Getting Started in a SQL Server 2017 VM in Azure

SQL Server 2017
You say you're ready to dip your toes in the Azure ocean? Come on in, the water's fine! Oh, you want to really dip your toes. You're starting with Virtual Machines? OK. I guess. It's not where the real excitement is. You should be checking out Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Data Warehouse and CosmosDb and... VMs. OK. Let's get you started. Set up Azure First Microsoft maintains seriously good documentation on how to work with Azure. I'm honestly blown away by how much information there is and how well written it is. In fact, everything I'm about to tell you is documented better, here. However, I'm going to give you the TLDR version. First, you have to have an Azure account. If you have an MSDN license, that…
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Add an Instance to SQL Server Azure Virtual Machine

Azure, SQL Server
How do you add an instance to your local SQL Server installation? You run the executable that you probably downloaded from MSDN or maybe from a CD. Works the same on an Azure VM right? Sure... but wait. Do I have to go and download the software to my VM instance? Let's assume that you're running one of the VMs from the Gallery, then, the answer is "No." Just navigate to C:\SQLServer_12.0_Full. There you'll find the full installation setup for SQL Server. And you're off and running... Until you realize that you don't have the Product Key for this thing. What happens when you get to this screen: You can look around all you want and you won't see a product key anywhere. At least no where that I could…
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New Windows Azure Virtual Labs

Azure
Getting started with new technologies can be a pain. That makes all the new labs that Microsoft just posted extremely useful. There are several that are going to be immediately applicable to your average data pro; Introduction to SQL Database, Connecting a PaaS Application to an IaaS Application with a Virtual Network, Web Sites and Virtual Machines using ASP.NET and SQL Server. The beauty of these things is that you don't need to do anything to get started. These are virtual machines hosted out on the cloud that you get access to. Further, you'll get a lesson plan to follow so you're not left floundering. You will have to either connect your MSDN account to set up an Azure account or, if you don't have MSDN, sign up for an Azure…
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Azure Capabilities Expand

Azure
But then, the capabilities in Azure are always expanding. Here's the new stuff that was just released in a blog post on Scott Guthrie's blog. I'm interested in seeing how that automatic scaling on VMs works with SQL Server (if it works with SQL Server). Good times. And yeah, the cache is really the big news, but I'm still a relational storage monster. Can't help it. Remember, if you want to learn Azure, you can link your MSDN subscription with an Azure account. Go here for the details.
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Azure Changes, While I’m Working

Azure
My laptop is out for repair. I'm working currently on a Surface Pro instead. It's spurred me to do something I've been meaning to do anyway. I've started setting up a full demo & testing VM on Azure. I already had the VM up and running (it takes 5 minutes for crying out loud), but I hadn't bothered setting up Red Gate software on it and getting it fully prepped to support my work, demos, or whatever else I might need. But, I finally did. It's working out surprisingly well. I just have to remember to shut the silly thing down when I'm done with it or it does start to bite into my MSDN credit. Anyway... I was working on the VM for a big chunk of the day…
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Getting Started With SQL Server 2014 the Easy Way

Azure, PASS
You know you want to at least take a look at the new Client Technology Preview (CTP) of SQL Server 2014. I don't blame you either. I want to spend hours swimming through it too. But, you're thinking to yourself, "Heck, I'd have to download the silly thing, provision a new VM, walk through the install... Nah. Too much work." I don't blame you. I found myself on the road the day the software was released, so I was going to attempt to do all that work on a hotel wireless system. In short, I was going to have to wait, no options. Or were there? Actually, there is a much easier option. Azure Virtual Machines. And no, it's not that I can simply get a Windows Azure VM ready to go…
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