How do I upgrade SQL server running in Azure to latest version?

Gabby Chuchro 21 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
2021-02-22T22:34:22.637+00:00

Hello, I have a SQL server running in Azure. When creating the SQL server, there is no version selection. After creation, I see that it is running version 12, which I believe is 2014. This version is not compatible with my use case of the server (running it with Azure DevOps Server 2020).

My main question is: Is there a way to upgrade my existing SQL service to the 2019 version?

Also, where can I find the documentation for running a SQL Server in Azure? It does not seem like the service I used in Azure is any one of the 3 documented Azure SQL products mentioned here.

Azure SQL Database
SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
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  1. Erland Sommarskog 101K Reputation points MVP
    2021-02-22T23:05:12.07+00:00

    Assuming that you have an Azure SQL Database, the answer is that you don't. Azure SQL is a PaaS service, and Microsoft are handling all the updates for you. The only means of control that you have is the compatibility level.

    Yes, SELECT @@version returns something which looks seriously out of date. I don't know why they keep it that way.

    The documentation for Azure SQL Database is the same for the normal SQL Server. On every page there is information to which flavours of SQL Server the topic applies to.

    If you are in fact running SQL Server on an Azure VM, you do indeed to upgrade (or just tear down that VM and create a new). That is no different from upgrading on-prem.

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  1. CathyJi-MSFT 21,091 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-02-23T03:19:36.567+00:00

    Hi @Gabby Chuchro ,

    Please check if below blog could help you.

    How to upgrade SQL Azure server to the latest version

    >where can I find the documentation for running a SQL Server in Azure? It does not seem like the service I used in Azure is any one of the 3 documented Azure SQL products mentioned here.

    There are three types of SQL Server database engine products in the cloud: Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure VM. Please refer to What is Azure SQL?

    If you still confuse about your environment, could you share us a screenshot about your SQL server in Azure to make us better understand your issue. Please check the type of your SQL server resource in Azure portal. Please mask private data when share a screenshot.

    If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it, thank you.

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