Overview
Azure SQL Managed Instance is the most compatible cloud solution for on-premises SQL Server applications, providing a nearly 100% compatibility with your on-premises SQL Server environment. It offers the broadest SQL Server engine compatibility, allowing you to lift and shift your existing SQL Server workloads to Azure with minimal changes.
SQL Managed Instance provides:
- 99.99% Availability: Built-in high availability and disaster recovery capabilities.
- Enhanced Security: Advanced threat protection, network isolation, and transparent data encryption.
- Performance: Scalable compute and storage options tailored to your needs.
- Managed Service: Microsoft handles patching, backups, and updates, freeing you to focus on your applications.
- Hybrid Benefits: Leverage your existing SQL Server licenses for cost savings.
Key Features
SQL Managed Instance offers a rich set of features that mimic the on-premises SQL Server experience:
- Instance-level Features: Supports SQL Agent, database mirroring, replication, cross-database queries, CLR, Service Broker, and more.
- Networking: Deploys within an Azure Virtual Network (VNet), offering private connectivity.
- SQL Server Compatibility: High compatibility with SQL Server 2005 and later versions.
- Managed Backups: Automated and managed backups with point-in-time restore capabilities.
- Migration Tools: Comprehensive tools and guidance for seamless migration.
When to Use Azure SQL Managed Instance
SQL Managed Instance is ideal for scenarios such as:
- Application Modernization: Migrating existing on-premises SQL Server applications to the cloud without significant refactoring.
- Lift and Shift: Moving entire SQL Server instances to Azure while maintaining compatibility.
- Hybrid Cloud Solutions: Creating hybrid environments that span on-premises and Azure.
- Disaster Recovery: Implementing robust disaster recovery strategies for your critical databases.
Getting Started
To get started with Azure SQL Managed Instance, you can:
- Review the Quickstart guide for a step-by-step deployment.
- Explore tutorials for common tasks and configurations.
- Use the Pricing Calculator to estimate costs.
Code Example: Creating a Managed Instance (Azure CLI)
az sql mi create \
--resource-group myresourcegroup \
--name mysqlinstance \
--location northeurope \
--admin-user myadmin \
--admin-password \
--subnet /subscriptions/YOUR_SUBSCRIPTION_ID/resourceGroups/myresourcegroup/providers/Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworks/myvnet/subnets/mysubnet \
--tier GeneralPurpose \
--family Gen5 \
--capacity 8 \
--edition Standard