Introducing Azure SQL Managed Instance Next-gen GP
The next generation of the general purpose service tier for Azure SQL Managed Instance is a major upgrade that will considerably improve the storage performance of your instances while keeping the same price as current general purpose tier. Key improvements in the next generation of general purpose storage include support for 32 TB of storage, support for 500 DBs, lower storage latency, improved storage performance, and the ability to configure the amount of IOPS (I/O operations per second).Azure Data Studio Retirement
We’re announcing the upcoming retirement of Azure Data Studio (ADS) on February 6, 2025, as we focus on delivering a modern, streamlined SQL development experience. ADS will remain supported until February 28, 2026, giving developers ample time to transition. This decision aligns with our commitment to simplifying SQL development by consolidating efforts on Visual Studio Code (VS Code) with the MSSQL extension, a powerful and versatile tool designed for modern developers. Why Retire Azure Data Studio? Azure Data Studio has been an essential tool for SQL developers, but evolving developer needs and the rise of more versatile platforms like VS Code have made it the right time to transition. Here’s why: Focus on innovation VS Code, widely adopted across the developer community, provides a robust platform for delivering advanced features like cutting-edge schema management and improved query execution. Streamlined tools Consolidating SQL development on VS Code eliminates duplication, reduces engineering maintenance overhead, and accelerates feature delivery, ensuring developers have access to the latest innovations. Why Transition to Visual Studio Code? VS Code is the #1 developer tool, trusted by millions worldwide. It is a modern, versatile platform that meets the evolving demands of SQL and application developers. By transitioning, you gain access to cutting-edge tools, seamless workflows, and an expansive ecosystem designed to enhance productivity and innovation. We’re committed to meeting developers where they are, providing a modern SQL development experience within VS Code. Here’s how: Modern development environment VS Code is a lightweight, extensible, and community-supported code editor trusted by millions of developers. It provides: Regular updates. An active extension marketplace. A seamless cross-platform experience for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Comprehensive SQL features With the MSSQL extension in VS Code, you can: Execute queries faster with filtering, sorting, and export options for JSON, Excel, and CSV. Manage schemas visually with Table Designer, Object Explorer, and support for keys, indexes, and constraints. Connect to SQL Server, Azure SQL (all offerings), and SQL database in Fabric using an improved Connection Dialog. Streamline development with scripting, object modifications, and a unified SQL experience. Optimize performance with an enhanced Query Results Pane and execution plans. Integrate with DevOps and CI/CD pipelines using SQL Database Projects. Stay tuned for upcoming features—we’re continuously building new experiences based on feedback from the community. Make sure to follow the MSSQL repository on GitHub to stay updated and contribute to the project! Streamlined workflow VS Code supports cloud-native development, real-time collaboration, and thousands of extensions to enhance your workflows. Transitioning to Visual Studio Code: What You Need to Know We understand that transitioning tools can raise concerns, but moving from Azure Data Studio (ADS) to Visual Studio Code (VS Code) with the MSSQL extension is designed to be straightforward and hassle-free. Here’s why you can feel confident about this transition: No Loss of Functionality If you use ADS to connect to Azure SQL databases, SQL Server, or SQL database in Fabric, you’ll find that the MSSQL extension supports these scenarios seamlessly. Your database projects, queries, and scripts created in ADS are fully compatible with VS Code and can be opened without additional migration steps. Familiar features, enhanced experience VS Code provides advanced tools like improved query execution, modern schema management, and CI/CD integration. Additionally, alternative tools and extensions are available to replace ADS capabilities like SQL Server Agent and Schema Compare. Cross-Platform and extensible Like ADS, VS Code runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring a consistent experience across operating systems. Its extensibility allows you to adapt it to your workflow with thousands of extensions. If you have further questions or need detailed guidance, visit the ADS Retirement page. The page includes step-by-step instructions, recommended alternatives, and additional resources. Continued Support With the Azure Data Studio retirement, we’re committed to supporting you during this transition: Documentation: Find detailed guides, tutorials, and FAQs on the ADS Retirement page. Community Support: Engage with the active Visual Studio Code community for tips and solutions. You can also explore forums like Stack Overflow. GitHub Issues: If you encounter any issues, submit a request or report bugs on the MSSQL extension’s GitHub repository. Microsoft Support: For critical issues, reach out to Microsoft Support directly through your account. Transitioning to VS Code opens the door to a more modern and versatile SQL development experience. We encourage you to explore the new possibilities and start your journey today! Conclusion Azure Data Studio has served the SQL community well,but the Azure Data Studio retirement marks an opportunity to embrace the modern capabilities of Visual Studio Code. Transitioning now ensures you’re equipped with cutting-edge tools and a future-ready platform to enhance your SQL development experience. For a detailed guide on ADS retirement , visit aka.ms/ads-retirement. To get started with the MSSQL extension, check out the official documentation. We’re excited to see what you build with VS Code!Unlocking More Power with Flexible Memory in Azure SQL Managed Instance
