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).Generally Available: Azure SQL Managed Instance Next-gen General Purpose
Overview Next-gen General Purpose is the evolution of General Purpose service tier that brings significantly improved performance and scalability to power up your existing Azure SQL Managed Instance fleet and helps you bring more mission-critical SQL workloads to Azure. We are happy to announce that Next-gen General Purpose is now Generally Available (GA) delivering even more scalability, flexibility, and value for organizations looking to modernize their data platform in a cost-effective way. The new #SQLMINextGen General Purpose tier delivers a built-in performance upgrade available to all customers at no extra cost. If you are an existing SQL MI General Purpose user, you get faster I/O, higher database density, and expanded storage - automatically. Summary Table: Key Improvements Capability Current GP Next-gen GP Improvement Average I/O Latency 5-10 ms 3-4 ms 2x lower Max Data IOPS 30-50k 80k 60% better Max Storage 16 TB 32 TB 2x better Max Databases/Instance 100 500 5x better Max vCores 80 128 40% better But that’s just the beginning. The new configuration sliders for additional IOPS and memory provide enhanced flexibility to tailor performance according to your requirements. Whether you require more resources for your application or seek to optimize resource utilization, you can adjust your instance settings to maximize efficiency and output. This release isn’t just about speed - It’s about giving you improved performance where it matters, and mechanisms to go further when you need them. Customer story - A recent customer case highlights how Hexure reduced processing time by up to 97.2% using Azure SQL Managed Instance on Next-gen General Purpose. What’s new in Next-gen General Purpose (Nov 2025)? 1. Improved baseline performance with the latest storage tech Azure SQL Managed Instance is built on Intel® Xeon® processors, ensuring a strong foundation for enterprise workloads. With the next-generation General Purpose tier, we’ve paired Intel’s proven compute power with advanced storage technology to deliver faster performance, greater scalability, and enhanced flexibility - helping you run more efficiently and adapt to growing business needs. The SQL Managed Instance General Purpose tier is designed with full separation of compute and storage layers. The Classic GP version uses premium page blobs for the storage layer, while the Next-generation GP tier has transitioned to Azure’s latest storage solution, Elastic SAN. Azure Elastic SAN is a cloud-native storage service that offers high performance and excellent scalability, making it a perfect fit for the storage layer of a data-intensive PaaS service like Azure SQL Managed Instance. Simplified Performance Management With ESAN as the storage layer, the performance quotas for the Next-gen General Purpose tier are no longer enforced for each database file. The entire performance quota for the instance is shared across all the database files, making performance management much easier (one fewer thing to worry about). This adjustment brings the General Purpose tier into alignment with the Business Critical service tier experience. 2. Resource flexibility and cost optimization The GA of Next-gen General Purpose comes together with the GA of a transformative memory slider, enabling up to 49 memory configurations per instance. This lets you right-size workloads for both performance and cost. Memory is billed only for the additional amount beyond the default allocation. Users can independently configure vCores, memory, and IOPS for optimal efficiency. To learn more about the new option for configuring additional memory, check the article: Unlocking More Power with Flexible Memory in Azure SQL Managed Instance. 3. Enhanced resource elasticity through decoupled compute and storage scaling operations With Next-gen GP, both storage and IOPS can be resized independently of the compute infrastructure, and these changes now typically finish within five minutes - a process known as an in-place upgrade. There are three distinct types of storage upgrade experiences depending on the kind of storage upgrade performed and whether failover occurs. In-place update: same storage (no data copy), same compute (no failover) Storage re-attach: Same storage (no data copy), changed compute (with failover) Data copy: Changed storage (data copy), changed compute (with failover) The following matrix describes user experience with management operations: Operation Data copying Failover Storage upgrade type IOPS scaling No No In-place Storage scaling* No* No In-place vCores scaling No Yes** Re-attach Memory scaling No Yes** Re-attach Maintenance Window change No Yes** Re-attach Hardware change No Yes** Re-attach Update policy change Yes Yes Data copy * If scale down is >5.5TB, seeding ** In case of update operations that do not require seeding and are not completed in place (examples are scaling vCores, scaling memory, changing hardware or maintenance window), failover duration of databases on the Next-gen General Purpose service tier scales with the number of databases, up to 10 minutes. While the instance