SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines - Overview

This section provides comprehensive documentation for SQL Server running on Azure Virtual Machines (SQL VM). This solution allows you to run your on-premises SQL Server workloads in the cloud, offering flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining control over your environment.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Full Control: Maintain complete administrative control over the operating system and SQL Server instance.
  • Hybrid Flexibility: Seamlessly integrate your SQL Server deployments with existing on-premises infrastructure.
  • Cost Optimization: Leverage Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances and other cost-saving options.
  • High Availability & Disaster Recovery: Implement robust HA/DR solutions using Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, and Azure Site Recovery.
  • Automated Management: Utilize the SQL IaaS Agent extension for simplified management tasks like patching, backups, and HADR configuration.
  • Performance Scalability: Easily scale your VM size, storage, and other resources to meet demand.

Getting Started

To begin with SQL Server on Azure VMs, you can choose from several deployment methods:

  • Azure Marketplace Images: Deploy pre-configured SQL Server images directly from the Azure Marketplace.
  • Existing SQL Server Installation: Migrate your existing SQL Server installation to an Azure VM.
  • Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Templates: Automate deployment with Infrastructure as Code using ARM templates.
Explore Quickstarts

SQL IaaS Agent Extension

The SQL Server IaaS Agent extension is a key component for managing SQL Server on Azure VMs. It provides a host of automated capabilities:

  • Automated Patching: Schedule and manage Windows and SQL Server updates.
  • Automated Backups: Configure and manage automated database backups.
  • High Availability/Disaster Recovery: Simplify the setup and management of Always On Availability Groups and Failover Cluster Instances.
  • Performance Monitoring: Gain insights into SQL Server performance metrics.
  • Instance Management: Register, manage, and unregister SQL Server instances.

It is highly recommended to install and configure the SQL IaaS Agent extension for all SQL Server on Azure VM deployments to benefit from these management features.

Important: Ensure you understand the licensing implications for SQL Server on Azure VMs. Microsoft provides options for both "License Included" and "Bring Your Own License" (BYOL).

Common Use Cases

  • Lift-and-shift of existing SQL Server workloads.
  • Development and testing environments for SQL Server applications.
  • Running specific SQL Server editions or versions not available as PaaS.
  • Compliance requirements necessitating on-premises-like control.

Next Steps

Dive deeper into specific aspects of SQL Server on Azure VMs:

Tip: Consider Azure SQL Database or Azure SQL Managed Instance for PaaS solutions if you want to reduce infrastructure management overhead.