logs to a BigQuery dataset. Is there any associated cost for this? According to the documentation at https://cloud.google.com/logging/docs/export/bigquery, it states that 'Cloud Logging doesn't charge to route logs to a supported destination; however, the destination might apply charges.'
I would like to confirm whether BigQuery applies charges for receiving logs. Additionally, could you provide details on the charges associated with data ingestion, storage, and queries in BigQuery? Specifically, for data ingestion costs, what is the category of operation for sinking real-time logs to a BigQuery table? Thank you.
BigQuery's pricing structure for receiving logs involves several components, each with specific conditions:
Streaming Data Ingestion: Charges apply when using the streaming API to directly stream data into BigQuery. The rate for streaming inserts is approximately $0.01 per 200 MB. However, this rate is subject to change, so it's advisable to check the current pricing on the official BigQuery Pricing Page.
Data Storage: BigQuery charges for storing data, with the rate for active storage being around $0.01 per gigabyte per month. Long-term storage, which applies to data not modified in the last 90 days, is available at a reduced rate.
Query Processing: Query charges in BigQuery are based on the volume of data processed. The rate for on-demand query processing is approximately $0.0005 per gigabyte. BigQuery also offers a flat-rate pricing model for users with high query volumes.
Regional Variation: The charges for BigQuery services can vary depending on the geographic region where the data is stored.
Free Tier: BigQuery provides a free tier, which includes a certain amount of free data storage and query processing each month.
It's important to note that these rates are approximate and can change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on BigQuery's pricing, including any potential discounts for committed use, it's recommended to consult the Google Cloud Pricing Calculator and the BigQuery Pricing Page.