Azure Managed SQL vs SQL Server hosted in a VM explained

Azure Managed SQL and SQL Server in a Virtual Machine (VM) are two options for running Microsoft SQL Server in the cloud. Both options enable you to use SQL Server to store and manage data, but they differ in how they are deployed and managed.

Azure Managed SQL is a fully managed service that enables you to create and manage SQL Server databases in the cloud without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure. It provides a range of features to help you scale and optimize your databases, including automatic backups, point-in-time restore, and performance monitoring.

SQL Server in a VM is a less managed option that enables you to install and run SQL Server on a virtual machine in the cloud. You are responsible for configuring and managing the virtual machine, as well as installing and maintaining SQL Server. This option gives you more control over the configuration and management of your SQL Server environment, but requires more expertise and resources to set up and maintain.

Here are some key differences between Azure Managed SQL and SQL Server in a VM:

• Management: Azure Managed SQL is fully managed by Microsoft, while SQL Server in a VM requires you to manage the virtual machine and SQL Server installation.
• Scalability: Azure Managed SQL provides automatic scalability and performance optimization, while SQL Server in a VM requires you to manually scale and optimize the virtual machine and SQL Server installation.
• Pricing: Azure Managed SQL is typically more expensive than SQL Server in a VM, due to the additional management and optimization features provided by the service.

In summary, Azure Managed SQL and SQL Server in a VM are two options for running SQL Server in the cloud. Azure Managed SQL is a fully managed service that provides a range of features to help you scale and optimize your databases, while SQL Server in a VM is a less managed option that gives you more control over the configuration and management of your SQL Server environment.

Why Azure Managed SQL Instance?

There are a number of reasons why you might choose to use Azure Managed SQL Instance, including:

1. Simplified management: Azure Managed SQL Instance is a fully managed service, which means that Microsoft handles the underlying infrastructure and provides a range of features to help you scale and optimize your databases. This can simplify the management of your SQL Server environment, enabling you to focus on developing and deploying your applications.
2. Automatic scalability: Azure Managed SQL Instance provides automatic scalability, which means that it will automatically adjust the resources (such as CPU and memory) allocated to your database based on workload demand. This can help ensure that your database performs optimally and can handle sudden spikes in traffic.
3. Built-in security: Azure Managed SQL Instance provides a range of security features to help protect your data, including encryption at rest and in transit, and threat detection. This can help reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure that your data is protected.
4. High availability: Azure Managed SQL Instance is designed to provide high availability, with automatic failover and recovery capabilities. This can help ensure that your database is always available, even in the event of hardware or network failures.
5. Competitive pricing: Azure Managed SQL Instance offers competitive pricing, with a range of pricing tiers to suit different workloads and budgets.