How and Why To Create an SQL Database on Azure

How do you benefit by creating an SQL database on Microsoft Azure? For one thing, moving databases between machines and cloud environments becomes easy and fast. What’s more, you can manage this without making changes to your apps, and while maintaining your on-premises infrastructure intact. Your app logic also benefits from having a quick access to centralized data storage, especially when your app is expected to run on multiple machines and locations. Set up an SQL Database on Azure and you no longer have to set up machines in geographically dispersed locations. Just store multiple databases as MS Azure Blobs and creates local and virtual databases by executing Transact-SQL scripts. Check out the other benefits of creating an SQL database on MS Azure:

• Limitless storage
• Lowered costs (due to reduced hardware overhead)
• High availability
• Quick, easy and reliable disaster recovery
• Separation of storage from computing brings enhanced security benefits
• Instant backups and restores for databases via the Azure Snapshot feature

Steps To Set Up An SQL Database On Azure Portal

In this tutorial, we’ll be teaching you how to:

• Set up an SQL database on Azure, SQL Database
• Set up a database firewall on the Azure portal.

Perform the following steps:

1. Sign in to the Azure portal with your account details (you can sign up for a free trial account)
2. To create a new SQL database with Azure, click New à (Data + Storage) àSQL Database. As you set up a database, you can also create and set up the server that will host it, or use an existing one. We’ll set up a new one.
3. In the SQL Database settings window, under the Server àConfigure required settings option, configure your database and server details. You can either create a brand new database server if you like. We’ll go with an existing server for the purposes of the tutorial.
4. Now, under Select source à Blank Database option, select Sample. Provide a name for your new database – we’ll go to Azure Database. Revert to the SQL database window, where you’ll see your new database’s name under the Select sample
5. Now open the Azure Startboard and click Browse all to confirm that your new Azure Database is listed online.

Note: Your SQL database creation is not complete until you configure the settings for Collation, Resource group and Pricing tier. Please check the Azure Resource Manager Overview to know more about configuring Azure resource groups. As for Collation, refer to the Unicode Support for more information. You can scale the Pricing tier up and down for your database at any time later.

Steps To Configure Firewall Settings

You’ll need to configure firewall settings in order to connect to your new Azure Database from your client PC. To do so:

1. On the Azure Startboard, select the Browse All options from the left-hand pane
2. Scroll down the options you see on the right-hand pane, and select SQL servers.
3. Select the database server you’re using for your project
4. Under the Database Properties window, select the Settings à Firewall You’ll see your current Client IP address displayed in the Firewall settings pane.
5. Now click the Add Client IP option to create a rule for your client IP address on Azure.
6. Click Save to save your settings.

Now that you’ve configured your SQL database for Azure cloud, you’re ready to run queries and use other SQL tools. If you are unable to connect, check if your client IP has changed. If it’s changed, you can set up a new firewall rule with multiple IP addresses.

About the Author:

Vaishnavi Agrawal loves pursuing excellence through writing and have a passion for technology. She has successfully managed and run personal technology magazines and websites. She currently writes for intellipaat.com, a global training company that provides e-learning and professional certification training.