Azure Arc SQL Server Support

Question

I have a number of SQL Server running on VMWare on premise. The we have a 3 year license which is soon to expire. We expect to move the databases to RDS in the near future. But do not want to commit to extended license periods. We are looking to move to providing the license via Azure Arc PAYG.

Our current support plan will expire as our license do. I have been unable to discover what level of support we can get through Azure for supporting our SQL Licenses. If we choose the Professional Direct support level on Azure will that cover the on-premise SQL Server

Answer 1

Hello @George Hall Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Q&A platform.

Azure Professional Direct support does cover Azure Arc–enabled SQL Server, but it does NOT replace traditional SQL Server product support for on‑premises SQL itself.

When you enable SQL Server PAYG via Azure Arc, Microsoft considers this an Azure service. With a Professional Direct support plan, Microsoft will support:

• Azure Arc onboarding and connectivity issues
• SQL Server licensing and billing via Azure Arc PAYG
• Azure Arc extensions and agents
• Azure Portal, Azure Resource Graph, policy, and Arc management features
• PAYG metering, charges, and compliance questions

This is consistent with how Azure support plans apply to Azure services, including hybrid services like Azure Arc.

Professional Direct does not provide full SQL Server engine support for:

• Query tuning, performance issues, corruption, or T‑SQL behavior
• Backup/restore failures unrelated to Azure Arc
• SQL Server bugs, hotfixes, or CU-related issues

Those scenarios traditionally require:

• SQL Server Software Assurance, or
• A separate SQL Server support agreement, or
• Running SQL Server as an Azure IaaS/PaaS service (where SQL support is included)

Microsoft explicitly scopes ProDirect to Azure services, not general on‑premises software support.

Azure Arc PAYG:

• Covers licensing (PAYG replaces perpetual licenses)
• Includes Azure support for Arc + billing
• Does not include full SQL Server break/fix product support

For your scenario (short‑term PAYG before moving to AWS RDS):

• Azure Arc PAYG is valid and supported for licensing
• Professional Direct is sufficient for Arc + billing support
• If SQL engine‑level support is still required during this interim period, Microsoft does not bundle that automatically with Arc PAYG

Official references:

• SQL Server PAYG via Azure Arc (licensing scope): https://learn.microsoft.com/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/manage-license-billing [learn.microsoft.com]
• Azure Professional Direct support scope: https://azure.microsoft.com/support/plans/prodirect/ [azure.microsoft.com]

Thanks,

Suchitra.

Answer 2

Hi George Hall

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft QnA

You will get support via Azure Support only in your case.

Prior to license agreement expiration

• Make sure you have an active Azure account with at least one subscription.
• Make sure that all on-premises SQL Server instances covered by the license with Software assurance or by SQL subscription are connected to Azure Arc.
• If you license virtual cores or physical cores without using VMs, make sure that the Azure extensions for SQL Server are configured with licenseType set to Paid. See License SQL Server instances by virtual cores and License SQL Server instances by physical cores without VMs for details.
• If you use the unlimited virtualization licensing method, make sure the p-core license or licenses are created with billingPlan set to Paid, activated and all SQL Servers instances covered by the licenses are properly configured with licenseType set to Paid. See License SQL Server instances by physical cores with unlimited virtualization for details.

Please check details on this page- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/manage-pay-as-you-go-transition?view=sql-server-ver17

If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Answer 3

Azure Arc enables you to manage SQL Server instances running on-premises, including those on VMWare, and allows you to transition to a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) licensing model. However, regarding support levels, the Professional Direct support level on Azure typically covers Azure services and may not extend to on-premises SQL Server instances directly.

For specific support coverage related to your on-premises SQL Server licenses, it is advisable to consult with Microsoft support or your account representative to clarify the details of what is included in the Professional Direct support plan, especially as it pertains to SQL Server instances managed through Azure Arc.

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References:

• SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc
• Manage licensing and billing of SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc