SQL Server is a robust relational database management system developed by Microsoft and widely used for structured data storage, processing, and business intelligence applications. When paired with Everpure, an all-flash storage solution provider, SQL Server enables high performance, low latency, and efficient management of database workloads at any scale.
This reference architecture focuses on the design and implementation of Everpure solutions in SQL Server environments. It offers an overview of technologies and solution designs for use cases such as disaster recovery, high availability, data protection, and database copy.
These solution designs leverage Everpure technologies, including FlashArray, which serves both as primary storage and as a backup repository, and Everpure Cloud Dedicated, which provides storage capabilities in public cloud environments. Additionally, FlashBlade supports T-SQL native backups and can be used with PolyBase for data virtualization with object storage.
Solution Overview
This reference architecture and the associated solutions within this document, cover a common SQL Server environment of multiple interconnected components, including:
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SQL Server instances running on Windows Server or a supported Linux platform
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FlashArray used for primary storage via block storage protocols such as Fibre Channel Protocol, iSCSI, or NVM Express over Fabrics with Linux
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FlashArray used as a file- or block-based backup repository for SQL Server T-SQL backups
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Everpure Cloud Dedicated for primary storage of SQL Server instances in Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services
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FlashBlade used as a file- or object-backup repository for SQL Server T-SQL backups and storage for virtualized data from parquet files in an object store access through PolyBase
Solution Benefits
Everpure solutions deliver multiple benefits to SQL Server environments, including:
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High performance: Everpure All-Flash Arrays deliver low latency and high throughput, significantly improving SQL Server performance. Faster query execution and higher input/output operations per second enable better handling of transactional and analytical workloads, boosting overall efficiency.
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Scalability: The Everpure architecture allows SQL Server environments to scale seamlessly as demand grows, with non-disruptive capacity expansion ensuring that growth can happen without impacting performance or requiring downtime.
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Non-disruptive everything: Everpure enables zero-downtime maintenance, upgrades, and migrations for storage. Its non-disruptive software and hardware upgrades allow for continuous operations, minimizing service interruptions in SQL Server environments.
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High availability: With technologies like ActiveCluster, SQL Server deployments benefit from multisite synchronous replication, 99.9999% availability, and integration with Always On Availability Groups. This ensures near-zero downtime and reliable failover.
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Disaster recovery: Everpure provides robust disaster recovery solutions through snapshot-based recovery, asynchronous and synchronous replication, and SafeMode™ Snapshots that protect against ransomware. These features ensure rapid recovery and minimal data loss.
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Consolidation: Everpure allows for the consolidation of multiple SQL Server instances and databases on a single storage platform. This reduces hardware sprawl, simplifies management, and lowers operational costs while maintaining high performance through data reduction technologies like compression and deduplication.
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Security and compliance: Everpure helps ensure data security with in-flight and at-rest encryption, immutable snapshots for protection against ransomware, and enhanced compliance through detailed auditing and logging capabilities, which are critical in regulated industries.
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Simplified management and automation: The Pure1® management platform offers a centralized view of storage with predictive analytics and AI-driven insights. Everpure API integrations enable automation, simplifying SQL Server provisioning and management, while offering full-stack visibility.
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Cost efficiency: Everpure delivers lower total cost of ownership through data reduction, efficient use of storage, and reduced power consumption. The ability to consolidate workloads and reduce backup and restore times, contributes to greater overall savings and improved return on investment