LEARN. PRACTICE. GROW.Concept and mechanism
The Azure SQL family offers options with different management boundaries. Azure SQL Database is database-focused PaaS. Managed Instance adds instance-level capabilities and high SQL Server compatibility while retaining service-managed platform operation. SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines provides engine and OS control with additional maintenance responsibilities. The name SQL does not mean all engines or options have identical capabilities. PostgreSQL and MySQL have their own managed Azure services; retaining an engine family still requires validating versions, extensions, drivers, and application behavior.
Guided application
In a fictional migration, inventory jobs, integrations, authentication, and host-installed components before committing schedule and budget. A mandatory OS agent can rule out the initially selected PaaS option. SQL Agent and other instance dependencies also need specific assessment. Compare compatibility, change effort, operations, recovery, and total cost. Even with managed backups, the team defines requirements and demonstrates recovery of the required service. Handover should identify permissions, monitoring, capacity, contacts, and incident procedures. Do not turn a lower-maintenance commercial proposal into a claim that the team no longer has operational work.
A private subnet does not permit installing OS agents on SQL Managed Instance.
Common pitfalls
Compatibility as total equivalence; logical server as VM; same SQL as same engine; PaaS as zero operations.
Related topics: Data, workloads, and responsibilities · Relational modeling, integrity, and SQL · Non-relational storage and access
Confirm dependencies and operational cost before committing the architecture.
Reference: Azure SQL Database Managed Instance and virtual machines · DP-900 skills measured 2026-07-21