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Replication between SQL Server and Azure SQL

Migration

Replication of local databases to the cloud offers many benefits, including improved availability: Databases in the cloud keep working even if the local SQL Server fails. Many companies also rely on this function to ensure smooth migration of SQL databases to the cloud, which means local SQL servers can ultimately be retired. Organizations that operate their own SQL servers need to choose the best possible hardware to keep the database servers running efficiently.

With requirements for database servers constantly growing, licenses becoming increasingly expensive, and numerous services requiring data from your servers for their own operations, you have reason enough to outsource databases or entire database servers to the cloud. Replication with Azure SQL can be a simple approach, because as soon as all the data has been transferred, the local database can go offline, and you can work with the Azure-based database from then on. For many reasons, outsourcing local databases to the cloud is sensible. Microsoft provides support with functions that are directly integrated into Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). In this article, I show you the steps you need to take to connect your local SQL Server to Azure and configure the setup.

SQL Server in the Cloud

Although you could start with a conventional SQL database in Azure, Azure offers other options that rely on the replication of local database servers. The setup is basically identical; the only differences are in how the databases are managed in the cloud.

Anyone with an Azure SQL Managed Instance, for example, can integrate a complete Microsoft SQL database from the cloud into their own network without having to worry about the server settings. Microsoft is responsible for maintaining, backing up, and updating the database server. If you opt for a Managed Instance of SQL Server, you do not have to buy, rent, or license

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