Can an Azure SQL Database be paused?

  • I've got one of our developer databases into Azure SQL Database. I'm using my MSDN license for this. (Eventually, we'll move it to something more permanent. Right now I'm just working on a proof of concept application using Azure SQL.) I've also got an Azure Active Directory created which I intend to use as the only accounts that can access my Azure SQL db. And I used an Azure Blob Storage to get the .BACPAC from the on-premise SQL database, into Azure SQL. All three are still active, although at this point I'm not doing anything with the Azure Storage.

    My concern is running out of the monthly allotment of funds that I get through my MSDN subscription. Every time I get into Azure I get a notification of how much money is left for this month. At this point I'm still going through a learning curve on Azure. Plus other maintenance duties that pull me away, I'd have to say that I probably actually spend at most a couple of hours a day in Azure. But my guess is that Microsoft keeps charging my MSDN account for 24 hours each day, even if I'm at most only using it 2 hours a day.

    I'm sure you see this question coming; is there some way of turning Azure SQL and Azure Storage off when I'm not using it? Should I drop Azure Storage, because I'm not using it at all? Or should I just delete the .bacpac out of Azure Storage? (After all, I've got a copy of it on my work PC.)

    Bonus question, is it possible for me to turn off Azure AD while I'm not using it?

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • Nope. You can't pause Azure SQL Database. You can with the Warehouse, but not the database.

    Best approach, script all the creates and then run them when you're ready to learn. Drop everything EXCEPT Azure Storage. It's the cheapest thing out there. If you have a custom database you're working with, creating a dacpac of it and then using that to recreate when you're ready is probably the best way to get it done.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

    Author of:
    SQL Server Execution Plans
    SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

  • Grant, should I also drop my Azure AD?

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

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