First summary of previous blog posts.
Part 1: We defined SQL Azure and discussed advantages of SQL Azure
Part 2: We created an Azure account and created our very first SQL Azure database
Part 3: We discussed about the provisioning and the billing model of SQL Azure
Part 4: We discussed the SQL Azure Architecture
Part 5: We discussed the SQL Azure Security Model
Part 6: We discussed how to migrate databases to SQL Azure
Part 7: We discussed how to improve performance of SQL Azure DB and options for planning backup and restore strategies.
Part 8: We discussed administrative tasks related to SQL Azure.
Part 9: We discussed about Developing SQL Azure applications.
Part 10 A: We discussed about SQL Azure Data SYNC and SQL Azure Reporting
As summarized, above list were the set the topics that you need to know to get started with SQL Azure. In addition, I hope that I have given you an idea of what SQL Azure has to offer. Using this knowledge, I would like you to encourage and explore the use cases of SQL Azure. For instance – this case study: http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Windows-Azure/Flavorus/Ticketing-Company-Scales-to-Sell-150-000-Tickets-in-10-Seconds-by-Moving-to-Cloud-Computing-Solution/4000011072 . In couple of sentences, what they do is they spawn large number of databases that are used for a small amount of time by an application that requires high-throughput. Therefore, it is the perfect example of how SQL Azure opens new set of possibilities and at the same time, SQL Azure tries it best to support the traditional SQL Server centric scenarios. To understand better the difference between SQL Azure and SQL Azure, conceptually following image may help:
Both solutions are essentially Microsoft’s RDBMS but are different in certain manners. I have tried to point the differences during the series – and I hope you understand that there is a difference from architecture standpoint as well as from technical (Developer, DBA) standpoint.
Moreover, when the series was being written – SQL Azure federations was not publicly available but, good news is that it is now open for public! SQL Azure federations provide the out of the box solution for “scaling out” your databases. To learn more about this unique feature, you can go to http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/hh597452.aspx
In addition, I would say that SQL Azure has rapid service update cycles. Therefore, within a year, you may find 4-5 service updates. To keep track of what is new in SQL Azure, please visit: http://beyondrelational.com/whatisnew/sqlserver/azure.aspx. In addition, few upcoming projects are posted on SQL Azure labs. Check those projects out! Link: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlazurelabs/default.aspx
In addition, have a look at SQL Azure Interview QA’s and I hope you are now able to answer these questions! http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2011/07/25/sql-server-azure-interview-questions-and-answers-guest-post-by-paras-doshi-day-25-of-31/
At the end, I thank you for following the series and I hoped you got a head start on SQL Azure.