Azure SQL Database Guide

This page contains resources and information that will help you learn more about the Windows Azure SQL Database. If you are already familiar with SQL Database and are looking for product documentation, news and events, or a list of additional resources, please visit the following sites:

• Windows Azure SQL Database Product Documentation on the MSDN Library 
• [[SQL Database TechNet Wiki Articles Index]]
• Windows Azure SQL Database Content Index
• windowsazure.com
• Windows Azure SQL Database FAQ

Note

If you wish to contribute to this page, use the Edit tab at the top (sign-in required). If you wish to provide feedback for this documentation please either send e-mail to azuredocs@microsoft.com or use the Comment field at the bottom of this page (sign-in required).

Introduction

Windows Azure SQL Database is a database service provided as part of the Windows Azure Platform. It is based on Microsoft SQL Server, and provides many of the same features. Unlike SQL Server, which is provided as a software package that you install and maintain, SQL Database is provided as a service that is hosted on hardware in Microsoft datacenters. SQL Database takes care of maintaining the hardware and software layer, freeing you to concentrate on database design.
Since SQL Database maintains the hardware and software for your database, provisioning a new database is very straightforward and easy; you request a new database and Microsoft provisions one automatically for you. Data stored in SQL Database is also highly available, as each database hosted in the Microsoft data center has three copies: one primary and two secondary replicas. All reads and writes go through the primary, and any changes are replicated to the secondary replicas asynchronously.

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Getting Started

General	Getting Started with the SQL Database using the Windows Azure Management Portal Comparison of SQL Server with Windows Azure SQL Database [[Understanding Data Storage Offerings on the Windows Azure Platform]] Getting Started with the Database Manager for SQL Database Getting Started with SQL Database Development Develop and Deploy with Windows Azure SQL Database Windows Azure Technologies Tutorials - Tutorial 2: Using SQL Database Video What is Windows Azure SQL Database? SQL Database: Creating your First Database What’s New in Windows Azure SQL Database (TechEd Berlin 2010) What's New in SQL Database? (PDC 2010) Introduction to Database Manager for SQL Database (PDC 2010)
Building your first application	Video Using SQL Database to Build a Cloud Application with Data Access
Migration	Migrating Databases to SQL Database [[Moving Access Data to the Cloud]]

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Architecture and Design

General	SQL Database Architecture Inside Windows Azure SQL Database
Performance	Gaining Performance Insight into Windows Azure SQL Database Inside Windows Azure SQL Database
Transactions	Handling Transactions in Windows Azure SQL Database
Security	Overview of Security in Windows Azure SQL Database Security Guidelines for Windows Azure SQL Database Windows Azure SQL Database Connection Security
Synchronization	SQL Data Sync Scenario: SQL Server-to-SQL Database Synchronization Windows Azure SQL Database-to-SQL Server Synchronization
Pricing/Billing	Pricing and Specials Windows Azure SQL Database Billing Numbers Directly From Transact-SQL

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How To

Administration	How To: Configure the SQL Database Firewall How To: Migrate a Database Using the Generate Scripts Wizard How To: Backup your Database How To: Copy your Database to a Different Server Video How To: Configure SQL Database Security How To: Manage SQL Database Firewall Rules
Development	How To: Connect to SQL Database Using SQLCMD How To: Connect to SQL Database Using ADO.NET How To: Connect to SQL Database Through ASP.NET How To: Connect to SQL Database Through WCF (ADO.NET) Data Services How To: Connect to SQL Database Using PHP How To: Connect to SQL Database Using the ADO.NET Entity Framework How To: Decode Reason Codes in SQL Database

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Training

General

Introduction to SQL Database Windows Azure Technologies Tutorials - Tutorial 2: Using SQL Database SQL Database Tips and Tricks

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Code Samples

General

Code for "SQL Database and Windows Azure Table Storage" Updated ASP.NET Scripts for use with SQL Database

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Videos

General	What’s New in Windows Azure SQL Database (TechEd 2010) Windows Azure SQL Database Overview: Tools, Demos and Walkthroughs of Key Features (TechEd 2011) Migrating Applications to Windows Azure SQL Database (TechEd 2010) Moving Applications to the Cloud (TechEd 2011) Automating Database Migration to Microsoft SQL Server (TechEd 2011)
Architecture and Design	Backup, Restore and Database Management Strategies (TechEd 2011) Building Scalable Database Solutions Using Windows Azure SQL Database Federations (PDC 2011) Using Windows Azure SQL Database with On-Premises Data: Migration and Synchronization Strategies and Practices (TechEd 2011) Using Storage in the Windows Azure Platform (MIX 2010) New Business and Application Models with Windows Azure SQL Database  (WPC 2010) Building a Multi-Tenant SaaS Application with SQL Database and AppFabric (WPC 2010)                 Windows Azure SQL Database Performance Considerations and Troubleshooting (PDC 2011)
Development	SQL Database Development Best Practices (TechEd 2010) Building Web Applications with Windows Azure SQL Database (MIX 2010) Developing Compelling Applications with Java and PHP on Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Database (TechEd 2011) Using Cloud (Windows Azure SQL Database) and PowerPivot to Deliver Data and Self-Service BI at Microsoft (TechEd 2011)

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Community Resources

Microsoft Community Sites

Windows Azure Team Blog SQL Database Forum

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