SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines - Overview

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) provides the full capabilities of a SQL Server installation running on a dedicated virtual machine in Azure. It combines the flexibility of Infrastructure‑as‑a‑Service (IaaS) with the familiar tools, features, and performance of SQL Server.

Key Features

Full administrative control over the OS and SQL Server instance.
Support for all SQL Server editions: Enterprise, Standard, Web, and Express.
Integration with Azure services: Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, Azure Monitor, and more.
High‑availability options: Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances.
Scalable compute and storage with Azure VM sizes and managed disks.

Benefits

Benefit	Description
Control	Root/administrator access to OS and SQL Server.
Compatibility	Run legacy applications that require OS‑level configuration.
Hybrid	Seamless connectivity to on‑premises networks via VPN/ExpressRoute.
Security	Azure security controls + native SQL Server security features.
Cost‑effective	Pay‑as‑you‑go pricing, reserved instances, and Azure Hybrid Benefit.

Getting Started

Deploy a SQL Server VM using the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or an ARM template.

# Azure CLI example
az group create --name MyResourceGroup --location eastus
az vm create \
  --resource-group MyResourceGroup \
  --name MySqlVm \
  --image MicrosoftSQLServer:SQL2019-WS2019:Standard:latest \
  --admin-username azureuser \
  --admin-password MyP@ssw0rd! \
  --size Standard_DS3_v2 \
  --storage-sku Premium_LRS

After deployment, connect using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Azure Data Studio.

View Quickstart Guide

Pricing

Pricing depends on the VM size, SQL Server edition, and storage type.

Pay‑as‑you‑go: Hourly rates for the selected VM SKU.
Reserved Instances: Up to 72% savings for 1‑ or 3‑year commitments.
Azure Hybrid Benefit: Use existing on‑premises licenses for additional savings.

FAQ

Can I migrate an on‑premises SQL Server to an Azure VM?: Yes. Use Azure Migrate, Database Migration Service, or backup‑restore methods.
Is there a limit to the number of databases?: No. The limits are defined by the VM resources and SQL Server edition.
How does backup work?: Azure Backup provides point‑in‑time recovery; you can also use native SQL Server backups to Azure Blob storage.