What is Azure SQL Database?

Azure SQL Database is a **fully managed relational database service** by Microsoft. It is based on SQL Server and provides high availability, security, and scalability.

Why Use Azure SQL Database?

• Fully Managed: No need to manage hardware, patching, or backups.
• High Availability: Built-in disaster recovery with **99.99% uptime**.
• Automatic Scaling: Adapts to changing workloads.
• Advanced Security: Encryption, authentication, and firewall rules.
• Serverless Option: Pay only for what you use.

Creating an Azure SQL Database

Step 1: Create a SQL Server

az sql server create --name my-sql-server --resource-group MyResourceGroup --location eastus --admin-user myadmin --admin-password MySecureP@ssword

Step 2: Create a Database

az sql db create --resource-group MyResourceGroup --server my-sql-server --name mydatabase --service-objective S0

Step 3: Configure Firewall Rules

az sql server firewall-rule create --resource-group MyResourceGroup --server my-sql-server --name AllowYourIP --start-ip-address 0.0.0.0 --end-ip-address 255.255.255.255

Connecting to Azure SQL Database

Using Azure Data Studio

1️⃣ Open **Azure Data Studio**

2️⃣ Click **New Connection** and enter:

• Server: my-sql-server.database.windows.net
• Database: mydatabase
• Username: myadmin
• Password: MySecureP@ssword

3️⃣ Click **Connect**

Using Python (SQLAlchemy)

from sqlalchemy import create_engine

server = 'my-sql-server.database.windows.net'
database = 'mydatabase'
username = 'myadmin'
password = 'MySecureP@ssword'

engine = create_engine(f'mssql+pyodbc://{username}:{password}@{server}/{database}?driver=ODBC+Driver+17+for+SQL+Server')
conn = engine.connect()
print("Connected successfully!")

Scaling Azure SQL Database

Change Performance Tier

az sql db update --resource-group MyResourceGroup --server my-sql-server --name mydatabase --service-objective P1

Backup and Restore

Perform a Manual Backup

az sql db export --resource-group MyResourceGroup --server my-sql-server --name mydatabase --storage-key MyStorageKey --storage-uri https://mystorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/backups/mydatabase.bacpac

Restore from Backup

az sql db import --resource-group MyResourceGroup --server my-sql-server --name restored-db --storage-key MyStorageKey --storage-uri https://mystorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/backups/mydatabase.bacpac

Monitoring Performance

az monitor metrics list --resource /subscriptions/MY_SUBSCRIPTION_ID/resourceGroups/MyResourceGroup/providers/Microsoft.Sql/servers/my-sql-server/databases/mydatabase --metric "dtu_consumption_percent"

Conclusion

Azure SQL Database is a powerful **cloud-based relational database** with **automatic scaling, built-in security, and high availability**.

📌 Next Topic: Azure Cosmos DB - Globally Distributed NoSQL Database