Why SQL Azure
Microsoft Azure SQL Database is a cloud-based service from Microsoft offering Relational Database Service as a part of the Azure Services Platform. Unlike similar cloud-based databases, SQL Database allows users to make relational queries against stored data, which can either be structured or semi-structured, or even unstructured documents.[1] SQL Database features querying data, search, data analysis and data synchronization.
I just don’t want to write yet another article on why to consider this but provide quick bullet points on what is unique and the limitations compared to on premise DBs.
Advantages
- Built in high availability
- No Hardware OR software maintenance
- Always on latest and greatest bits
- Scale up and scale down with no down time
- Resource Reservation
- Relational database
- Built in Disaster Recovery with Geo Restore feature
- Handles OOPS scenarios with Point in time restore functionality
Limitations:
- Not all SQL Server features are available, for example cross database transactions, service broker, file stream etc
- Not all important SQL server settings are configurable, for example Max DOP
- Not easy to migrate from on premise to Azure with no down time
- Database size limitation
- Premium SKUs are a little expensive compared to SQL Azure VM
- Frequent disconnects because of upgrades and no control over it