Azure SQL – Database services to Simplify Application Development, Provide Performance Insights Via Embedded Intelligence and Manage Security Threats

Over the last decade, the emergence of cloud computing has redefined the limits of computers’ capabilities. It’s now possible to do everything from storing personal files to entire databases over the cloud. Cloud computing is truly revolutionary in its approach to expand the potential of independent computers. Cloud computing is an excellent solution for enterprises of all sizes because of its scalability. It eliminates the need to invest in expensive hardware and its maintenance. This allows it to be economical at many scales.

Azure SQL by Microsoft is a cloud-computing solution that offers a database as a service (DaaS). This platform allows you to host relational SQL databases and doesn’t require investment in expensive hardware. The cost-efficiency of this model is what makes it disruptive and offers promising results at the lowest costs possible. The Azure family of services provides a complete database management suite that is scalable to any size of operation.

Here’s a look at the services Microsoft offers as part of its Azure suite and why you should be looking to integrate it into your workload:

Optimize performance and durability with Azure SQL Database

Azure SQL has proven to be one of the most intelligent database management platforms. Optimizing database performance is a primary function of developers building apps. Azure was built with developer’s needs in mind and has powerful and intelligent performance optimization features. 

This simplifies your workflow, allowing you to be more efficient even in times of strain. The dynamic resource scalability feature enables you to dedicate resources to the databases that can be scaled up or down as per demand. With just a few lines of code, you can turn on in-memory technologies to help you get up the ante and maximize performance easily.

Azure SQL Managed Instance

Azure SQL Managed Instance is yet another powerful feature equipped with Azure SQL. This was designed for clients with a large store of on-site data that needed to be migrated to the cloud. Azure SQL Managed Instance lets you migrate with minimum effort and hassle. It is 100% compatible with on-site premises. It is a full-fledged SQL instance built on the same PaaS infrastructure providing complete isolation and security. 

SQL Managed Instance brings together the best of Azure SQL and the SQL Server database engine. It boasts 99.99% uptime SLA, a robust automated backup mechanism and the ability to restore to a point in time. The isolated environment features leading enterprise-grade security features such as VNet integration, single-tenant service and transparent data encryption.

Azure Database for PostgreSQL

Azure Database for PostgreSQL helps developers focus on app development rather than database maintenance and upkeep. Azure integrates with features like JSONB, rich indexing, among many others. Best-in-class security and compliance protocols ensure that your database is as protected as it can be. 

With Azure Database for PostgreSQL, you can access metrics that help you visualize the performance of PostgreSQL and relate it with your apps’ performance. One of the most important advantages of this offering is that you can use any language in which you’re comfortable. It is also very cost-efficient since you don’t end up paying for more than what you use. 

Take your database to the next level using some of the open-source extensions and tools supported by Azure like PostGIS and PLV8.

SQL Server on Virtual Machines 

You can plug in your SQL code into Azure and continue working there with 100% code compatibility. This gives you the best of both worlds with the flexibility of SQL and the scalability of Azure. You don’t need to make any changes to your SQL code and feed it right into Azure. This compatibility makes it very simple to adopt Azure and leverage its power to build robust apps.

Azure has the best TCO in its class and can help you save up to 84% compared to Amazon Web Services. With the ability to pick from images with Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Server or Ubuntu Linux, your workload can leverage the best performing SQL Server Virtual Machines.

Azure Database for MySQL 

Azure Database for MySQL, a part of the Azure family, makes a strong case for Azure’s scalability solutions. The familiarity of using MySQL paired with the simplicity of Azure makes it perfect for applications that require scaling up or down efficiently.

Azure was built keeping security and compliance requirements in mind:

• Configure a virtual network for data isolation
• Encryption of data at rest and motion
• Compliance with ISO, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and FedRamp

The AI-powered performance optimization feature constantly monitors the database and prompts optimization recommendations, so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself. Azure is the only cloud-computing service to offer both single-zone and zone redundant high availability. 

Single zone high availability on Azure delivers an SLA of 99.99%. Built-in artificial intelligence database monitoring features help you optimize performance and improve query speed substantially. It supports up to 16 TB of storage and 20,000 I/O operations per second, making large operations possible.

Conclusion 

Azure by Microsoft is a good example of a DaaS model that caters to many developers building solutions using MySQL and PostgreSQL. Most developers shy away from switching to cloud platforms because of how tedious it would be to switch from platforms they’re well versed with to one with which they’re unfamiliar.

This was kept in mind when Azure was built from the ground up. With 100% compatibility with most SQL platforms, migrate to Azure in a matter of minutes. The ease of use makes choosing Azure a no-brainer, allowing anyone to adopt it without much of a learning curve. It includes everything one expects from a full-featured relational database management service.