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WHY USE SQL SERVER IN CLOUD

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Cloud-Based SQL Server

Many businesses are now conducting significant research on shifting from a dedicated server (in-house) environment to cloud-based SQL Server databases. Concerns about declining performance, handing up administrative control of core systems and applications, and maintaining optimal security for critical company data have all fueled this trend. It was fairly uncommon for enterprises testing database applications on the cloud to see severe performance degradation until recently.

However, advances in SQL Server and cloud infrastructures, combined with a hosting service provider’s knowledge and expertise managing databases in the cloud, have now resolved many of the security and performance issues that have previously prevented companies from deploying more high-volume, data-intensive applications to the cloud beyond testing and development.

sql-server

Figure 1-01 -: SQL Server

 

Benefits

It’s necessary to evaluate some of the advantages of utilizing SQL Server in the cloud:

  • Simplified administration, with database platform, operating system, and hardware management delegated to others.
  • Scalable resources, allowing you to add or withdraw resources as your needs change.
  • Data access via ODBC, PHP, and ADO.NET integration.
  • SQL Server Management Studio is used for management.
  • The majority of Microsoft SQL Server’s core features.

Downsides

Aside from all of the advantages, there are some drawbacks to using Azure SQL Database. These are the on-premise functionalities that have yet to be integrated with the Cloud and will be available shortly in the Managed Instance:

  • Native database backup and restore using SQL Server Agent Database Mail.
  • Servers that are linked.
  • Transactions between databases.
  • CLR modules for SQL.
  • Encryption of Transparent Data (TDE).
  • SQL Audit Always Encrypted Row-Level Security.
  • On Azure, Installing a SQL Server Database .

Let’s have a look at installing SQL Server Database on Azure and then performing a performance analysis using one of the most well-known Cloud services, Azure.

A determined set of compute and storage resources is used to establish an Azure SQL database. The database is built in an Azure resource group and a logical server called Azure SQL Database.

5 Reasons To Use Azure SQL Database In The Cloud

 Database-as-a-service (DBaaS) providers offer flexible, cloud-based databases as a subscription service as an alternative to pricey, generally inflexible local database solutions. Azure SQL Database is one of the most extensively used and trusted DBaaS solutions. Cost savings, increased scalability and performance, excellent security, simpler database administration, and state-of-the-art business continuity and disaster recovery are just a few of the compelling reasons to migrate your SQL database to Azure’s cloud model (BCDR). Here’s a closer look at each of them:

1. Cost-Cutting

 

Making Switch From Capital To Operational Expenses

One of the most noticeable advantages of switching to the Azure DBaaS architecture is that you won’t have to spend as much money on pricey onsite hardware. Rather, you can consider the costs of your Azure database as a continuous operational expenditure.

This is beneficial for both cash flow and budgeting. Furthermore, depreciation, obsolescence, replacement, and other financial considerations associated with capital assets and expenditures are no longer a concern. There are other ways to save money on software. As part of the increasing Azure Hybrid Use Benefit, the Azure team recently announced that in many circumstances, Microsoft SQL Server license holders would be able to extend their software licenses to the cloud.

sql-server-In-cloud

Figure 1-02 -: SQL Server In Cloud

Financial Risk Is Reduced.

When compared to an on-premises approach, hosting your database in the Azure cloud poses a lower financial risk. If you choose the incorrect architecture, hardware specifications, and so on, you can easily and quickly convert to a different architecture or adjust the specifications. When it comes to physical gear, however, you’re usually stuck with what you bought.

Best-Of-Breed Hardware

Azure makes use of top-of-the-line hardware that you might not be able to afford as an onsite IT investment. The performance of your cloud implementation will improve as Azure’s hardware improves.

 

2. Improved Performance And Scalability

By design, DBaaS is a highly flexible and scalable model. You may instantly spin up more instances to address traffic surges, seasonal ebbs, and flows, or a fast-developing site, app, or service, unlike with physical hardware.

Ways To Get Around Database Limits

An important issue is the size of the SQL database you’re moving to the cloud. Depending on the area, Azure’s maximum single-database storage limit is now 1 to 4 TB. However, by splitting much of your data among several instances, or shards, you may quickly grow your cloud solution beyond this threshold. Many database administrators favor this strategy since it can considerably improve scalability.

A Competitive Advantage

SQL Azure was built primarily for cloud deployments, offering it a performance advantage over alternative DBaaS systems in many situations. Both MySQL and PostgreSQL are now fully supported by Azure. As a result, if you have existing MySQL or PostgreSQL-based apps that you wish to keep operating in the cloud, Azure can now completely support the migration.

benefits-of-sql

Figure 1-03 -: Benefits of SQL

3. High-level Security

DBaaS is frequently the best solution for rapid development scenarios, testing environments, proofs-of-concept, and business continuity and disaster recovery due to its potential for rapid provisioning and reduced time-to-market (BCDR). As a result, if you have extremely sensitive data and security is a top priority, you might wish to start with the Azure cloud model on these fronts. However, as the DBaaS model matures, it’s quickly becoming a competitive, if not preferred, solution for many production scenarios that deal with critical data.

4. Streamlined Database Management

Switching completely to the Azure DBaaS platform will have a major and long-term impact on your database administration requirements. However, it would be a mistake to believe that following a successful cloud migration, you will no longer require a DBA to oversee and maintain your database. For a smaller but equally significant set of tasks, you’ll only require a DBA. Depending on whether you’re making a whole or partial move to the cloud, you might not need a DBA to set up and configure your onsite hardware, manage traditional backup and recovery, or handle any of the other tasks that come with an on-premises setup. Even if you’ve moved all of your SQL databases to Azure SQL Database, you’ll still need a DBA for important operations like SQL updates, database health checks, data warehousing, database tuning, and speed optimization.

As part of a flexible monthly plan, you may typically engage an independent, remote team of highly trained Microsoft cloud database experts to handle your new set of DBA needs, depending on the SLA you desire. These DBaaS professionals can also act as advisors, assisting you in making important decisions about your transfer to the Azure cloud.

5. Business Continuity And Disaster Recovery (BCDR)

 There are several tempting solutions if you aren’t ready to shift totally to the Azure cloud but want to take the first steps. Utilizing the Azure DBaaS model as a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, your existing on-premises hardware is one of the most often used early cloud adoption tactics. When your traffic surpasses the capacity of your onsite hardware, your duplicate cloud database can automatically engage as part of your BCDR strategy.

Conclusion

SQL Server administrators, in my opinion, will no longer have to worry about their database servers filling up. Customers will be able to extend databases into the cloud with the current SQL Server edition and future editions, allowing them to keep data they might otherwise have to delete due to a lack of local storage space. Organizations can use cloud-experienced teams to assess their needs and suggest things they may not have considered to improve performance, lower expenses, and build solutions at a fraction of the cost of doing so in a dedicated environment.

sql-server

Figure 1-04 -:  SQL Server 2022

 

If you’re considering a career in SQL Server Cloud, IPSpecialist is an excellent place to begin. It provides career guidance and support. What precisely is IPSpecialist? IPSpecialist is the solution to all your issues. We offer online courses, study guides, e-books, practice questions, and quick reference sheets, among other things. IPSpecialist is an e-learning platform that offers online training and career counselling to help you enhance your profession. Take a look at our Cloud Computing Courses right now!

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