Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance is a fully managed and highly available version of SQL Server that is hosted on Azure. It is a platform as a service (PaaS) offering that provides an easy way for organizations to migrate their SQL Server workloads to the cloud.
Managed Instance provides the ability to run SQL Server databases in the cloud with minimal management effort and without the need to manage virtual machines. It allows organizations to lift and shift their on-premises SQL Server databases to the cloud with minimal changes to the application.
Managed Instance is a good fit for organizations that want to move their SQL Server workloads to the cloud but don’t want to manage the underlying infrastructure. It allows organizations to take advantage of the benefits of the cloud, such as scalability and high availability, while still using the familiar SQL Server programming model.
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed and highly available relational database service provided by Microsoft as part of the Azure platform. It is a platform as a service (PaaS) offering that allows organizations to easily create, configure, and manage a SQL Server database in the cloud.
Azure SQL Database provides several key features, including:
- Automatic patching and backups
- High availability and disaster recovery
- Scalability
- Support for Azure AD authentication
- Support for private endpoint
- Support for Azure Hybrid Benefit
- Support for Elastic Pool and Managed Instance
Azure SQL Database is available in two deployment options: single databases and elastic pools. Single databases are individual databases that are created and managed separately, while elastic pools allow multiple databases to share resources, making it easier to manage and scale multiple databases.
Migration Reasons
Azure SQL Database Managed Instance is a specific offering within the Azure SQL Database service that is designed to provide a migration path for on-premises SQL Server databases to the cloud. It provides a native virtual network (VNet) and it is a good option for more complex scenarios, such as applications that require features that are not available in single databases, or for customers that want to maintain a high degree of compatibility with on-premises SQL Server.
There are several reasons why you might consider migrating from Azure SQL Managed Instance to Azure SQL Database. Some of the main reasons include:
- Cost: Azure SQL Database is generally less expensive than Azure SQL Managed Instance for the same amount of resources, especially for smaller or less complex workloads.
- Flexibility: Azure SQL Database is more flexible than Azure SQL Managed Instance, as it allows you to scale compute and storage resources independently. This can be beneficial for applications with varying performance requirements.
- Features: Azure SQL Database supports a wider range of features and options than Azure SQL Managed Instance, including serverless and Hyperscale deployment options, which can be beneficial for certain types of workloads.
- Multi-model support: Azure SQL Database supports multiple data models, including relational, JSON, and graph data, which can be beneficial for applications that need to work with different types of data.
- Cloud-native development: Azure SQL Database is designed for cloud-native development, and is better suited for new, cloud-native applications that do not require all the features of SQL Server.
- Portability: Azure SQL Database allows for easy migration to other platforms, such as PostgreSQL and MySQL, which can be beneficial in case of a future change in strategy, or if the organization is already using those databases.
It’s worth noting that migrating from Azure SQL Managed Instance to Azure SQL Database requires a certain level of planning and testing, and it’s important to evaluate the compatibility and performance of your application before making the move.