becomes available after 2 minutes, some databases might be available after a delay. Failover duration is measured from the moment when the first database goes offline, until the moment when the last database comes online. Furthermore, resizing vCores and memory is now 50% faster following the introduction of the Faster scaling operations release. No matter if you have end-of-month peak periods, or there are ups and downs of usage during the weekdays and the weekend, with fast and reliable management operations, you can run multiple configurations over your instance and respond to peak usage periods in a cost-effective way. 4. Reserved instance (RI) pricing With Azure Reservations, you can commit to using Azure SQL resources for either one or three years, which lets you benefit from substantial discounts on compute costs. When purchasing a reservation, you'll need to choose the Azure region, deployment type, performance tier, and reservation term. Reservations are only available for products that have reached general availability (GA), and with this update, next-generation GP instances now qualify as well. What's even better is that classic and next-gen GP share the same SKU, just with different remote storage types. This means any reservations you've purchased automatically apply to Next-gen GP, whether you're upgrading an existing classic GP instance or creating a new one. What’s Next? The product group has received considerable positive feedback and welcomes continued input. The initial release will not include zonal redundancy; however, efforts are underway to address this limitation. Next-generation General Purpose (GP) represents the future of the service tier, and all existing classic GP instances will be upgraded accordingly. Once upgrade plans are finalized, we will provide timely communication regarding the announcement. Conclusion Now in GA, Next-gen General Purpose sets a new standard for cloud database performance and flexibility. Whether you’re modernizing legacy applications, consolidating workloads, or building for the future, these enhancements put more power, scalability, and control in your hands - without breaking the bank. If you haven’t already, try out the Next-gen General Purpose capabilities for free with Azure SQL Managed Instance free offer. For users operating SQL Managed Instance on the General Purpose tier, it is recommended to consider upgrading existing instances to leverage the advantages of next-gen upgrade – for free. Welcome to #SQLMINextGen. Boosted by default. Tuned by you. Learn more What is Azure SQL Managed Instance Try Azure SQL Managed Instance for free Next-gen General Purpose – official documentation Analyzing the Economic Benefits of Microsoft Azure SQL Managed Instance How 3 customers are driving change with migration to Azure SQL Accelerate SQL Server Migration to Azure with Azure ArcAzure 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!
Introducing the Azure SQL hub: A simpler, guided entry into Azure SQL
Choosing the right Azure SQL service can be challenging. To make this easier, we built the Azure SQL hub, a new home for everything related to Azure SQL in the Azure portal. Whether you’re new to Azure SQL or an experienced user, the hub helps you find the right service quickly and decide, without disrupting your existing workflows. For existing users: Your current workflows remain unchanged. The only visible update is a streamlined navigation pane where you access Azure SQL resources. For new users: Start from the Azure SQL hub home page. Get personalized recommendations by answering a few quick questions or chatting with Azure portal Copilot. Or compare services side by side and explore key resources, all without leaving the portal. This is one way to find it: Searching for "azure sql" in main search box or marketplace is also efficient way to get to Azure SQL hub Answer a few questions to get our recommendation and use Copilot to refine your requirements. Get a detailed side-by-side comparison without leaving the hub. Still deciding? Explore a selection of Azure SQL services for free. This option takes you straight to the resource creation page with a pre-applied free offer. Try the Azure SQL hub today in the Azure portal, and share your feedback in the comments!Unlocking More Power with Flexible Memory in Azure SQL Managed Instance
Service update - Nov 18th 2025 Additional memory in Next-gen General Purpose service tier is now generally available! 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 generally available. 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 Management Experience Changing memory behaves just like changing vCores: Seamless updates via Azure Portal, PowerShell, SDK 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 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, PowerShell, SDK or API to experiment with different configurations. Learn more What is Azure SQL Managed Instance Try Azure SQL Managed Instance for free Next-gen General Purpose – official documentation Analyzing the Economic Benefits of Microsoft Azure SQL Managed Instance How 3 customers are driving change with migration to Azure SQL Accelerate SQL Server Migration to Azure with Azure Arc
