Overview of SQL Azure

The first question usually asked about SQL Azure is: "Is SQL Azure really SQL Server 2008, or is it something else?" The answer is a little of both. Retail editions of SQL Server 2008 include Web, Workgroup, Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter. SQL Azure is another edition of SQL Server 2008, and shares many of the same features as the other editions.

Development on SQL Azure is nearly identical to developing on SQL Server, with most commands and objects either fully or partially supported. However, because SQL Azure is a service, there are significant differences in how SQL Azure and on premises SQL Server are managed. At the time of writing, additional components such as SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) are not supported on SQL Azure, although on premises installations of SSRS and SSAS can consume data from SQL Azure databases. SQL Azure Reporting was announced at PDC '10, and is expected to be available in 2011.

Replication...