About SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines

Deploying SQL Server on Azure virtual machines allows you to work on full versions of SQL Server in the cloud without having to maintain on-premises hardware.

The book begins by introducing you to the SQL portfolio in Azure and takes you through SQL Server IaaS scenarios, before explaining the factors that you need to consider while choosing an OS for SQL Server in Azure VMs. As you progress through the book, you'll explore different VM options and deployment choices for IaaS and understand platform availability, migration tools, and best practices in Azure. In later chapters, you'll learn how to configure storage to achieve optimized performance. Finally, you'll get to grips with the concept of Azure Hybrid Benefit and find out how you can use it to maximize the value of your existing on-premises SQL Server.

By the end of this book, you'll be proficient in administering SQL Server on Microsoft Azure and leveraging the tools required for its deployment.

About the Authors

Louis Davidson (Chapter 1, Introduction to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines)

Louis Davidson is a data architect for CBN in Virginia Beach, VA; telecommuting for many years from Cleveland, TN (which is not even as glamourous as it sounds.) Louis has written and contributed to many books on SQL Server topics over the past 20 years. His most prominent work has been five editions of his book entitled: "Pro SQL Server Relational Database Design and Implementation" for Apress in 2016, with a new version forthcoming in 2020. Louis has been a speaker at many SQL Saturday events, and has helped organize events in Nashville and Chattanooga, TN.

Allan Hirt (Chapter 2, Getting started with SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines)

SQLHA, LLC founder, consultant, trainer, author, and business continuity, infrastructure, and virtualization expert Allan Hirt has been working with SQL Server since 1992 when it was still a Sybase product as well as clustering in Windows Server since the late 1990s when it was known as Wolfpack. Currently a dual Microsoft MVP (Data Platform; Cloud and Datacenter Management) as well as a VMware vExpert, Allan works with all sizes of customers no matter if they are on premises or in the public cloud and delivers training and speaks at events over the world.

Joey D'Antoni (Chapter 3, Hero capabilities of SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines)

Joseph D'Antoni is a Principal Consultant at Denny Cherry and Associates Consulting. He is recognized as a VMWare vExpert and a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and has over 20 years of experience working in both Fortune 500 and smaller firms. He has worked extensively on database platforms and cloud technologies and has specific expertise in performance tuning, infrastructure, and disaster recovery.

Anthony Nocentino (Chapter 4, SQL Server on Linux in Azure Virtual Machines)

Anthony Nocentino is the Founder and President of Centino Systems as well as a Pluralsight author and a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Linux Expert, and Corporate Problem Solver. Anthony designs solutions, deploys the technology, and provides expertise on system performance, architecture, and security. Anthony has a Bachelors and Masters in Computer Science with research publications in high performance/low latency data access algorithms and spatial database systems. You can find him on Twitter @nocentino.

Tim Radney (Chapter 5, Performance)

Tim is a Data Platform MVP. He has presented at PASS, SQLintersection, Microsoft Ignite, SQL Saturdays, user groups and numerous webinars. In addition, Tim runs the Columbus GA SQL Users Group, is a PASS Regional Mentor and was named a PASS Outstanding Volunteer. He's married with three children and has a passion for electronics. He also farms chickens, crops, and tilapias in his spare time.

John Martin (Chapter 6, Moving workloads to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines)

John is an experienced data platform professional having spent over a decade working with the Microsoft data and cloud platform technologies. In this time John has learned how to get the most out of these platforms as well as the key pitfalls that should be avoided.

Randolph West (Chapter 7, Hybrid scenarios (Microsoft SQL IaaS))

Randolph West, founder of Born SQL, is an independent IT consultant, speaker, Calgary PASS user group leader, Microsoft Data Platform MVP, and lead author of the book SQL Server 2019 Administration Inside Out. Randolph specializes in SQL Server performance tuning, disaster recovery, and migrations from really old versions, with an emphasis on implementing best practices. Randolph has presented at PASS Summit, SQLBits, SQL Saturdays, and user groups. You can also find Randolph acting and directing on screen or the stage, or annoying people on Twitter. Do not trust Randolph around chocolate.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this book, you will be able to:

• Choose an operating system for SQL Server in Azure VMs
• Use the Azure Management Portal to facilitate the deployment process
• Verify connectivity and network latency in cloud
• Configure storage for optimal performance and connectivity
• Explore various disaster recovery options for SQL Server in Azure
• Optimize SQL Server on Linux
• Discover how to back up databases to a URL

Audience

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines is for you if you are a developer, data enthusiast, or anyone who wants to migrate SQL Server databases to Azure virtual machines. Basic familiarity with SQL Server and managed identities for Azure resources will be a plus.

Approach

This book incorporates every aspect of SQL deployment on Azure with a perfect blend of theory and hands-on coding. Each chapter is designed to build on the learnings of the previous lesson.

Hardware and Software Requirements

For the optimal experience, we recommend the following configuration:

For Windows:

• Processor: Minimum: x64 Processor: 1.4 GHz

  Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster

• Memory: Minimum 2GB RAM
• Storage: 8 GB available space

For Linux:

• Processor: x64 Processor compatible only: 2 GHz 2 cores
• Memory: Minimum 2GB RAM
• Storage: 6 GB available space

Conventions

Code words in the text, database table names, folder names, filenames, file extensions, pathnames, dummy URLs, user input, and Twitter handles are shown as follows:

The following code shows how to generate a list of container images available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (output abbreviated):

curl -sL https://mcr.microsoft.com/v2/mssql/rhel/server/tags/list 
"2019-CU1-rhel-7.6" 
"2019-CU1-rhel-8" 
"2019-GA-rhel-7.0" 
"2019-GA-rhel-7.6" 
"2019-GDR1-rhel-7.0" 
"2019-GDR1-rhel-7.6 
"2019-latest" 
"latest" 
"vNext-CTP2.0"

Note

All the bitly links are listed at the end of each chapter.