SQL Server 2012 introduces a new feature to issues backups on the Windows Azure Blob Storage service directly and restore from there when needed. But how does it work and how to get started using T-SQL commands for backup and restore operation?   Read more...

Are you a SQL Server DBA who is now being asked to migrate databases to Windows Azure SQL Database (WASD)? Are you a developer who is writing code for a cloud service that shall use SQL Database as the back-end? This blog post is based on issues encountered while supporting customers that were once in your shoes and the lessons learned in the process.   Read more...

In this article, Marcin Policht looks at migrating existing SQL Server databases to Windows Azure, starting with identifying obstacles associated with such migrations.  Read more...

Azure BLOB storage is persistent Cloud data storage that serves a variety of purposes. Mike Wood shows the basics of how to use it, from start through to snapshots and metadata; both from .NET, and by using the free tool, Cerebrata Azure Explorer.   Read more...

From the MSDN Windows Azure blog - We recently introduced Azure CAT team series of blog posts and tech articles describing the Cloud Service Fundamentals in Windows Azure code project posted on MSDN Code Gallery. The first component we are addressing in this series is Telemetry. This has been one of the first reusable components we have built working on Windows Azure customer projects of all sizes.  Read more...

One way of getting the advantages of the Cloud without having to migrate the entire database is to just maintain a copy of the data that needs to be accessible to internet-based users in Windows Azure SQL Database. There are various ways of keeping the two in sync, and Feodor Georgiev describes a solution based in using SSIS.  Read more...

A quick guide for connecting to our free copy of AdventureWorks on the Azure platform.  Read more...

It is increasingly likely that DBAs are now given responsibility for maintaining Azure SQL databases as well as conventional SQL Server databases. What is likely to be required by way of maintenence? What are the differences? Grant Fritchey covers what you need to know.  Read more...

We’re putting together a free eBook of 50 tips for Azure Storage, if you’ve got tips that you’d like to share we’d love to hear from you.  Read more...

While backup to the Cloud may be useful in terms of optimizing storage across the enterprise, for DBAs it remains essential that they retain fast, easy, access to the backup files. Azure Explorer is a free tool that might help.  Read more...

Is there a sound technical reason why SQL Azure can't support extended properties?   Read more...

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) can be used effectively as a tool for moving data to and from Windows Azure SQL Database, as part of the total extract, transform, and load (ETL) solution and as part of the data movement solution. SSIS can be used effectively to move data between sources and destinations in the cloud, and in a hybrid scenario between the cloud and on-premise. This paper outlines best practices for using SSIS for cloud sources and destinations and for project planning for SSIS projects to be used with Azure or hybrid data moves, and gives an example of maximizing performance on a hybrid move by scaling out the data movement.  Read more...

Amazon RDS SQL Server is the new kid on the block. Is it better than SQL Azure?  Read more...

An attempt to use Ordanance Survey OS Open Data, SQL Server and SharePoint in the construction of a system for supermarkets to supply expiring food to nearby homeless shelters.   Read more...

Before creating a data application in Windows Azure, it is important to make choices based on the type of data you have, as well as the security and the business requirements. There are a wide range of options, because Windows Azure has intrinsic data storage, completely separate from SQL Azure, that is highly available and replicated. Your data requirements are likely to dictate the type of data storage options you choose.  Read more...

Developers targeting the SQL Azure platform should make sure their applications are secure. This article walks through the considerations developers need to keep in mind when designing SQL Azure applications.  Read more...

We asked Buck Woody to come up with his favourite 'Cloud' Howlers. After 'Howler' monkeys, we are faced with Howler letters. Buck dreams of sending Howler letters to the folks who dreamed up the marketing hype around 'cloud' services, who misunderstand services, who don't prepares applications for distributed environments and so on.  Read more...

We are conducting new product research and are keen to speak to people who have any experience (good or bad!) using Microsoft's SQL or Windows Azure. If you're interested and would like to get involved--tell us your frustrations, shape a new product, test-drive betas etc  Read more...

We have been doing some more work with SQL Azure lately, so I have put together a small collection of...  Read more...

As a DBA you always followed a practice to back up your database (or take a snapshot of your database) before making any changes so that you can revert to your old database state if something goes wrong. Also to setup a development or test environment you use a backup of your database and restore it in the respective environment. If you are moving to SQL Azure, what would you do in these cases as backup / restore and database snapshots are not supported as of now?  Read more...