Are you (or your customers) considering moving on-premises SQL Server instances and associated apps to Azure? In case you do, questions might start popping up. Look no further: Migrating SQL Server Workloads FAQ - Azure SQL | Microsoft Docs is a go-to FAQ where you can find not only desired answers at one place but also a guidance through references to the rich Azure documentation.
When migrating SQL Server workloads to Azure SQL, it is recommended to assume a holistic view, as it is rarely only SQL Server that is moved to the cloud. The first FAQ section therefore covers question on how to Modernize applications and SQL Server workloads when moving workloads to Azure. There you can find information and further guidance on the logic and value behind Azure SQL services, cost savings when moving to Azure SQL, and alternative options when migrating or modernizing your workloads (you can also find what the terms migrate and modernize mean in this context!). This section also covers common applications and SQL modernization scenarios, such as data center move to the cloud, reducing SQL Server costs, application portfolio optimization, SQL Server end of support and regulatory compliance. Customers are often interested about the best place to start when moving apps and SQL to Azure, and section Getting started, the holistic approach provides guidance on how to jump start your migration project.
Perhaps you already understood well the overall concept and value of Azure SQL and are about to start a business and technical evaluation. This is where most concrete questions come up, especially related to total cost of ownership, licensing and benefits. Azure SQL licensing model is different from the traditional (on-premises) licensing model and customers understandably seek to understand the advantages of moving to cloud licensing. Azure SQL brings many implicit and explicit benefits of moving to the cloud, such as Azure Hybrid Benefit which is also unique to Azure. High-availability and disaster recovery related benefits are also covered here. Also, a whole set of important questions is related to risk-free migration using a hybrid strategy, as Azure SQL services such as SQL Managed Instance provide such capabilities, especially in conjunction with SQL Server 2022.
In parallel to the business-related considerations, the customer is naturally interested to understand and validate how technical and architectural concepts of the on-premises world map to the cloud world, whenever moving SQL Server workloads to Azure. Those questions span different cases, such as moving highly consolidated or highly automated SQL Server workloads to the cloud, running multiple applications connected to the same SQL cluster or running ISV applications. In each of those scenarios, questions related to security, business continuity and performance and scale are integral part of companies' vetting process as they are striving to meet own standards and business requirements. This FAQ section provides appropriate references to the Azure SQL product documentation which covers not only product details, features and capabilities but also appropriate frameworks.
In case you have made a decision to start a proof of concept (POC) or a full migration or modernization process, the final FAQ section covers questions you might have with regard to choosing appropriate guides and tools.
This FAQ will hopefully help you quickly find answers while considering and embarking on migrating your SQL Server workloads.
We wish you a happy and seamless migration!
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