Difference between Azure SQL Server VM and regular Azure VM - sql-server

When we create azure SQL on VM resource it seems that we are getting VM with full control and this resource is displayed both under VM and SQL services, but there has to be some difference between these two.
VM on SQL is intended for running of SQL server, but technically if we are getting VM then we should be able to install whatever we want on that VM? If this is the case, then we could turn this VM to be multi functional and make it to be the same as provisioning regular VM and installing SQL server manually.
If this is not the case and we are not getting full control, then it seems that this shouldn't be categorized as IaaS and shouldn't be marketed that way.
One obvious difference is in deployment models, with SQL on VM we are getting pre-installed SQL server with additional features like automated backups, etc.
Probably there is some difference in pricing models, but other then this I couldn't find any mentions about these two services.

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines provides full versions of SQL Server and simplify licensing costs when you pay as you go.
You are correct, SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines provides additional benefits like Automated updates, Automated backups.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/sql-server-on-azure-vm-iaas-what-is-overview
When using SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines you pay the per-minute licensing rate of SQL Server. The SQL Server license fee is included in the virtual machine image price.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/knowledge-center/how-do-i-license-sql-server-in-azure-virtual/
Microsoft Azure sends invoice with SQL License fee each month.

Related

Multiple SQL instance on Azure

I'm preparing a migration plan to migrate on-premises SQL Server to Azure. On our on-prem there are two sql instance (DevSQL01\Dev and DevSQL01\Demo) running on single VM. Can we create a same scenario on azure, i.e. can we create two SQL instance on a single Auzure SQL VM or is their any other option?
I know i can create a windows VM on Auzre and install SQL Server and create two instance manually, but i like to find out options like managed instance, elastic pool, etc.. has the feature to host named instance by default.
Forgive me if this is noob question, I just started exploring cloud technologies.
On all flavors of Azure SQL PaaS (Managed Instance, DTU-model, vCore, Serverless, Hyperscale) the concept of named instance does not exist. Your best option is a SQL VM where you can run SQL Setup and install multiple instances.
It seems you need it for development purposes, then you may want to install SQL Server Developer Edition to avoid licensing costs as mentioned here. If this will be a Production server, remember to balance memory usage across the two SQL Server instances and leave some memory for the operating system to avoid impact on the server performance.

Is there any challenge in using SQL Setup file from one SQL Azure VM on another Windows VM?

I have a customer who has created only Windows VM from Azure Gallery and wants me to install SQL in it. Is it ok to use SQL Setup file from another Azure VM on this VM?
If yes, then it makes no sense as people can now ask for Windows VM instead of SQL VM which are more expensive and get around it by using SQL setup file from another SQL Azure VM.
Where you get the install bits isn't as important as the licensing model. There are two licensing models for a virtual machine (VM) hosting SQL Server - pay-as-you-go, and bring your own license (BYOL). And now, using either PowerShell or Azure CLI, you can modify which licensing model your SQL Server VM uses.
Full documentation is here.

Which one is Azure SQL Server for production?

As the graph shows above. Which type of sql server edition is for the production? I know the "Developer" version is for the development. Also I already got the Azure VM and have the "Developer SQL Server" on my VM, how can I install the production SQL Server in my VM? Is this free?
My purpose is to make a production SQL Server database. Is there two options for me? One is install a production SQL Server in my VM, another is to create a new Azure SQL database. Which one would be the best way to do this?
As the graph shows above. Which type of sql server edition is for the
Production? I know the "Developer" version is for the development.
Also I already got the Azure VM and have the "Developer SQl server" on
my VM, how can I install the production sql server on my VM? Is this
free?
Developer is not licenced for production - you aren't allowed to use it for production purposes.
Express is licenced for production but if your database gets bigger that 10Gb then it is unsuitable for your use
My purpose is to make a production sql server database. Is there two
options for me? One is install a production sql server on my VM,
another is to create a new Azure SQL database. Which one would be the
best way to do this?
"Best" doesn't mean anything. What are your constraints? Are you creating a brand new database? What tools will be connecting to and using the database? Does it need to be accessible from the internet?
If this is a brand new application / database, and you have limited capability for maintaining a VM then I definitely recommend using SQL Azure instead of a VM
Most importantly, and based on you other question, make sure you understand the term "Production"
Can Azure SQL Server on VM be the production database?
For example, you usually don't provision a 'production' environment without also provisioning at least a dev environment.
It would also help to give us some background on "My purpose is to make a production sql server database". It sounds like this is a request someone has given you but maybe you don't fully understand the term 'production'
None of them are sql azure. They are all sql server on premise on a virtual machine on azure.
If you want to add a sql server azure, you go on your main azure portal page, then on the left panel at the top "create a resource", then chose "SQL Database" on the popular column. Then follow instructions.
If you want as less pain as possible, clearly choose sql azure instead of a sql server on premise on a virtual server on azure. It is by very far the only reasonable choice if you work on azure: cheap, strong, backup automatically done, disaster recovery extremely easily applicable without any prior setup, extremely easy to up size its capacity in case of overload, perfectly secured without any prior setup either.
The only problem of this is the security: it can be accessed only by recognized IP addresses that you mention on the azure portal. So typically, you mention the IP address of you development computer. If your website is on your azure subscription as well, you don't need to worry, it will go through the azure firewall with no setup.
If you reeeeeeally want to use a sql server on premise, well, don't use the developer edition. If you want to avoid performance and load issues, don't use express. The entreprise is very complete, but not useful in most of cases for simple application (like web applications).
If you want most of features, go for the Standard edition, if you want to keep focused on the database engine for your web application, go for the Web edition.
Finaly, if you wanna have a licence free edition on a virtual server, the express is free of charges, but not powerful and extremely limited. The developer edition is free of charges as well and contains every possible and impossible features of sql server. The only pb of this edition is that you are not allowed to use it in production. Only for tests and developments.
As you are already having Azure VM with Developer edition installed you can go for either of the below options.
If you are comfortable to manage the Azure VM yourself, go for IAAS(Infrastructure as a Service) approach: Install SQL Server Standard Edition or SQL Server Enterprise Edition (based on your application needs). Read the capability difference between them. If SQL Server Express edition would be suitable for your needs, then install the same. It does have limited features and many constraints. See the scalability support for different editions in the same link above.
If you want to offload the database server management, go for PAAS(Platform as a Service) approach: Create a Azure SQL database and point your application to it. Azure SQL database is more like SQL Server Enterprise Edition with some limitations like CLR not being supported. Read Azure SQL database differences with SQL Server editions

