Difference Between Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance
Azure sql database vs managed instance shares common code with the latest stable version of SQL server. Most of the standards of SQL language, data management, and query processing are identical in azure SQL database and managed instance. The features are also common in azure SQL servers or SQL databases and managed instances. There are multiple features same in the azure SQL database and managed instances like language keywords control flows.
Azure SQL managed instance provides integration of native virtual network while azure SQL database enables the access of restricted virtual network by using endpoints of Vnet. SQL-managed instance helps us to bridge the gap between the azure SQL database and the on-premises SQL server due to the instance scope in a configuration model.
The azure SQL database and managed instances both offer a database as a service model. SQL-managed instances and azure SQ databases share the common code by using the latest stable version of the SQL server. The standard SQL language and features of database management are identical to the azure SQL database and managed instances.
What is Azure SQL Database?
Azure SQL database is a managed platform as a service of database engine which handles the functions of database management such as upgrading, patching, deployment, monitoring, and backups without the involvement of the user. Azure SQL database runs on a stable version which was the latest also OS patched with 99% availability.
PaaS capabilities are built into the SQL database of azure which enables us to focus on the database administration, which was domain-specific, and the optimization activities, which were critical to our business. We are creating layer of highly available high performance for applications and solutions. SQL database will contain the modern cloud applications’ right choice, which enables non-relational structures such as JSON and XML. Azure SQL database is based on the latest stable version of the SQL database engine. We are also using advanced query features such as intelligent query processing. We are also getting the newest version of SQL capabilities using azure SQL database.
What is Managed Instance?
Azure managed instance is a scalable and intelligent database service that combines the broadcast engine of SQL server by using all the benefits of evergreen and fully managed platform as a service. By using SQL-managed instances, we can modernize our existing apps by combining the experience of skills and resources.
Azure managed instance will contain 100% compatibility with the SQL server database engine, which provides the implementation of a virtual network addressing the business model and security concerns. SQL-managed instance allows us to lift and shift the on-premises application to the cloud with minimal database and application changes.
Head to Head Comparison Between Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance (Infographics)
Below are the top 10 differences between Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance:
Key Difference Between Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance
Below are the key differences between azure SQL database vs managed instance:
- Recovery model: We are recovering the database of azure SQL by using database backups only. We are recovering the managed instance by using automated backups and full backups, which are placed on blob storage.
- Active geo-replication: SQL databases are supported in service tiers other than hyper-scale. The managed instance is not supported by active geo-replication
- Auto failover groups: SQL databases are supported across all tiers and services. Azure managed instances are supported in the auto-failover group
- Automatics indexes: Automatic indexes are supported in the SQL database servers. Automatic indexes are not supported in a managed instance.
- Elastic jobs: Elastic jobs are supported in SQL database servers. Elastic jobs are not supported in the managed instance.
- Long term backup retention: Long-term backup retention is supported in the Azure SQL database. Long term backup retention is not supported in the managed instance.
- Hyperscale architecture: Hyperscale architecture is supported in SQL database servers. Hyperscale architecture is not supported in the managed instance.
- SQL server profiler: SQL server profiler is not supported in SQL database server. SQL server profiler is supported in the managed instance.
- Cross-database transactions: Cross-database transactions are not supported in SQL database servers. Cross-database transactions are supported in managed instances.
- Database mail: Database mail is not supported in the SQL database server. Database mail is supported in managed instances.
- Linked server: Linked server is not supported in SQL database server. The linked server is supported in a managed instance.
- Service broker: Service broker is not supported in SQL database server. The service broker is supported in the managed instance.
Azure SQL Database Requirement
To use the SQL server native client, we need to install it onto the machine from which HVR connects to the SQL database. As we know, azure is a platform as a service from the Microsoft Azure platform, so we need to create an account with Microsoft Azure. HVR is using the native client of the SQL server, which we need to connect with the ODBC driver. Also, we need to read and write the data with continuous integration.
Azure SQL server database contains the firewall setting, which prevents incoming connections by default. This configuration is done by using a database server or show firewall settings. For allowing access to the firewall services at the time of connecting to azure VM, we need to set the allow access option ON.
Managed Instance Requirement
While using managed instance, we need to open the port of 1433. If windows firewall is blocking the traffic by default onto the host of the diagnostic server, then windows firewall settings is adding new rules of inbound and outbound to the port of 1433. We need to use the azure active directory authentication at the time of using managed instance.
We need to install the authentication of the azure active directory library for the SQL server into the diagnostic server while connecting to the Azure SQL managed instance and authentication of the active directory. At the time of connecting to the managed instance, we need to make sure our port is open.
Comparison Table of Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance
Below is the top comparisons between Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance:
| Sr. No | Key Points | Azure SQL Database | Managed Instance |
| 1 | Auditing | We are unable to audit the Azure SQL database. | We are able to audit the Azure SQL database. |
| 2 | Azure active directory | We are using the azure active directory in the SQL database. | We are using the azure active directory in managed instances. |
| 3 | Backup command | Not available. We are using system automated backups. | We are using the backup command to take backup. |
| 4 | Built-in functions | A built-in function is available in the Azure SQL database. | A built-in function is available in managed instances. |
| 5 | Bulk insert statement | We are using bulk insert statements from Azure BLOB storage. | We are using bulk insert statements from Azure BLOB storage. |
| 6 | Certificate and keys | We are using a certificate and key in the Azure SQL database. | We are using certificates and keys in managed instances. |
| 7 | CDC support | From the S3 tier and above, CDC is supported by azure SQL database. | CDC support is available in managed instances. |
| 8 | Server collation | It does not contain server collation. Default available. | It contains the server collation. |
| 9 | Column store index | Column store index is supported in Azure SQL database. | Column store index is supported in managed instances. |
| 10 | CLR support | CLR is supported in the Azure SQL database. | CLR is not supported in Azure managed instances. |
| 11 | Cross-database transactions | Cross-database transactions are not possible. | Cross-database transactions are possible. |
| 12 | Database mirroring | Database mirroring is not possible in the Azure SQL database. | Database mirroring is not possible in an azure managed instance. |
Purpose of Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL database contains various functionalities to make it more intelligent. Basically, azure SQL database is a relational database as a service which was more reliable and secure. also, it will give a high performance without worrying about storage and infrastructure. The azure SQL database is supporting to the relational JSON and XML data structures.
Microsoft Azure SQL database contains three deployment options.
Below are deployment options for the Azure SQL database.
- Elastic pool
- Single database
- Managed instances
Azure SQL Database is adding various functionalities to the SQL database. Azure SQL database contains the flagship product of Microsoft database, which was supporting multiple data structures.
Purpose of Managed Instance
The azure managed instance is designed for customers looking for migrating a large number of applications from the on-premises environment. By using a fully automated service of data migration is lifting and shifting the instance, which was offering compatibility with the SQL server and vnet support of customer instances.
SQL-managed instances is combining the features which were available in the SQL server database engine and azure SQL database. Azure managed instance is certified against multiple compliant standards.
Conclusion
The azure SQL database and managed instances both offer a database as a service model. SQL-managed instances and azure SQL databases share the common code by using the latest stable version of the SQL server. Most standard SQL languages, data management, and query processing are identical in azure SQL databases and managed instances.
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