azure-sql-virtual-machines

# SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines Skill This skill provides expert guidance for SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities. ## How to Use This Skill > **IMPORTANT for Agent**: Use the **Category Index** below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., `L35-L120`), use `read_file` with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., `[security.md](security.md)`), use `read_file` on the linked reference file > **IMPORTANT for Agent**: If `metadata.generated_at` is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If `mcp_microsoftdocs` tools are not available, suggest the user install it: [Installation Guide](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mcp/blob/main/README.md) This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content: - **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown. - **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown. ## Category Index | Category | Lines | Description | |----------|-------|-------------| | Troubleshooting | L37-L53 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure SQL and SQL Server on Azure VM issues: connectivity, performance, capacity, memory, transaction log full, geo-replication lag, I/O throttling, and IaaS agent problems. | | Best Practices | L54-L68 | Best practices for SQL Server on Azure VMs: sizing, storage, tempdb, performance tuning, baselines, HADR/FCI with DNN, backups/restores, and planned maintenance preparation. | | Decision Making | L69-L79 | Guidance for choosing Azure SQL options and pricing, comparing SQL VMs vs Managed Instance, planning migrations (including Db2), HADR choices, regional feature support, and SQL VM licensing/AHB. | | Architecture & Design Patterns | L80-L88 | High-level designs and patterns for SQL Server on Azure VMs: connectivity, Always On availability groups, failover cluster instances, and Windows Server Failover Clustering setup. | | Limits & Quotas | L89-L93 | Info on Azure SQL capacity limits, DTU benchmark behavior, regional feature availability, and how to request quota increases for databases and managed instances | | Security | L94-L103 | Securing SQL Server on Azure VMs: policies, TLS cert rotation, Key Vault/EKM, managed identities, Entra auth, Extended Security Updates, hardening guidance, and confidential VM deployment. | | Configuration | L104-L150 | Configuring SQL Server/Managed Instance on Azure VMs: HA/DR (AGs, FCIs, listeners, load balancers), storage and backup layout, IaaS Agent, performance/monitoring, and deployment options. | | Integrations & Coding Patterns | L151-L156 | Querying SQL performance telemetry with KQL and configuring backups from SQL Server on Azure VMs to Blob Storage, including setups that use managed identities. | | Deployment | L157-L173 | Deploying and migrating SQL Server on Azure VMs, including Always On/FCI availability groups (single/multi-subnet, cross-region), regional moves, Ultra Disk, and Confidential VM setups. | ### Troubleshooting | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Resolve capacity errors when deploying Azure SQL resources | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/capacity-errors-troubleshoot?view=azuresql | | Fix slow database import and export in Azure SQL | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/database-import-export-hang?view=azuresql | | Troubleshoot and mitigate transient connectivity errors in Azure SQL | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-common-connectivity-issues?view=azuresql | | Troubleshoot Azure SQL and Fabric SQL connectivity errors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-common-errors-issues?view=azuresql | | Troubleshoot geo-replication and redo lag in Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-geo-replication-redo?view=azuresql | | Investigate and fix memory issues in Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-memory-errors-issues?view=azuresql | | Diagnose and fix Azure SQL DB transaction log full errors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/troubleshoot-transaction-log-errors-issues?view=azuresql-db | | Resolve known issues in Azure SQL Managed Instance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/doc-changes-updates-known-issues?view=azuresql | | Resolve transaction log full errors in Azure SQL Managed Instance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/troubleshoot-transaction-log-errors-issues?view=azuresql-mi | | Troubleshoot SQL Server on Linux Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/linux/frequently-asked-questions-faq?view=azuresql | | Resolve common SQL Server on Azure VM issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/frequently-asked-questions-faq?view=azuresql | | Troubleshoot SQL Server IaaS Agent extension issues on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/sql-agent-extension-troubleshoot-known-issues?view=azuresql | | Diagnose I/O throttling for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/storage-performance-analysis?view=azuresql | ### Best Practices | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Prepare for planned maintenance in Azure SQL | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/planned-maintenance?view=azuresql | | Use SQL features with DNN listeners on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/availability-group-dnn-interoperability?view=azuresql | | Apply backup and restore strategies for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/backup-restore?view=azuresql | | Use SQL Server features with FCI DNN on Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/failover-cluster-instance-dnn-interoperability?view=azuresql | | Configure HADR clusters for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/hadr-cluster-best-practices?view=azuresql | | Apply performance best-practice checklist for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/performance-guidelines-best-practices-checklist?view=azuresql | | Collect performance baselines for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/performance-guidelines-best-practices-collect-baseline?view=azuresql | | Optimize Azure SQL VM storage performance configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/performance-guidelines-best-practices-storage?view=azuresql | | Apply VM sizing performance best practices for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/performance-guidelines-best-practices-vm-size?view=azuresql | | Run SQL best practices assessment for Azure SQL VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/sql-assessment-for-sql-vm?view=azuresql | | Optimize SQL Server tempdb using Azure VM ephemeral storage | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/tempdb-ephemeral-storage?view=azuresql | ### Decision Making | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Use