Overview

This quickstart guide will walk you through the process of creating a single, independent Azure SQL Database in the Azure portal. Azure SQL Database is a fully managed relational database service that supports regular software updates, patching, and backups without manual intervention. It offers a platform as a service (PaaS) that handles most database management functions.

Prerequisites

  • An Azure account. If you don't have one, you can sign up for a free account.
  • An existing Azure resource group. If you don't have one, you can create one within the Azure portal.

Steps to Create an Azure SQL Database

Step 1: Sign in to the Azure portal

Open your web browser and navigate to the Azure portal. Sign in with your Azure account credentials.

Step 2: Create a SQL database

  1. In the Azure portal search bar, type SQL databases and select it from the list of services.
  2. Click the + Create button.
  3. In the Basics tab, under Project details, select your Azure subscription and a resource group.
  4. For Database name, enter a unique name for your database (e.g., mydemosqldb).
  5. For Server, select an existing server or click Create new to create a new SQL server. If creating a new server, provide a unique server name, a location, and administrator login credentials.
  6. Under Workload environment, select Development for a dev/test workload or Production for a production workload.
  7. For Compute + storage, click Configure database. You can choose a predefined service tier (e.g., Basic, Standard, Premium) or select Serverless for a cost-effective option that scales automatically. For this quickstart, the default settings are usually sufficient.
  8. Click Apply to confirm your compute and storage selection.

Step 3: Networking Configuration (Optional but Recommended)

While not strictly required for the quickest creation, configuring networking is crucial for security:

  1. Navigate to the Networking tab.
  2. For Connectivity method, choose your preferred network access. Public endpoint is common for initial testing, but consider Private endpoint or Service endpoint for enhanced security.
  3. If using Public endpoint, you may want to configure firewall rules to allow access from your IP address or specific Azure services.

Step 4: Review and Create

  1. Navigate to the Review + create tab.
  2. Review the settings you've configured. If everything looks correct, click the Create button.

The deployment process will begin. It typically takes a few minutes for the database to be provisioned.

Next Steps

Once your Azure SQL Database is created, you can:

  • Connect to the database using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Azure Data Studio.
  • Populate the database with data.
  • Learn how to secure your Azure SQL Database.
  • Explore advanced features like Elastic Pools, Geo-replication, and Advanced Threat Protection.

You've successfully created a single Azure SQL Database! This provides a robust and scalable platform for your data needs.

View Azure SQL Database Documentation