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Azure

 

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines

Host enterprise SQL Server apps in the cloud and save
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Overview

Migrate SQL Server to virtual machines

  • SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines performs up to 22% faster and is up to 23% less expensive than AWS EC2.1
  • SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines is 100% compatible with existing workloads and adds auto-management capabilities.
  • Get high availability/disaster recovery for no extra licensing cost with two secondaries for pay-as-you-go or Azure Hybrid Benefit.
  • Azure Update Manager and Microsoft Defender for SQL  deliver robust security and streamlined management capabilities.
Features

Save money and simplify management of SQL Server

Cost-effective

Lower TCO for running SQL Server in the cloud with Azure Hybrid Benefit and free Extended Security.
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Easy migration

Simple, familiar SQL Server on versatile virtual machines, with tools and programs to help you migrate.
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Better uptime

Robust, simple high availability/disaster recovery (HA/DR) with Always On availability groups.
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Integrated protection

Built-in security and management with simplified configuration and optional automated security updates.
New options for protecting SQL Server 2012 and 2014
SECURITY

Built-in security and compliance

Microsoft has committed to investing $20 billion in cybersecurity over five years.
We employ more than 8,500 security and threat intelligence experts across 77 countries.
Azure has one of the largest compliance certification portfolios in the industry.
Learn more about security on Azure
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PRICING

Save with flexible pricing 

Manage costs across SQL Server editions and virtual machine series on both Linux and Windows. Azure Hybrid Benefit and Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances let you save on database and virtual machine services in the cloud using your existing on-premises licenses and reserved pricing.

SQL Server 2022

The most Azure-enabled release yet, with continued performance, security, and availability innovation.
Learn more

Azure SQL Database

Build limitless, trusted, AI-ready apps on a fully managed SQL database.
Learn more

Azure SQL Managed Instance

Modernize SQL Server applications with a managed, always-up-to-date SQL instance in the cloud.
Learn more
Back to Resources -Quickstarts and tutorials tab section

 

Enhance security with SQL Server 2022

Enable Microsoft Entra authentication for your SQL Server 2022 instances on Azure Virtual Machines.
Learn more about SQL Server
CUSTOMER STORIES

See how customers are innovating with SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines

  1. Rx Health logo
  2. Allscripts logo.
  3. msc logo
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Rx Health logo
"Our engineers and clinicians are creating automation and monitoring magic in healthcare with our platform, and Microsoft Azure is the foundation."
Richard Strobridge, CEO, Rx.Health
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Allscripts logo.
Allscripts moved 600 on-premises virtual machines to Azure and reused on-premises Windows Server and SQL Server licenses in the cloud with Azure Hybrid Benefit to maximize cost savings. 
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msc logo
“With Azure, we can standardize on a single platform to help centralize IT management, security, and compliance. It also gives us continuous operations and disaster recovery.”
Javier Villegas, IT Director for DBA and BI Services, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
Back to CUSTOMER STORIES section
Resources

Get started with resources and documentation

  1.
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Packt e-book

Read the free Packt e-book on maximizing value and performance when you move your SQL Server workloads to Azure Virtual Machines.
Learn more
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Technical documentation

Learn more about the latest features of SQL server on Azure Virtual Machines.
Learn more
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GigaOm Price-Performance Benchmark Report

Discover how SQL Server handles transaction processing and analytic performance.
Get the report
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SQL Server blog

Find the latest developments, resources, and features for SQL Server.
Learn more
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Tech community blog

Stay up to date with our tech community for SQL Server.
Learn more
Back to Resources -Quickstarts and tutorials tab section
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

  • Azure Hybrid Benefit is special pricing designed to help you maximize the value of your current licensing investments while accelerating your migration to the cloud. There’s no application process or waiting period.  
     
    Read the Azure Hybrid Benefit FAQ.
  • Azure offers preconfigured SQL Server virtual machine images. 

    Learn about Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Ubuntu Linux, and Windows Server.
  • Azure Ultra Disk Storage is now generally available.

    Learn more.
  • SQL Server 2012 Extended Support ended on July 12, 2022 and SQL Server 2014 Extended Support will end on July 9, 2024. If you have SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server 2014 but don't have Software Assurance, you can still migrate to Azure and get Extended Security Updates free.

    Learn more.
  • SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines is a fast and straightforward migration infrastructure as a service (IaaS) option, but it requires a more hands-on approach to database administration. You'll continue to purchase, install, and manage your own software, including operating systems and applications. Azure SQL Managed Instance, as a platform as a service (PaaS), eliminates day-to-day administration but may require changes to the application code. Automated features boost performance and data protection, while serverless and hyperscale automatically scale compute and storage.

    • Get started

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    Account signup

    Get started with a free account

    Start with $200 Azure credit.
    Try Azure for free
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    Account signup

    Get started with pay-as-you-go pricing

    There’s no upfront commitment—cancel anytime.
    Create a pay-as-you-go account
    1. [1]
      Price-performance claims are based on a May 2023 study commissioned by Microsoft and conducted by GigaOm. The study compared price performance between workloads on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 in Azure with Premium SSD v2 Managed Disks and Amazon Web Services on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 with General Purpose (gp3) volumes. Benchmark data is from the GigaOm Transactional Field Test, a subset of TPC Benchmark™ E (TPC-E). Please note that the Field Test does not implement the full TPC-E benchmark and is not comparable to any published TPC-E benchmarks. Prices are based on May 2023 US pricing, incorporating three-year reservations for Azure and AWS compute pricing, Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server, and License Mobility for AWS, excluding Software Assurance and support costs. Actual results and prices may vary based on configuration.
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