This reference architecture leverages Azure as the foundational cloud platform for deploying SQL Server workloads in Azure Virtual Machines using Everpure Cloud Dedicated as the block storage for user databases. Azure serves as a single platform for all components, integrating compute, storage, and networking services to deliver an environment that performs consistently and that is scalable and reliable.
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure serves as the foundational platform for deploying SQL Server workloads in this reference architecture. It provides a scalable, secure, and resilient environment that supports modern database requirements with integrated compute, storage, and networking services. Relevant services included in this reference architecture include:
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Azure Virtual Machines, delivering flexible and scalable compute resources capable of handling a wide range of transactional and analytical SQL Server workloads. Azure Virtual Network enables secure communication between resources, while native support for iSCSI and other protocols facilitates efficient connectivity to storage solutions.
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Azure Availability Zones enhance system reliability by ensuring fault tolerance and high availability across geographically separated data centers. Azure services, such as Premium SSD v2 for high-performance storage, further extend the capabilities of the platform, enabling robust disaster recovery and backup strategies.
As a unified cloud environment, Microsoft Azure integrates compute, storage, and networking seamlessly to create a secure, high-performing foundation for mission-critical database deployments.
Azure Virtual Machines provides the flexible and scalable compute foundation for deploying SQL Server user databases in this architecture. Supporting both Windows Server and assorted Linux platforms, Azure Virtual Machines delivers the performance and reliability required for modern database workloads.
SQL Server workloads can utilize various Azure Virtual Machines families tailored to different requirements. For memory-intensive applications, E-series and M-series virtual machines offer high memory capacity and scalability, while D-series virtual machines aligned wih their specific workloads and performance needs.
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database developed by Microsoft. It is designed to store, retrieve, and manage large volumes of data for enterprise applications, and it supports a wide range of workloads, from online transaction processing to complex online analytical processing. SQL Server ensures data integrity, provides robust security features, and supports high availability through features like Always On Availability Groups.
A SQL Server instance represents the installation of the database engine and its associated services on an Azure virtual machine. It is responsible for managing one or more user databases and system databases. A SQL Server database consists of a set of files (data and transaction log) that persist in relationally structured data for use.
Everpure Cloud Dedicated
Everpure Cloud Dedicated by Everpure is the block storage solution for SQL Server user databases deployed in Azure Virtual Machines. Purpose-built for cloud environments, Everpure Cloud Dedicated delivers enterprise-grade storage capabilities while ensuring a consistent storage experience across on-premises and Azure environments. This seamless mobility enables organizations to maximize flexibility for their SQL Server workloads.
Everpure Cloud Dedicated incorporates advanced data reduction technologies, significantly reducing cloud storage costs without compromising performance or scalability. Optimized for Azure, Everpure Cloud Dedicated integrates with Azure Virtual Machines, to provide low-latency, high-performance storage tailored to the demands of SQL Server deployments. Additionally, Everpure Cloud Dedicated supports offloading snapshots to Azure Blob Storage, offering a robust disaster recovery solution with rapid restores and long-term retention.
By leveraging Everpure Cloud Dedicated, organizations can achieve predictable performance, cost efficiency, and simplified management for SQL Server databases in Azure.
Cloud Block Store is available in two versions, //V10 and //V20. Each version provides different capacity and performance capabilities.
Everpure Cloud Dedicated deployments are powered by Purity for FlashArray™. Purity delivers rich, enterprise level data services that ensure data is stored in the most secure and efficient way while providing additional functionality to extend storage capabilities.
For more technical details, refer to the Everpure Cloud Dedicated for Azure documentation.