Azure SQL decision tree to choose service | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/azure-sql-decision-tree?view=azuresql | | Plan and modernize SQL Server workloads to Azure SQL | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/migration-guides/modernization?view=azuresql | | Plan and execute Db2 to SQL on Azure VM migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/migration-guides/virtual-machines/db2-to-sql-on-azure-vm-guide?view=azuresql | | Use Modernization Advisor to compare SQL VM vs Managed Instance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/modernization-advisor?view=azuresql | | Choose HADR options for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/business-continuity-high-availability-disaster-recovery-hadr-overview?view=azuresql | | Switch SQL Server VM licensing to Azure Hybrid Benefit | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/licensing-model-azure-hybrid-benefit-ahb-change?view=azuresql | | Choose cost‑effective pricing for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/pricing-guidance?view=azuresql | ### Architecture & Design Patterns | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Understand connectivity architecture for Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/connectivity-architecture?view=azuresql | | Apply SQL Server application patterns on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/application-patterns-development-strategies?view=azuresql | | Design Always On availability groups for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/availability-group-overview?view=azuresql | | Understand failover cluster instances for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/failover-cluster-instance-overview?view=azuresql | | Use Windows Server Failover Clustering with SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/hadr-windows-server-failover-cluster-overview?view=azuresql | ### Limits & Quotas | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Understand DTU benchmark characteristics for Azure SQL | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/dtu-benchmark?view=azuresql | ### Security | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Use built-in Azure Policy definitions for Azure SQL | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/policy-reference?view=azuresql | | Prepare for Azure SQL TLS root certificate rotation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/updates/ssl-root-certificate-expiring?view=azuresql | | Configure Azure Key Vault integration for SQL Server VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/azure-key-vault-integration-configure?view=azuresql | | Enable Microsoft Entra authentication for SQL Server VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/configure-azure-ad-authentication-for-sql-vm?view=azuresql | | Configure Extended Security Updates for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/extended-security-updates-sql-vm?view=azuresql | | Harden SQL Server on Azure VMs with security best practices | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/security-considerations-best-practices?view=azuresql | ### Configuration | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Modify Azure SQL Database configuration settings safely | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/modifiable-configuration-reference?view=azuresql | | Reference for Azure SQL Database monitoring metrics and logs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/monitoring-sql-database-azure-monitor-reference?view=azuresql | | Use Azure portal classic query editor for SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/query-editor-classic?view=azuresql | | Modify Azure SQL Managed Instance configuration settings | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/modifiable-configuration-reference?view=azuresql | | Reference Azure Monitor metrics for SQL Managed Instance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/monitoring-sql-managed-instance-azure-monitor-reference?view=azuresql | | Set up Always On AG with DH2i DxEnterprise on Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/linux/dh2i-high-availability-tutorial?view=azuresql | | Configure availability group listener for Linux SQL VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/linux/high-availability-listener-tutorial?view=azuresql | | Configure RHEL cluster and fencing for SQL AG on Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/linux/rhel-high-availability-fencing-tutorial?view=azuresql | | Configure SLES cluster and STONITH for SQL AG on Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/linux/sles-high-availability-fencing-tutorial?view=azuresql | | Register Linux SQL Server VMs with SQL IaaS Agent | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/linux/sql-iaas-agent-extension-register-vm-linux?view=azuresql | | Configure SQL IaaS Agent extension on Linux SQL VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/linux/sql-server-iaas-agent-extension-linux?view=azuresql | | Configure Ubuntu availability group for SQL on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/linux/ubuntu-high-availability-fencing-tutorial?view=azuresql | | Create SQL Server on Azure VM with PowerShell | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/scripts/create-sql-vm-powershell?view=azuresql | | Configure automated backups for SQL Server 2014 VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/automated-backup-sql-2014?view=azuresql | | Configure automated backups for SQL Server on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/automated-backup?view=azuresql | | Configure domain-independent SQL AG on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/availability-group-clusterless-workgroup-configure?view=azuresql | | Configure DNN listener for SQL availability groups on VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/availability-group-distributed-network-name-dnn-listener-configure?view=azuresql | | Configure AG listeners and load balancer via PowerShell | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/availability-group-listener-powershell-configure?view=azuresql | | Configure load balancer and AG listener in Azure portal | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/availability-group-load-balancer-portal-configure?view=azuresql | | Configure SQL Server AG with Azure quickstart template | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/availability-group-quickstart-template-configure?view=azuresql | | Configure Azure Load Balancer for SQL AG VNN listener | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/availability-group-vnn-azure-load-balancer-configure?view=azuresql | | Change SQL Server edition in-place on Azure VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/change-sql-server-edition?view=azuresql |