Azure SQL Database for Migrating SQL Server Databases to Azure

Migrate SQL Server Databases to Azure SQL Database

Question

You have 100 servers that run Windows Server 2012 R2 and host Microsoft SQL Server 2014 instances. The instances host databases that have the following characteristics:

-> The largest database is currently 3 TB. None of the databases will ever exceed 4 TB.

-> Stored procedures are implemented by using CLR.

You plan to move all the data from SQL Server to Azure.

You need to recommend an Azure service to host the databases. The solution must meet the following requirements:

-> Whenever possible, minimize management overhead for the migrated databases.

-> Minimize the number of database changes required to facilitate the migration.

-> Ensure that users can authenticate by using their Active Directory credentials.

What should you include in the recommendation?

Answers

Explanations

Click on the arrows to vote for the correct answer

A. B. C. D.

B

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sql-database/sql-database-managed-instance

Based on the requirements listed, the recommended Azure service to host the databases would be Azure SQL Database Managed Instance (option B).

Azure SQL Database Managed Instance is a fully-managed SQL Server instance hosted in Azure that is designed to minimize management overhead for the migrated databases. It provides built-in high availability and backups, automatic patching, and automatic tuning features that minimize the amount of administrative tasks required to manage the databases.

In terms of minimizing the number of database changes required to facilitate the migration, Managed Instance is the closest equivalent to on-premises SQL Server. This means that most of the existing database functionality, including CLR stored procedures, should work without requiring significant modifications.

Furthermore, Managed Instance supports Azure Active Directory authentication, which allows users to authenticate using their Active Directory credentials. This meets the requirement for user authentication.

Azure SQL Database elastic pools (option A) is a good choice for managing and scaling multiple single databases, but it may not be the best option for the migration of the larger databases in this scenario. Azure SQL Database single databases (option C) could be an option, but it may require more database changes than Managed Instance to facilitate the migration. SQL Server 2016 on Azure virtual machines (option D) would require more management overhead than Managed Instance, as it would require managing the underlying virtual machines and infrastructure.

Therefore, based on the requirements listed, Azure SQL Database Managed Instance is the recommended option for hosting the databases.