Azure SQL Database is Microsoft’s cloud-based relational database service. It provides a fully managed, highly secure, and compliant data storage experience in the cloud with enterprise-grade scalability, availability, and manageability.
Azure SQL Database is built on industry-leading hardware that meets or exceeds your existing on-premises standards for reliability and performance.
Azure SQL Database allows you to enjoy the benefits of building modern applications without sacrificing agility or running into cost limitations when scaling up or down based on demand.
You can also use it to create new business opportunities by providing your customers with rich experiences through their favorite devices like PCs, smartphones, tablets, and more! The best part about Azure SQL Database? It’s easy to set up at no charge!
This blog post will explore how to create an Azure SQL Database from the Azure portal and review some of its features.
Creating an Azure SQL Database: Simple Setup
Creating an Azure SQL Database involves a straightforward process that empowers users to establish a robust and scalable database solution in the Azure environment. Users can define essential attributes such as database name, resource group, server configuration, and pricing tier by following the steps to create an Azure SQL Database. This process ensures the database is tailored to meet specific performance and storage requirements.
Azure offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation to guide users through the setup, enabling them to quickly deploy an efficient and fully managed database that supports their applications with high availability and security.
Creating an Azure SQL Database, whether it’s your first time or a routine task, can be simplified into a few key steps: creating an Azure SQL database, setting up a database in Azure, and expertly configuring your Azure SQL database.
Begin by signing in to the Azure Portal, where you can effortlessly initiate the process. Then, proceed to customize database settings, establish your database within Azure, and optimize the setup according to your needs. By following these steps, you’ll master how to create an Azure SQL database efficiently, making the most of Azure’s cloud infrastructure for your data storage requirements
What is Azure SQL Database?
The SQL database is a cloud service that offers enterprise-level features for an affordable price. Not only does it provide the best of both worlds by providing fast access times and flexible scaling, but also keeps costs low with its usage model: you only pay for what you use – so even if none of us query any data during our test run on this machine today then we’ve still saved ten bucks!
Microsoft Azure SQL Database is a relational database that lets you store and access your data quickly. It’s reliable, secure, and high-performance without worrying about infrastructure. It supports JSON, XML & spatial structures.
It has three deployment options: Single database, Elastic Pool, and Managed Instances.
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Why Use Azure SQL Database?
There are several reasons to use Azure SQL Database instead of the on-premise or even other cloud databases:
- Low cost No need for hardware or software support.
- Easy to scale Up/down by changing a few configuration settings.
- Ease of management.
If you have been using an on-premise database before, then probably this question has been answered already. However, there are still many people who have not tried using an In-memory database, so they might wonder why they should use one.
The reason you might want to use an in-memory database is that it provides much better performance, especially for OLTP applications. Since Azure SQL Database is a fully managed service, you do not have to worry about the infrastructure itself, which alone can save significant amounts of time. So if you are building an application where speed is important (such as betting apps), then using this service could be your best option.
Usage Scenarios
Azure SQL Database is aimed at developers who are looking for a simple way to create applications that just work. It offers several T-SQL language features that make coding easier than ever before.
Azure SQL Database Vs SQL Server
The Azure SQL Database and the original Microsoft SQL Server product are two completely different things. Although they may share some similarities, like compatibility with common programming languages, there is much more to these products than that!
Let’s discuss the difference between Azure SQL Database and SQL server!
| Azure SQL | SQL Server |
| One database can have several databases of different customers on it. | There is only one object on the server, and it’s a database. |
| This uses the Tabular Data Stream (TDS) protocol. | It uses a protocol called TCP/IP. |
| It is easy to use. You don’t need any physical hardware. | Working with a physical system is hard. You get tired. |
| We can’t communicate directly because of the complex architecture. | Direct communication can happen. |
| It has an automatic backup. | You need to plan for backup and manually schedule it. |
Azure SQL Deployment Models
Azure SQL deployment options are different than other options. They give you more control over the underlying platform. The main difference is cost and this determines how to structure your “SQL Server.” You can choose between three options:
- Azure SQL Managed Instance: With this service, you can modernize existing SQL Server applications at scale.
- Azure SQL Database: A relational database that is available as a managed service.
- SQL Server on Azure VMs: allows lifting and shifting workloads to Azure while maintaining full control over the SQL Server instance
Deployment Options for Diverse Needs
Azure SQL Database offers a variety of deployment options to cater to your specific requirements and budget:
- Single Databases: Ideal for smaller applications or development workloads.
- Elastic Pools: Cost-effective solution for managing a group of databases with varying resource needs.
- Managed Instances: Perfect for migrating on-premises SQL Server workloads to the cloud while maintaining control.
Unlock the Power of Cloud Data Management
Azure SQL Database empowers you to store, manage, and access your data with unparalleled ease and efficiency. Whether you’re migrating from on-premises databases or embarking on a new cloud-based venture, it provides the perfect solution for your data management needs.
Hands-on:
In this lab, we will create a SQL database and try to query the data in the database
Let’s create an Azure SQL Database
- Log in to the Azure portal
- Search for SQL database in the all services blade and click it.
- On the SQL database blade please click on +create
- Please fill in the details in the basic tab as mentioned in Table 1
| Fields | Value |
| Subscription | Default subscription |
| Resource group | Create a new resource group else if you have one select that |
| Database name | thinkcloudlyDB01 |
| Server | Click the Create new button (a sidebar will appear on the left side) |
| Server name | thinkcloudlyserverdb01 |
| Server admin login | thinkcloudly |
| Password | Think@1234 |
| Location | (US) wet US |
- Click on the Next: Networking tab and fill detail mentioned in Table 2.
| Fields | Value |
| Network Connectivity | Public endpoint |
| Allow Azure services and resources to access this server | Yes |
| Add the current client IP address | No (As default) |
| Minimal TLS Version | TLS 1.2 (Default) |
Table 2
- Now click on the Next: Security tab and select Not Now for Azure Defender.
- Now click on Next: Additional settings tab and select Sample
- Now please click on Review + Create and wait for validation to get complete then click on Create. This process takes about 2 to 5 minutes.
It’s time to TEST our Azure SQL Database !!
- Ensure your new database is created by searching and selecting Databases and then SQL databases on the All Resources blade. Please refresh the page if you are not able to see the new DB.
- Click on thinkcloudlyDB01 name of the DB you created recently.
- On thinkcloudlyDB01 blade click on Query editor
- Give password Think@1234 for DB that was provided at the time of the creation of the server.
- You will receive an error message that prevents you from logging in. Make note of the IP address listed in the error message and allow it through the firewall. Please click on the blue color link below the error and it will allow IP in the firewall and you will be able to log in.
- Now after logging in to the server, you will see a page below click on Overview:
- Here you can run any SQL query and check the result.
Congratulations!! You created an SQL Database and have tested it successfully.
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Final words:
Azure SQL Database is Microsoft’s cloud-based relational database service. It provides a fully managed, highly secure, and compliant data storage experience in the cloud with enterprise-grade scalability, availability, and manageability.
Azure SQL Database is built on industry-leading hardware that meets or exceeds your existing on-premises standards for reliability and performance.
Azure SQL Databases allows you to enjoy the benefits of building modern applications without sacrificing agility or running into cost limitations when scaling up or down based on demand. To read and learn more about cloud computing check our other blogs.
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