https://www.sqldbachamps.

com Praveen Madupu +91 98661 30093

Sr SQL Server DBA, Dubai
praveensqldba12@gmail.com

Azure SQL Administration involves managing and maintaining Azure SQL Database, a fully managed
platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering by Microsoft.

Azure SQL includes Azure SQL Database, SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure VMs, each
designed to handle different database management requirements.

Azure SQL administrators are responsible for tasks like deployment, monitoring, performance tuning, security,
backups, scaling, and cost management.

Here's a detailed breakdown of Azure SQL administration:

1. Azure SQL Services Overview

Azure SQL offers multiple options depending on your use case:

a. Azure SQL Database

● Fully managed SQL database service with built-in high availability, backups, and scaling.
● Suitable for new cloud-native applications and workloads that require a PaaS model.
● Deployment models:
○ Single Database: Dedicated compute and storage for each database.

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○ Elastic Pools: Shared resources across multiple databases to optimize costs for variable
workloads.
○ Serverless: Automatically scales compute based on demand and pauses during inactivity,
reducing costs.

b. Azure SQL Managed Instance

● Managed instance providing nearly 100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server.
● Suitable for migrating existing SQL Server workloads with minimal changes.
● Supports advanced features like SQL Server Agent, linked servers, and cross-database queries.

c. SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines

● Provides complete control over the SQL Server instance, allowing administrators to manage the OS,
patches, backups, and disaster recovery.
● Ideal for highly customized environments where PaaS limitations are not acceptable.
https://www.sqldbachamps.com Praveen Madupu +91 98661 30093
Sr SQL Server DBA, Dubai
praveensqldba12@gmail.com

2. Deployment and Configuration

Correct configuration of Azure SQL services ensures optimal performance, availability, and cost efficiency.

a. Deployment Options

1. Single Database vs. Elastic Pools:

○ Choose Single Database if each database requires dedicated resources.
○ Use Elastic Pools for multiple databases with varying and unpredictable resource needs, sharing
compute resources between them.
2. Service Tiers:
○ General Purpose: Standard workloads with balanced performance and cost, using standard SSD
storage.
○ Business Critical: High-performance workloads requiring low-latency and high-throughput, using
local SSD storage and high availability with three replicas.
○ Hyperscale: Ideal for databases that need to scale beyond 100TB with instant backups and fast
read replicas.
3. Compute Options:
○ Provisioned Compute: Fixed compute size, suitable for predictable workloads.
○ Serverless Compute: Automatically scales compute based on workload demand and pauses
when inactive to save costs.

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4. Storage Configuration:
○ Configure disk types (Standard SSD, Premium SSD, etc.) based on IOPS and throughput
requirements.
○ Scale storage separately from compute in the Hyperscale tier.

b. Data Migration

1. Azure Database Migration Service (DMS):

○ Migrate databases from on-premises SQL Server or other cloud providers with minimal downtime.
○ Supports online migrations, where the source database remains operational during migration.
2. BACPAC Files:
○ Use BACPAC files to export and import database schema and data between environments.
3. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):
○ SSMS can be used to perform backup and restore operations, as well as connect to Azure SQL
databases.
https://www.sqldbachamps.com Praveen Madupu +91 98661 30093
Sr SQL Server DBA, Dubai
praveensqldba12@gmail.com

3. Monitoring and Maintenance

Azure SQL offers several tools for monitoring and maintaining database health, performance, and availability.

a. Monitoring Tools

1. Azure Monitor:
○ Provides a centralized platform for monitoring Azure SQL databases.
○ Collects key metrics such as CPU usage, DTUs (Database Transaction Units), IOPs, and query
performance.
2. SQL Insights:
○ Advanced performance monitoring tool for SQL databases, offering deeper insights into query
execution, wait statistics, and database-level metrics.
3. Azure Metrics Explorer:
○ Allows visualization of performance data and setting up alerts for critical metrics such as CPU
spikes, memory usage, and IO throughput.
4. Query Store:
○ Tracks query performance over time and stores execution plans, making it easier to identify
performance regressions and tuning opportunities.
○ Available in both Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance.

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b. Automated Maintenance

1. Automated Patching:
○ Azure SQL databases are automatically patched with critical updates, ensuring that databases
remain secure.
○ Managed Instance allows you to set maintenance windows for greater control over patching.
2. Index Maintenance:
○ Use Azure SQL Database Advisor to receive recommendations for index creation and removal to
optimize query performance.
○ Automatic tuning can apply these recommendations for you, including automatic index
management.
3. Version Management:
○ Azure SQL automatically keeps the database engine up to date, but Managed Instance gives you
control over the compatibility level to support legacy applications.
https://www.sqldbachamps.com Praveen Madupu +91 98661 30093
Sr SQL Server DBA, Dubai
praveensqldba12@gmail.com

4. Performance Tuning
Optimizing performance is key to ensuring that Azure SQL databases handle workloads efficiently.

a. Query Performance Optimization

1. Query Performance Insights:

○ Provides visualizations and detailed performance data about long-running queries and resource
bottlenecks.
○ Identify expensive queries that consume excessive CPU, IO, or memory.
2. Query Store:
○ Capture query performance statistics and execution plans over time, making it easier to identify
suboptimal queries.
○ Use Query Plan Forcing to enforce the use of optimal execution plans when needed.

b. Index Tuning

1. Automatic Indexing:
○ Azure SQL Database can automatically create and drop indexes based on query patterns and
performance statistics.
○ Manual indexing can also be performed via SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or T-SQL.

