Many organizations are adopting cloud computing as their primary computing environment, and others find ways to use Microsoft Azure to enhance their current offerings and create solutions that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. As Microsoft continues to invest heavily in its Azure platform, many database administrators and developers are beginning to understand one of the fundamental values of cloud computing: Flexibility. To gain the necessary flexibility, Microsoft made specific infrastructure and architecture decisions that may be surprising at first, leading some database administrators and developers to question the readiness of the Azure SQL Database platform. When we look closer and understand the benefits of those tradeoffs, however, Azure SQL Database becomes an exciting offering. Understanding the primary differences between SQL Server and SQL Database is the first step to building cloud computing applications that can scale, and leverage the flexibility of cloud computing.

This whitepaper introduces the Microsoft Azure SQL Database. It offers an overview of this Microsoft cloud database, and related services, including Data Sync and Reporting. The purpose of this white paper is to explain how the SQL Database platform works, to analyze some of its strengths, and to provide an overview of the Azure services that leverage the SQL Database platform. It also discusses some of the prevalent use cases for leveraging SQL Databases. In addition to gaining a better understanding of the technology, also better understand how individual companies can leverage SQL Database for their business.

Presenter: Herve Roggero

Herve Roggero is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for Azure SQL Database. He is the founder of Blue Syntax Consulting, a company specialized in cloud computing products, and services. His experience includes software development, architecture, database administration, and senior management with both global corporations, and startup companies. He holds multiple certifications, including a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD). He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University. He is the co-author of the book “PRO SQL Database for Windows Azure” from Apress.

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Topics: Database Monitoring, Database Diagnostics, Cloud Databases
Products: SQL Diagnostic Manager for SQL Server