Can I SQL Dev with Azure - Development and Deployment

Developing SQL databases on Azure is a fantastic idea. Azure offers a wide range of tools and services that make it easy to create, deploy, and manage SQL databases.

One of the key benefits of using Azure for SQL development is that it provides a scalable and secure environment. With Azure, you can easily scale up or down to meet changing database needs, and you can also take advantage of Azure's built-in security features to protect your data.

Azure provides a range of development tools that make it easy to create and deploy SQL databases. These tools include Azure Data Studio, which provides a graphical interface for creating and managing SQL databases, and Azure DevOps, which provides a platform for managing the entire development lifecycle.

Overall, developing SQL databases on Azure is a great choice for anyone looking to create scalable and secure databases.

To set up a database for SQL Dev with Azure, you'll first need to link a database to your Azure DevOps project. This is done by selecting the source control system, specifying the repository folder name, and editing the auto-generated repository name if necessary.

You'll also need to select the database development model and test the settings you've provided. This ensures that everything is set up correctly before moving forward.

Here's a brief overview of the steps involved in linking a database to your Azure DevOps project:

After completing these steps, you can test the settings and then click OK to return to the previous window where you can select the database development model and finish linking the database to the Azure DevOps project.

To integrate your database, you'll first need to link it to your Azure DevOps project. Select the source control system, which is a crucial step in the process.

Specify the repository folder name, as this will help you organize your database and project files. You can also edit the auto-generated repository name if needed.

Here are the steps in a concise list:

Once you've completed these steps, you can test your settings to ensure everything is in order. After that, click OK to return to the previous window where you can select the database development model and finish linking the database to the Azure DevOps project.

Creating a BACPAC is a crucial step in setting up your database. You can create a BACPAC using the Azure portal for your Azure SQL database.

To create a BACPAC, use SQL Management Studio or SQL Package for Azure SQL Managed Instances.

The BACPAC file needs to be stored in a location that can be mounted to the Azure VM running Windocks. This can be either NFS or SMB mounted to the VM.

You can deliver customized database clones on demand in containers from an image. This is made possible by the Windocks orchestrator, which coordinates different services to achieve this.

The orchestrator coordinates different services to deliver customized database clones in containers as specified. This means you can get the databases you need, when you need them.

Use a web application, command line, or REST API to deliver databases on demand. This gives you flexibility in how you interact with the system.

These databases are available in containers running on the Azure VM which runs Windocks. This ensures a seamless and efficient experience.

You'll need to review the configuration options for your virtual machine, specifically the Disks, Networking, Management, and Advanced tabs.

On the Disks tab, review the configuration to ensure it meets your needs, and make note of the storage options for your SQL Server VM, which include one premium disk with read caching for data and one premium disk without caching for transaction log.

The Networking tab is where you'll configure the virtual network interface card (NIC) and ensure that the virtual machine is connected to the correct network.

On the Management tab, verify that Enable auto_shutdown is unchecked, so your virtual machine won't shut down automatically.

The Advanced tab provides additional configuration options, but for now, you can skip it and move on to the SQL Server settings.

The SQL Server settings tab allows you to configure the storage for your SQL Server VM, including the local SSD for tempdb, and review the configuration to ensure it meets your needs.

Here are the key configuration options to review:

The Servers Menu is a powerful tool in Azure that allows you to connect and scan for valid Azure Servers and Databases. It's essential to authenticate your computer using the device login URL and a user code to get started.

To set up a connection, click the name of the database you want, and an electric plug icon will appear. Clicking this icon brings up the recent connections dialog box, where you can select standard security to connect to the database.

One interesting thing to note is that all database objects are shown in the manage database windows. You can filter these objects by searching by the correct acronym, such as using the "t:" pattern to only list tables.

Right-clicking a table allows for the selection of the first 1000 rows, the editing of the top 200 rows, or scripting the table out into a new query window. These shortcut actions are worth exploring to streamline your workflow.

In addition to filtering and editing database objects, the Servers Menu also allows you to add an entry to a favorite server group for quick recall. This feature is particularly useful for frequently accessed databases.

Here are some key features of the Servers Menu:

By leveraging the Servers Menu, you can efficiently manage your Azure databases and streamline your workflow.

To provide spec to the orchestrator, you'll need to specify the path to one or more SQL backup or database files or Azure SQL BACPAC files. This is the foundation of the database cloning process.

The orchestrator will use the specified files to create database clones. You can choose to use Windocks database cloning or volume cloning from other companies.

You'll also need to decide where to deliver the database clones, such as Windocks SQL Server Windows containers or SQL Server instances. This is a crucial step in the process.

The frequency of refreshing from production is also important to specify. This will ensure that your database clones are always up-to-date.

You may also need to include customizations, such as database scripts to be applied. The orchestrator will take care of applying these scripts to the database clones.

Finally, you'll need to specify which masking software to use, such as Windocks masking or other masking solutions or scripts. This will help protect sensitive data in the database clones.