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2. Index Fragmentation:
○ Regularly monitor and rebuild fragmented indexes to improve query performance.
○ Azure SQL Advisor provides recommendations for index defragmentation.

c. Caching

1. In-Memory OLTP:
○ Azure SQL supports In-Memory OLTP, a feature that allows performance improvements for
transactional workloads by storing frequently accessed data in memory.
2. SQL Caching:
○ Leverage Azure Cache for Redis to cache frequently queried data, reducing database load.

d. Scaling

1. Vertical Scaling:
○ Increase or decrease the vCores and storage limits based on the workload. This can be done with
minimal downtime in Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance.
2. Horizontal Scaling:
○ In the Hyperscale tier, storage can grow dynamically, and read replicas can be added for better
read scalability.
○ Elastic pools provide a way to scale horizontally by sharing compute resources across multiple
databases.
https://www.sqldbachamps.com Praveen Madupu +91 98661 30093
Sr SQL Server DBA, Dubai
praveensqldba12@gmail.com

5. Security
Azure SQL databases come with comprehensive built-in security features to ensure data protection and
compliance with industry regulations.

a. Authentication and Authorization

1. Azure Active Directory (AAD) Integration:

○ Use Azure Active Directory for centralized authentication and role-based access control.
○ Avoid password management by enforcing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and conditional
access policies.
2. SQL Authentication:
○ Traditional SQL Server authentication is also available, where logins and passwords are
managed within the database.

b. Data Encryption

1. Transparent Data Encryption (TDE):

○ Azure SQL enables TDE by default to protect data at rest, encrypting both the database and
backups.
○ Encryption keys are stored in Azure Key Vault for centralized key management.

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2. Always Encrypted:
○ Protect sensitive data (e.g., credit card numbers) by enabling Always Encrypted, which ensures
that the encryption keys are only accessible by the application and not by the database engine
itself.
3. Encryption in Transit:
○ All connections to Azure SQL are secured using SSL/TLS, ensuring that data is encrypted in
transit between applications and the database.

c. Threat Detection and Auditing

1. Advanced Data Security (ADS):

○ ADS includes features like Data Discovery & Classification, Vulnerability Assessments, and
Advanced Threat Protection to detect and alert on suspicious activities like SQL injection attacks
or brute-force login attempts.
2. SQL Auditing:
○ Enable SQL Auditing to track and log database activity, including login attempts, data changes,
and schema modifications, for security and compliance purposes.
○ Logs can be sent to Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, or an external SIEM (Security Information and
Event Management) solution.
https://www.sqldbachamps.com Praveen Madupu +91 98661 30093
Sr SQL Server DBA, Dubai
praveensqldba12@gmail.com

6. Backup and Recovery

Azure SQL provides robust, automated backup and recovery capabilities to ensure data protection and quick
recovery from disasters.

a. Automated Backups

1. Point-in-Time Restore:
○ Azure SQL automatically performs full backups weekly, differential backups every 12 hours, and
transaction log backups every 5-10 minutes.
○ Databases can be restored to any point within the configured retention period (up to 35 days for
standard backups, up to 10 years for long-term retention).
2. Long-Term Backup Retention (LTR):
○ Configure long-term backup retention policies for compliance, ensuring backups are stored for
up to 10 years.

b. Geo-Redundant Backups

● Enable geo-redundant backups to ensure that backups are replicated to a secondary region for disaster
recovery.
● Supports geo-restore, allowing you to restore your database in another Azure region in case of a regional

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outage.

c. Active Geo-Replication

1. Failover Groups:
○ Create failover groups with automatic or manual failover capabilities for high-availability
configurations across multiple regions.
○ Replicate databases asynchronously to one or more readable secondary databases for business
continuity.
2. Active Geo-Replication:
○ Provides readable replicas in different regions, ensuring low-latency read access and disaster
recovery capabilities.
https://www.sqldbachamps.com Praveen Madupu +91 98661 30093
Sr SQL Server DBA, Dubai
praveensqldba12@gmail.com

7. Cost Management and Optimization

a. Pricing Models

1. DTU vs. vCore:

○ Azure SQL Database supports DTU-based (Database Transaction Unit) and vCore-based pricing
models.
○ Use DTU for simpler performance management or vCore for more flexibility in scaling compute
and storage independently.
2. Serverless Compute:
○ For workloads with intermittent or unpredictable usage, choose serverless compute to
automatically scale resources and pause during inactivity to save costs.

b. Reserved Capacity

● Purchase Reserved Instances for 1 or 3 years to save up to 55% on costs.

c. Azure Cost Management Tools

1. Azure Cost Management + Billing:

○ Use Azure Cost Management to analyze usage, set budgets, and monitor spending.

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2. Azure Advisor:
○ Get cost optimization recommendations from Azure Advisor, such as eliminating unused
resources, rightsizing databases, and purchasing reserved capacity.

Summary:
Azure SQL administration requires a blend of technical expertise in SQL Server management and cloud
operations.

By leveraging Azure’s built-in automation, monitoring, and security features, Azure SQL administrators can
efficiently manage databases with minimal overhead while ensuring high availability, security, and performance.

Understanding and using Azure SQL’s scaling, disaster recovery, and cost management options is crucial to
effectively optimizing database resources in the cloud.