Welcome to a new world of limitless potential - the world of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offered by Microsoft Azure. Today, we're focusing on one specific Azure offering: the Azure SQL Server Virtual Machine (VM).
The Azure SQL Server VM is an IaaS service that gives users the flexibility to run and manage their own SQL Server instances in Azure. Essentially, you get all the benefits of SQL Server, but with the convenience and scale of Azure.
But what exactly is an Azure SQL Server VM? And why should you consider using it?
An Azure SQL Server VM is a full instance of SQL Server running on an Azure virtual machine. Unlike Azure SQL Database, a Database as a Service (DBaaS), the Azure SQL Server VM allows for more granular control over the database server instance. This means you have total control over the SQL Server instance and can adjust settings as needed to meet the requirements of your application or business.
Flexibility is one of the biggest strengths of Azure SQL Server VM. If your application requires specific SQL Server features that are not available in Azure SQL Database, or if you need to run a specific version of SQL Server, Azure SQL Server VM could be the solution. Plus, if you already have SQL Server licenses, you can take advantage of Microsoft's License Mobility Benefit to reduce the cost of running SQL Server on Azure.
In terms of performance and scale, Azure SQL Server VM stands out. As Azure runs on a broad global network of data centers, you can scale your VM instance as needed to meet traffic demands. Plus, Azure offers a variety of high-performance storage options to optimize the speed and efficiency of your database.
Another key advantage of Azure SQL Server VM is security. With Azure, you get numerous built-in features to secure your VM instances, including network security groups, firewalls, monitoring and diagnostics, among others. Additionally, Azure complies with a broad range of security standards and regulations, which can make it easier for your business to comply with legal and regulatory obligations.
Azure SQL Server VM is not just a solution for running SQL Server in the cloud. It's a solution to make managing SQL Server easier, more flexible, more scalable, and more secure. If you're thinking of taking your SQL Server to the cloud, Azure SQL Server VM deserves serious consideration.