Windows Azure and SQL Server on VM (which choose to compare)

I'd like to compare Windows Azure SQL Database and SQL Server on VM. So I'd like to ask:
which SQL server edition on Windows Azure(S,M edition; Web or Standard) should I choose to compare it with Windows Azure SQL Database Web. I know that these are different concepts PaaS IaaS and so on. In my question I am referring to your experience with these two technologies and their performance. I know that it would be roughly comparison
I made comparison for Azure SQL and SQL Server Std hosted on Azure VM (Large (A3)) for 2GB database. I just copied DB from Azure to VM, so, basically, I had 2 Databases with identical data and was able to run same queries.
SQL Azure DB has known advantages, but when it goes to performance people starts crying:
Getting last 1000 transactions from ~100k transactions with many joins takes:
Azure SQL: 7:40 mins
SQLServer on VM: 2:30 mins
Getting 10 transactions with specific parameter's:
Azure SQL: 3:57 mins
SQLServer on VM: 1:05 mins
In this test I didn't care about query performance, I just want to see the difference for the same data/queries between Azure SQL and SQL Server on Azure VM. As you see, it's very differ.
Roughly, Windows Azure SQL Database is comparable to the features of SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition, but this comparison is only approximate, because each offer is meant for a different use case and offers a different balance of features.
In Understanding Azure SQL Database and SQL Server in Azure VMs you'll find a detailed comparison. Some distinctive characteristics are:
SQL Database is highly available; each database is backed by 3 servers; each operation will only be completed when it is accepted by at least 2 servers. This leads to a higher latency than SQL Server on a single server.
SQL Database runs on cloud infrastructure. Client applications must be fault-tolerant.
SQL Database runs on shared resources, so clients may experience performance fluctuations. The Premium Offer for Windows Azure SQL Database delivers more powerful and predictable performance.
SQL Database has a few limitations on support for features, Transact-SQL, Data Types and Tools and Utilities.
See also how to Compare SQL Server with Windows Azure SQL Database and the guidance on SQL Server in Windows Azure Virtual Machines.
Regarding Windows Azure SQL Database Web edition: Web and Business editions are identical except for storage capacity (see my detailed SO answer about this, here), so it doesn't matter for your comparison.
Regarding SQL Server editions, I think this is going to be primarily a difference in features and licensing, not performance. That said: If you choose the Enterprise edition, you may find more features are active, therefore consuming more resources. Fortunately the Web, Standard, and Enterprise editions are all in the Virtual Machine gallery, so you can deploy any of them without having to do a custom install.
When comparing Windows Azure SQL Database with SQL Server, you should probably start with this MSDN article which goes into detail about the limitations of SQL Database as well as T-SQL differences.

Running a dedicated SQL Server VM in windows Azure

I've read that you can pay a per hour fee to license SQL Server on a Windows Azure VM, if you want to run a dedicated instance (as opposed to using Azure SQL). However, when I go to create a VM running SQL Server, only the evaluation edition is available in the image gallery. I don't see any options in the VM creation process to add the additional per hour license for SQL Server. Where does this come in to play?
This is a result of Virtual Machines on Windows Azure being still in preview.
As far as I know - whilst in preview only the evaluation copy of SQL is formally available and at no extra charge. I suspect this will change when IaaS goes GA.
You can read about it here

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