Microsoft has recently announced that Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server on Windows is now generally available in the US Government, Virginia region. This new offering enables US government agencies to manage SQL Server instances outside of Azure from the Azure Government portal. At launch, key features available include onboarding SQL Server instances, viewing inventory of servers and databases, managing licensing and billing, and subscribing to Extended Security Updates.
While many features are available, there are some notable limitations; for example, failover cluster instances (FCI) and availability groups (AG) are not currently available. There are also limitations on licensing, and users can’t license physical cores with or without unlimited virtualization. Microsoft also said that associated SQL Server services, such as Analysis Services, Integration Services, and Reporting Services, are not yet available. The limitations mentioned apply to all US Government regions, not just the newly launched Virginia region.
Government agencies that want to use SQL Server in the Government cloud need to follow two steps. The first step is connecting hybrid machines with Azure Arc-enabled servers. The second step required connecting the SQL Server instance to an already Arc-enabled server. Following this process allows government users to view and manage their SQL Server resources as native Azure resources.
According to Microsoft, this represents a “major first step” for hybrid data management in Azure Government. The company’s plans include additional enhancements for service parity. To ensure that the solution meets users" needs, Microsoft asks you to provide feedback via the community forum or with Microsoft representatives.
The company didn’t give a specific timeline or roadmap for when the currently unavailable features will be implemented. The community forum may be a good place to stay up-to-date with any new improvements that come along.
Image via Depositphotos.com