Azure SQL Database Deployment Options
Azure SQL Database offers flexible deployment options to meet your application's needs, whether you require the fully managed platform-as-a-service (PaaS) of Azure SQL Database, or the flexibility and control of SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (IaaS).
Understanding the Core Options
Key Considerations for Choosing
When deciding between Azure SQL Database (PaaS) and SQL Server on Azure VMs (IaaS), consider the following:
- Management Overhead: PaaS significantly reduces administrative tasks like patching, backups, and high availability configuration.
- Control vs. Convenience: IaaS offers full control over the environment, while PaaS prioritizes ease of use and managed services.
- Cost: Both have different cost structures. PaaS often offers predictable pricing based on performance tiers, while IaaS pricing includes VM costs, SQL Server licenses, and storage.
- Compatibility: Ensure your existing applications and any specific SQL Server features you rely on are compatible with the chosen service.
- Performance and Scalability: Azure SQL Database offers various service tiers and elastic pools for dynamic scaling. SQL Server on VMs scales by resizing the VM and storage.
Common Use Cases
Azure SQL Database (PaaS) is ideal for:
- New cloud-native applications.
- Modernizing existing applications.
- Web and mobile applications.
- Applications requiring automated management and high availability.
SQL Server on Azure VMs (IaaS) is suitable for:
- Lift-and-shift migrations of existing on-premises applications.
- Applications with specific OS-level dependencies.
- Scenarios requiring full control over SQL Server configuration and features.
- Disaster recovery solutions for existing SQL Server environments.