Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance

RSKenzz 66 Reputation points
2024-04-22T11:43:44.28+00:00

Just been reading up and comparing between Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance and aside from the cost aspect, I don't really see any benefits to using Azure SQL Database to Managed Instance, some constraints faced my me are below:

  • cannot take an individual database offline on Azure SQL Database.
  • cannot backup/restore using .bak file type support. .bacpac file exports and imports are extremely time consuming to move DBs, especially large ones.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Azure SQL Database
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  1. Alberto Morillo 34,056 Reputation points MVP
    2024-04-22T13:33:41.5+00:00

    I agree with you about restoring backups on Azure Managed Instance being a lot faster and more predictable with Azure SQL Managed Instance. But for organizations money is king and Azure SQL Database, especially DTU-model, will allow you to save 2,000 to 3,000 dollars monthly. One thing people often overlook is that you don't pay license fees with Azure SQL Database DTU-Model.

    On Azure SQL and Managed Instance the available memory for your databases is linked to the number of vcores available, the more vcores the more RAM available. Have you considered how much money will cost to scale up the tier of a Managed Instance compared to Azure SQL.

    When organizations realize the savings of Azure SQL they stick with it, they find workarounds for Azure SQL limitations, and when they are reaching the storage limits, they go for Sharding their databases.

    Here you will find Microsoft Documentation that compares the two products.

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  1. GeethaThatipatri-MSFT 29,477 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2024-04-22T19:09:49.49+00:00

    @RSKenzz adding to what @Alberto Morillo mentioned brushing aside the cost aspect does quite a bit of heavy lifting here, but even so, there are quite a few differences in favor of Azure SQL Database:

    Azure SQL Database is more "managed" than SQL Managed Instance; reducing the complexity to operating a service can be an important aspect

    Regrads

    Geetha

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