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Microsoft SQL Azure – Microsoft SQL databases takes to the clouds

A new brand for Microsoft SQL technologies has just hit the market in January 1, 2010. Or maybe it would be better to say that the technology Microsoft renamed simply the market. Azure Services is not the most significant Microsoft the cloud. It functions as a complete platform in the cloud with computing, storage and tissue-bound individual systems in an integrated network that can balance the processing load or share resources.

What is SQL Azure?

The party that is most relevant for this study is how Azure relates to SQL. Microsoft used to call the service SQL Server Data Services and SQL Services until recently, it changes the end of SQL Azure. The name change is just another step in the same direction as SQL Server has already been run with cloud computing.

SQL Azure provides a data storage "in the cloud", like Amazon S3 and a lot of Google Apps. A big advantage for SQL Azure is that the relational query can be made about the data stored in the cloud, regardless of whether they are structured, semi-structured or unstructured. In addition to make data queries, users can also search, analyze, and synchronize with data stored in SQL Azure.

A Once your information is uploaded to SQL Azure, applications can make direct requests to the data in the cloud through the Internet. This works for local applications or cloud (such as applications running in the computer services of Microsoft Azure). Provisionment and Sync must be transparent between the local SQL server and SQL database Azure. Microsoft also guarantees high fault tolerance by keeping multiple copies available data.

Why use SQL Azure?

Microsoft claims that the major advantage is SQL Azure provides less maintenance. The service eliminates your need to store and manage SQL databases locally. In theory, administrators should not have to install software databases or to worry about installing, patching and management of their server systems. Nor are there material needs with the servers, disaster recovery or high availability. The physical maintenance and administration is not necessary, so that companies can feasibly save on costs and staffing. If the headaches of server management database is getting to you, it can be a good option.

Another benefit is easy scalability. If you need to increase or decrease your database storage, Microsoft takes care of that too. This is one of the differences between SQL Azure and other hosting services: data storage is distributed among several knots and you simply pay as you go for the storage used. SQL Azure can function as a complement to the existing database hardware. If you expect a sudden increase in data requirements or even want to be ready in case an unexpected, Azure may be available for heavy weather, but you can return to a local storage or other when the need is there.

Another advantage is that it provides the scalability achievable but cost-effective service for the database needs of businesses small and medium enterprises.

Microsoft also provides services to enable Azure ISVs that want to offer their software as a service (SaaS). The Azure Services can provide for all computing needs this model requires, but of course, SQL Azure would meet the needs of databases for this software. Feasible, it could even simplify security data, since Microsoft is responsible for the store. Applications Line of Business (LOB), built on Azure departments can use the same SQL Azure way.

As with any type of cloud, a final advantage is that information is available for all applications or requests as long they are connected to the Internet. But one of the benefits of travel related SQL databases to the cloud is that it consolidates data (Such as databases in several departments of a large company) and includes better information. This should allow more complex queries that span multiple database tables.

Putting all together, the advantage is simple: an economy of scale: the cost Microsoft SQL leave should be easily within the total cost of hardware, software and maintenance (TCO).

It is in the details

Now the real fun. As for changes in programming model, most things remain the same, although some details are different. The main difference is that the data has replaced a fully relational programming model based entities and ACE. To access data, T-SQL is still the code, if developers will need to make some changes to interact with the service fully relational database. Most data access frameworks such as ADO.NET Data Services can still be used with minimal changes. Data transfer is via a format based on XML, the query language is Transact-SQL, and Tabular Data Stream protocol is Internet access.

How different from SQL Azure SQL Server? Azure runs on top of SQL Server. SQL Azure but also adds new features relational data in the cloud. The biggest difference is as shown above ease of use, simplicity and availability everywhere. The CTP is available free from Microsoft website, but get there quickly. Some things will not be available for free at the end of January. Microsoft has made significant changes to the software in recent months, and there are large differences versions in production.

And what about prices? Microsoft offers 1 GB of space for the relational database $ 9.99/month up 10 GB for $ 99.99/month, and the cost of data transfer within 10 cents and 15 cents per BG. There are also some options: you can pay as you'll no monthly commitment and costs, or you can get better prices by committing to 6 months with a base rate.

No surprise them Azure new services are no doubt Microsoft's commitment to the future of cloud computing. SQL Azure is a big part of this innovation and offers great support for Web 2.0 applications. The biggest advantage is probably for small and medium-sized or independent software writers who need cost-effective storage and calculation. If intuition Microsoft's computer future is right (and probably) to enter the market is a good first strategy. It will remain to be seen whether SQL Azure manages to remain the best technology for cloud SQL database available.

About the Author

Rob Collins is the editor of for several resource centers, including
SQLServers.net
, a SQL Database Technology Portal and Resource Center. Visit SQLServers.net for more great
SQL tips
and information.

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