Azure SQL Database

Azure provides several models for deploying SQL databases, tailored for different needs and workloads. These options fall into two primary categories: Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

🔷 Azure SQL Deployment Models

🔶 Azure SQL Database (PaaS)

A fully managed platform for relational and non-relational databases. Microsoft handles maintenance, backups, and high availability.

• ☑ Single Database

  • A fully managed, isolated database.
  • Best for applications requiring their own database.

• ☑ Elastic Pool

  • A collection of single databases that share resources.
  • Ideal for multiple databases with varying and unpredictable usage.

🔶 Azure SQL Managed Instance (PaaS)

• Combines features of single databases and elastic pools.
• Offers near-complete SQL Server compatibility.
• Native integration with Azure Virtual Network (VNet).
• Suitable for easy migration from on-premises SQL Server.

🔶 SQL Server on Azure VM (IaaS)

• Customer fully manages their own SQL Server installation on a virtual machine.
• Offers full control over SQL Server and OS-level configurations.
• Useful for legacy applications or highly customized environments.

---

💰 SQL Database Purchasing Models

Azure SQL supports two pricing models: vCore-based and DTU-based.

📌 Virtual Core (vCore) Model

Reflects the physical hardware configuration:

• ☑ Broad Configuration Options:

  • Number of cores
  • Amount of memory
  • Amount and speed of storage
  • Hybrid and flexible combinations of SQL server configurations

• ☑ Service Tiers:

  • General Purpose: For typical workloads.
  • Business Critical: Optimized for OLTP applications, frequent transactions, and low I/O latency.
  • Hyperscale: High flexibility and performance. Scalable storage, isolated database replicas, and resilience.

• ☑ Compute Tiers:

  • Provisioned: Pre-allocated computing resources. Billed hourly.
  • Serverless: Auto-scaled resources. Billed per second. Includes auto-pause for cost savings.

📌 DTU-Based Model (Database Transaction Unit)

Fixed price/performance options combining CPU, memory, and I/O:

• ☑ Service Tiers:
  • Basic: For small, lightweight applications.
  • Standard: Suitable for most business workloads.
  • Premium: High-performance for OLTP and mission-critical apps.

🔷 My Azure SQL Server and Databases

I created on Azure: SQL Server and Databases: