Data Management
The right solution for your data needs, from sql database to blobs to tables
Windows Azure offers multiple data management services to help manage your data in the cloud. The new Windows Azure Virtual Machine is an ideal solution for running your existing SQL Server applications as well as developing and testing a new SQL Server application that can be deployed on Windows Azure or back on-premises with full SQL Server functionality. If you’re looking to develop new relational cloud applications quickly without the maintenance of OS or database patching, the SQL Database service, formerly known as SQL Azure Database, is an ideal solution. It enables organizations to rapidly create, scale and extend applications into the cloud with familiar tools and is built on core SQL Server technology. We also have Tables, which offer NoSQL capabilities at a low cost for applications with simple data access needs. Blobs provide inexpensive storage for data such as video, audio, and images. All are backed with a 99.9% monthly SLA. Click here for detailed guidance to help you choose the right option.
SQL Server in Windows Azure Virtual Machines
For applications that need full SQL Server functionality, Virtual Machines is an ideal solution. You will find SQL Server 2012 and SQL Server 2008 R2 images offered, including standard, web and enterprise editions. If you have an existing SQL Server license with software assurance, as an additional benefit you can move your existing license to Windows Azure and simply pay for compute and storage. Running SQL Server in Virtual Machines is a great solution for the following scenarios:
- Developing and testing new SQL Server applications quickly – you do not need to wait weeks for on-premise provisioning of hardware, just grab a the right SQL Server image from the image gallery and off you go. You can choose to deploy in production or back on-premises with little effort.
- Hosting your existing Tier 2 and Tier 3 SQL Server applications – with many VM sizes to choose from and with full SQL Server compatibility you can easily move your existing on-premises SQL Server applications and gain the efficiencies of cloud computing.
- Backing up and Restoring your On-Premises databases – backup your on-premises database to Windows Azure blob storage and have the ability to restore the database to a Windows Azure Virtual Machine in case of on-premises disaster recovery.
- Extending On-Premises Applications – create hybrid applications that utilize on-premise assets as well as Windows Azure Virtual Machines for greater efficiency and global reach.
- Create Multi-Tiered Cloud Applications – create a multi-tiered application that utilizes the unique scale out capabilities of SQL Database service for the application tier and leverages the full SQL Server compatibility in Windows Azure Virtual Machines for the database tier.
Learn more about SQL Server in Windows Azure Virtual Machines:
SQL Database
For applications that need a full featured relational database-as-a-service, Windows Azure offers SQL Database, formerly known as SQL Azure Database. SQL Database offers a high-level of interoperability, enabling customers to build applications using many of the major development frameworks. Additionally, SQL Database, based on the proven technologies of SQL Server, provides the ability to use existing skills and knowledge to accelerate time to solution as well as build or extend applications across on-premises and cloud. Learn more about business analytics cloud services based on SQL Server.
Use SQL Database to:
Build enterprise apps
SQL Database is an ideal database for a wide variety of business applications including transaction processing, departmental or line of business solutions. Deliver sophisticated cloud-based services with proven reliability and performance. Get massive scale out for your relational databases through sharding with SQL Federation, provide secure and reliable access to data with familiar control mechanisms, and easily deploy your databases with no physical administration required.
Power hybrid applications
SQL Database can be accessed from applications hosted in Windows Azure as well as from applications hosted on-premises. Data can easily be shared across SQL Database and SQL Server databases, as well as across multiple SQL Databases with SQL Data Sync.
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Tables
Tables offer NoSQL capabilities for applications that require storage of large amounts of unstructured data. Tables are an ISO 27001 certified managed service which can auto scale to meet massive volume of up to 100 terabytes and throughput and accessible from virtually anywhere via REST and managed API’s. Learn how to get the most out of Tables here.
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Blob (Binary Large Object) storage
Blobs are the simplest way to store large amounts of unstructured text or binary data such as video, audio and images. Blobs are an ISO 27001 certified managed service can auto-scale to meet massive volume of up to 100 terabytes and throughput and accessible from virtually anywhere via REST and managed API’s.
Use Blobs to:
Easily mount blobs as drives
Windows Azure Drive allows applications to mount a BLOB formatted as a single volume NTFS VM. You can move your VMs between private and public clouds using Windows Azure Drive.
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