Microsoft Azure Data FundamentalsDescribe how to work with relational data on AzureHard

A company is migrating an on-premises SQL Server database to Azure. The database contains several features, including SQL Server Agent jobs, cross-database queries, and Distributed Transaction Coordinator (DTC). The company needs a fully managed service that minimizes refactoring efforts while providing nearly 100% compatibility with their existing SQL Server environment. Which Azure relational data service should they choose?

  1. AAzure Database for MySQL
  2. BAzure SQL Database Managed Instance
  3. CSQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
  4. DAzure SQL Database
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. Azure SQL Database Managed Instance

Azure SQL Database Managed Instance offers near 100% compatibility with the latest SQL Server (Enterprise Edition) database engine. It supports features like SQL Server Agent, cross-database queries, and DTC, which are not available in Azure SQL Database (PaaS) but are crucial for minimizing refactoring efforts during migration from an on-premises SQL Server.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Azure Database for MySQL is for MySQL databases, not SQL Server, and is incompatible with the mentioned features.
  • C. SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (IaaS) offers 100% compatibility but is not a 'fully managed service' as it requires managing the OS and SQL Server directly.
  • D. Azure SQL Database (PaaS) does not support many SQL Server Agent features, cross-database queries, or DTC, requiring significant refactoring.

Azure SQL DB Managed Instance

A fully managed cloud database service that provides near 100% compatibility with the latest SQL Server database engine, suitable for lift-and-shift migrations.

  • Near 100% SQL Server compatibility
  • Supports SQL Server Agent, cross-database queries, DTC
  • Fully managed PaaS service
  • Isolated virtual network environment

Memory trick: Migrate SQL: Managed Instance for compatibility, PaaS for simplicity, VM for control.

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