Are you considering creating an Azure SQL Database but unsure about the best configurations? Look no further! In this article, we will provide you with a detailed overview of the basic configurations for Azure SQL Database.
The Advantages of Azure SQL Database
Before diving into the configurations, let’s first understand the advantages of having your database in the cloud. Just like hiring a car instead of owning one, using the cloud eliminates the need to maintain the underlying infrastructure. With an on-premise database, you are responsible for maintaining the operating system, database server, disaster recovery, and high availability. In contrast, Azure SQL Database takes care of these aspects for you.
Additionally, Azure SQL Database offers scalability options that are not possible with on-premise databases. You can easily upgrade your resources to accommodate adhoc data loads or future scalability needs. This flexibility is crucial for businesses that experience fluctuating resource demands.
Creating an Azure SQL Database
To create an Azure SQL Database, simply log into the Azure portal and select the SQL Database service. Before creating the database, you will be presented with various options and configurations to suit your needs and budget.
First, choose an Azure subscription and create a new resource group. Resource groups allow you to organize and manage your resources effectively. You can separate resources for development, quality assurance, and production, as well as allocate resources on a project basis to maintain budget control.
Next, provide the necessary details for your database, such as the name (less than 128 characters and no special characters) and the server configuration. The server name will be in the format of [servername].database.windows.net, and you need to provide an administrator login for the server.
Configuring the Database
One of the most important configurations for your Azure SQL Database is the database configuration itself. There are two main types of configurations: DTU-based and v-core-based.
DTU stands for Database Transaction Unit, which determines the amount of resources allocated to your database. There are three DTU configurations available: Basic, Standard, and Premium.
Basic DTU
The Basic DTU configuration provides 5 units of fixed DTUs and a maximum of 2 GB of storage for $5 per month. Despite its name, the Basic DTU configuration offers several options. It provides 99.9% availability and retains database backups for 7 days. However, it does not support column store indexing or In-Memory OLTP.
Standard DTU
The Standard DTU configuration allows you to configure the number of DTUs based on your requirements. The DTU configuration ranges from 10 to 3,000, with storage ranging from 100 MB to 1 TB. Each DTU costs $1.5, allowing you to choose the required DTU based on your budget. The Standard DTU configuration offers a backup retention period of 35 days and supports column store indexing (with more than 100 DTUs) but not In-Memory OLTP.
Premium DTU
The Premium DTU configuration offers the most features compared to the other two configurations. It allows you to configure DTUs from 125 to 4,000, with pricing ranging from $3.72 to $4 per DTU. The Premium DTU configuration supports up to 4 TB of data, column store indexes, and In-Memory OLTP. It also provides 25 IOPS per DTU compared to 1-4 IOPS in other configurations. However, it comes at a higher cost.
In addition to these standard configurations, there are two other options available: Read scale-out and database zone redundancy. Read scale-out allows you to scale out your databases, while database zone redundancy enhances availability by spreading replicas across availability zones within one region.
Alternatively, you can configure your Azure SQL Database using v-core options. This configuration requires you to specify the number of v-cores, database size, and log files.
When choosing a configuration, consider the workload you will be working with. It is recommended to start with a lower configuration and scale up as needed. The Azure Portal provides usage monitoring, allowing you to adjust your resource configurations accordingly.
Additional Settings
Aside from the database configuration, there are a few other settings you can configure in Azure SQL Database. You can create an empty database, restore from a database backup, or create a sample database with the AdventureWorksLT schema. If you choose an empty database, you can also select the collation, which determines the language and case sensitiveness of the data. Note that the collation cannot be changed after the database is created.
Furthermore, you can enhance the security of your data with Azure Defender for SQL. This feature provides advanced security and auditing options to protect your database. You can start with a one-month free trial and extend it for $15 per month.
Conclusion
Azure SQL Database offers a convenient and scalable solution for managing your databases in the cloud. By understanding the various configurations and options available, you can choose the most suitable configuration for your workload and budget. Remember to start with a lower configuration and scale up as needed. With Azure SQL Database, you can focus on your applications and data without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.
For more information, you can refer to the following resources: