How to Deploy and Use SQL Server on Azure

How do I deploy and manage SQL Server on Azure?

SQL Server on Azure is a fully managed relational database service that lets you run SQL Server with automatic patching, scaling, and built-in high availability.

Welcome to the Galaxy, Guardian!

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Description

What is SQL Server on Azure?

SQL Server on Azure is Microsoft’s Platform as a Service (PaaS) offering that hosts SQL Server engines in the cloud, relieving you from hardware management, backups, and OS patching duties.

Why pick SQL Server on Azure over on-prem?

Automatic backups, point-in-time restore, built-in high availability, elastic scaling, and pay-as-you-go pricing remove CapEx and maintenance overhead.

How do I create a SQL Server in Azure?

Use Azure CLI or the Portal. Azure CLI keeps deployments repeatable and scriptable. Create a logical server, then create a database on it.

Azure CLI steps

1. az group create for a resource group.
2. az sql server create to define the server name, admin user, and region.
3. az sql db create to spin up the first database.

How do I connect from psql or any client?

Open the server-level firewall (az sql server firewall-rule create). Then connect with the fully qualified server name (myserver.database.windows.net) and port 1433 using TLS.

What does a typical connection string look like?

Server=tcp:myserver.database.windows.net,1433;Database=shop_db;User ID=galaxy_admin;Password=<Pwd>;Encrypt=true;TrustServerCertificate=false;

How do I run standard T-SQL?

Once connected, you use the same T-SQL syntax you’d run on-premise. The engine version is always the latest stable build.

Example: Query unpaid orders over $500

SELECT c.name, o.id, o.total_amountFROM Customers cJOIN Orders o ON o.customer_id = c.idWHERE o.total_amount > 500 AND o.status = 'UNPAID';

How do I scale up or down?

Change the --service-objective (DTU model) or --compute-model/--tier (vCore model) on the database. The switch happens online within minutes.

How do I automate backups and retention?

Azure keeps seven days of automatic backups by default. Increase --backup-storage-redundancy or configure Long-Term Retention (LTR) up to 10 years.

What are the costs?

You pay compute (DTUs or vCores), storage, and outbound network traffic. Pause development databases at night to save 40-60%.

Best practices for production?

1. Use vCore tier for predictable performance.
2. Enable Zone-Redundant configuration for high availability.
3. Restrict firewall to Azure services and your office IPs.
4. Use Azure AD authentication instead of SQL logins.

Common mistakes and fixes

Firewall forgotten: Connection fails until you add the client IP.
Sizing too small: Slow queries—monitor sys.dm_db_resource_stats and scale proactively.

When should I migrate from on-prem?

Migrate when hardware refresh is due, teams need global access, or you seek built-in DR. Use Data Migration Service for near-zero downtime.

Why How to Deploy and Use SQL Server on Azure is important

How to Deploy and Use SQL Server on Azure Example Usage


-- List top-spending customers in the last 30 days
SELECT c.name, SUM(o.total_amount) AS spend
FROM Customers c
JOIN Orders o ON o.customer_id = c.id
WHERE o.order_date >= DATEADD(day, -30, GETDATE())
GROUP BY c.name
ORDER BY spend DESC;

How to Deploy and Use SQL Server on Azure Syntax


Azure CLI Syntax:
# 1. Create resource group
az group create --name rg-shop --location eastus

# 2. Create logical SQL server
az sql server create \
  --name shop-sql-server \
  --resource-group rg-shop \
  --location eastus \
  --admin-user galaxy_admin \
  --admin-password P@ssword1234

# 3. Allow your public IP
az sql server firewall-rule create \
  --resource-group rg-shop \
  --server shop-sql-server \
  --name AllowMyIP \
  --start-ip-address 203.0.113.4 \
  --end-ip-address 203.0.113.4

# 4. Create an elastic pool (optional)
az sql elastic-pool create \
  --resource-group rg-shop \
  --server shop-sql-server \
  --name shop-pool \
  --edition GeneralPurpose \
  --dtu 200

# 5. Create a database in the pool
az sql db create \
  --resource-group rg-shop \
  --server shop-sql-server \
  --name shop_db \
  --elastic-pool shop-pool

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to whitelist client IPs. Without a firewall rule, all connections fail. Fix: run `az sql server firewall-rule create` or allow Azure services.
Under-provisioning DTUs/vCores. Too low leads to throttling. Fix: monitor CPU and I/O metrics, then scale with `az sql db update --compute-model` or pick a larger service objective.