As data workloads grow in complexity and scale, so does the need for more adaptable and performant database infrastructure. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a new capability in Azure SQL Managed Instance: Flexible Memory, now entering public preview. What Is Flexible Memory? Flexible Memory allows you to customize the memory-to-vCore ratio in your SQL Managed Instance, giving you the ability to fine-tune performance and cost based on your workload needs. This feature is part of the next-generation General Purpose tier, and it introduces a memory slider that lets you scale memory independently within defined limits. The memory slider is enabled only for premium series hardware. Why It Matters Traditionally, memory allocation in SQL Managed Instance was fixed per vCore. With Flexible Memory, you can now: Increase memory beyond the default allocation Optimize for memory-intensive workloads without overprovisioning compute Pay only for what you use — additional memory is billed per GB/hour This flexibility is especially valuable for scenarios like analytics, caching, or workloads with large buffer pool requirements. How It Works Memory scales based on the number of vCores and the selected hardware tier: Hardware Tier Memory per vCore (GB) Standard-series 5.1 Premium series 7–12 Premium series (memory-optimized) Up to 13.6 You can select from predefined memory ratios (e.g., 7, 8, 10, 12 GB per vCore) depending on your configuration. For example, a 10 vCore instance can be configured with 70 GB to 120 GB of memory. One of the most powerful aspects of the Flexible Memory feature is the ability to select from a range of memory-to-vCore ratios. These “click stops” allow you to tailor memory allocation precisely to your workload’s needs — whether you’re optimizing for performance, cost, or both. The table below outlines the available configurations for Premium Series hardware, showing how memory scales across 16 vCore sizes: vCores Available Ratios Total Memory Options (GB) 4 7, 8, 10, 12 28, 32, 40, 48 6 7, 8, 10, 12 42, 48, 60, 72 8 7, 8, 10, 12 56, 64, 80, 96 10 7, 8, 10, 12 70, 80, 100, 120 12 7, 8, 10, 12 84, 96, 120, 144 16 7, 8, 10, 12 112, 128, 160, 192 20 7, 8, 10, 12 140, 160, 200, 240 24 7, 8, 10, 12 168, 192, 240, 288 32 7, 8, 10, 12 224, 256, 320, 384 40 7, 8, 10, 12 280, 320, 400, 480 48 7, 8, 10 336, 384, 480 56 7, 8 392, 448 64 7 448 80 7 560 96 5.83 560 128 4.38 560 Pricing model Flexible Memory introduces a usage-based pricing model that ensures you only pay for the memory you actually consume beyond the default allocation. This model is designed to give you the flexibility to scale memory without overcommitting on compute resources - and without paying for unused capacity. How it works: Default memory is calculated based on the minimum memory-to-vCore ratio Billable memory is the difference between your configured memory and the default allocation. Billing is per GB/hour, so you’re charged only for the additional memory used over time. Let’s take an example of SQL Managed Instance running on premium series hardware with 4 vCores and 40GB of memory. Configuration Value vCores 4 Configured Memory 40 GB Default Memory (4 × 7 GB) 28 GB Billable Memory 12 GB Billing Unit Per GB/hour Charged For 12 GB of additional memory Important note: Additional memory is provided free of charge until September 1 st. Management Experience Changing memory behaves just like changing vCores: Seamless updates via Azure Portal or API Failover group guidance remains the same Upgrade secondary first Configurations between primary and secondary should match Adjusting the memory is fully online operation, with a short failover at the very end of it. The operation will go through the process of allocating the new compute with specified configuration, which takes approximately 60 minutes, with new faster management operations. API Support Flexible Memory is fully supported via API (the minimal API version that can be used is 2024-08-01) and Azure Portal. Here’s a sample API snippet to configure memory: { "properties": { "memorySizeInGB": 96 } } Portal support Notice: Changes in Azure portal are being rolled out. In the meantime, you can use API for trying out the feature. Summary The new Flexible Memory capability in Azure SQL Managed Instance empowers you to scale memory independently of compute, offering greater control over performance and cost. With customizable memory-to-vCore ratios, a transparent pricing model, and seamless integration into existing management workflows, this feature is ideal for memory-intensive workloads and dynamic scaling scenarios. Whether you're optimizing for analytics, caching, or simply want more headroom without overprovisioning vCores, Flexible Memory gives you the tools to do it - efficiently and affordably. Next Steps Review the Documentation: Explore detailed configuration options, supported tiers, and API usage. Additional memory Management operations overview Management operations duration Test Your Workloads: Use the memory slider in the Azure Portal or API to experiment with different configurations.
