Transforming Hybrid Cloud Strategies with Azure Arc and Arc Enabled SQL Server

Introduction to Azure Arc

Microsoft Azure Arc provides a unified control plane to manage and operate hybrid resources as native Azure resources. It extends Azure's management capabilities to on-premises, multi-cloud, and edge environments, enabling consistent operations and governance.

Azure Arc-enabled infrastructure allows you to connect and operate hybrid resources, while Azure Arc-enabled services enable the deployment and running of Azure services outside of Azure, all while maintaining central management from Azure.

Key environments supported include:

• ☁️ Multi-cloud
• ?️ Datacenter
• ➡️ Edge

Benefits of Azure Arc

Azure Arc acts as a bridge, extending the Azure platform to manage and secure resources across diverse environments. It offers a unified management experience, leading to:

• ⚙️ Unified Management
• ? Flexibility and Scalability
• ? Support for Modern Applications
• ? Improved DevOps & Automation
• ? Cost Efficiency
• ?️ Enhanced Security and Compliance

Manage SQL Server Anywhere with Azure Arc

Bring cloud manageability to SQL Server instances, whether they are on-premises, in Azure, or in other clouds. Azure Arc allows you to manage, govern, and protect your SQL Server estate from Azure.

Key Capabilities:

• ? Manage all SQL estate with better observability: Gain a single view of all SQL Servers, capture key performance metrics, and receive actionable insights with automated best practices.
• ?️ Enhance business continuity: Manage Availability Groups, track health status, and leverage Microsoft Defender for enhanced protection.
• ? Govern and protect all SQL estate using Azure: Protect data using Microsoft Defender for Cloud, enhance security with Extended Security Updates, and gain central insights with Microsoft Purview. Unified sign-on is available with Microsoft Entra ID.

Azure Pay-As-You-Go is enabled by Azure Arc for SQL Server, simplifying onboarding.

Available Azure Services for Arc-enabled SQL Servers:

• ? Detailed Inventory
• ? Best Practices Assessment
• ⚙️ Auto Patching & Auto Updates
• ? Database Observability

Additional services include:

• ?️ Microsoft Defender for SQL Servers
• ? Microsoft Sentinel
• ? Azure Monitor
• ? Log Analytics
• ? Purview Integration
• ? Synapse Link
• ? Extended Security Updates for Windows Server and SQL Server

Other management features include tagging, management groups, activity logs, and RBAC.

*Note: Compute, log ingestion, and storage costs are not included.

How-to: Steps for Azure Arc SQL Server

The process involves connecting your SQL Server instances to Azure Arc. This can be done for Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) licenses or Paid instances.

Additionally, connect to Azure Lighthouse for expanded capabilities.

The Azure portal provides detailed steps for connecting Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server, allowing selection of subscription, resource group, region, operating system, and license type (PAYG, Paid, LicenseOnly).

Cloud Migration Factory (CMF) and Azure Arc

The Cloud Migration Factory (CMF) is a program designed to jumpstart Azure journeys for Microsoft Cloud Workloads. It follows a high-level execution flow:

Nomination Applications & Services ➡️ Triage ➡️ Pre-reqs ➡️ Migrate ➡️ Validate ➡️ Migrated Applications & Services

This process is managed within the CSU Migration Factory, operating in 2-to-4-week sprints for waves of applications or services.

CMF Scope for Azure Arc (Windows & SQL Server):

In Scope:

• Arc-enabled servers: Onboarding existing Windows Server 2012 and above (physical or virtual) from on-premises (Hyper-V, VMWare), other cloud environments (AWS, GCP), and Windows Server Management through Azure Arc.
• Arc-enabled SQL Servers: A two-step process involving onboarding the server and then the SQL Server 2012 and above instances. Windows and Linux supported versions are included.
• Extended Security Updates (ESUs) through Azure Arc: For Windows Server 2012/R2 and SQL Server 2012/2014.

Note: Enrollment to ESUs can be done up to three years after End of Support (EOS) dates. Windows Server 2012/R2 EOS: Oct 10, 2023. SQL Server 2012 EOS: July 12, 2022. SQL Server 2014 EOS: July 9, 2024.

Out of CMF Scope:

• Enabling Azure services post onboarding (e.g., Azure Monitor, Azure Update Manager).
• Change request process, including internal communication.
• Any changes in the source or target environments after handover.
• Application/Services related configurations and testing (Pre and Post Migration).
• Configuring Backups, Monitoring & Alerts (Pre & Post Migration).
• High availability setup, configuration.
• Disaster Recovery setup, configuration.
• Any other migration path not listed in the Scope.

Microsoft Partner Program: Solutions Partner Designations

Microsoft offers paths for partners to attain Solutions Partner designations for Azure solution areas, including Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Attaining a Designation:

The partner capability score is used, demonstrating knowledge, skills, and experience across performance, skilling, and customer success. Partners qualify on either an SMB or Enterprise path and must reach 70 points, with a minimum of 70 points required in each subcategory. A total of 100 points are possible across categories.

Requirements for Solutions Partner Designations:

Points are earned through net customer adds, certifications, exams, usage growth, and successful solution deployments. Partners are categorized into SMB or Enterprise paths based on Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) and customer segment.

*On the Enterprise path, partners must have prerequisite certifications before points are earned for scoring certifications. No points are earned for prerequisite certifications.

** On the SMB path, partners earn points for the two prerequisite certifications. Prerequisites must still be met in order to earn points for scoring certifications.

All dates and requirements subject to change.

Benefits for Solutions Partner Designations:

Benefits are consistent across all paths and include go-to-market services, TP&D advisory hours, and technical support incidents. Unique product benefits are also provided for each designation.

*Max stacking of 5 specializations across all Azure specializations and expert programs.

Microsoft Incentives and Investment for Partners

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and organization to collaborate with its partner ecosystem to accelerate global digital transformation. Partner incentives are designed to reward participation and extend beyond transactions.

Azure Incentives Stages:

• Stage 1: Listen and Consult
• Stage 2: Inspire and Design
• Stage 3: Empower and Achieve
• Stage 4: Realize Value
• Stage 5: Manage and Optimize

Azure incentives offer multiple ways for partners to earn rewards on customer Azure consumption, categorized by engagements and customer segments (Small corporate and SMB customers).

Specific programs and incentives are listed for each stage, covering areas like migration, analytics, AI, and application modernization.

Next Steps

Admins can sign in to Partner Center to track their organization's progress towards a Solutions Partner designation and view associated benefits.

Explore the Training Gallery and Microsoft docs to learn about the requirements for attaining a Solutions Partner designation.

For more information, visit the Microsoft partner website and the Microsoft partner blog.

Where to Start From?

Identify current customers with SQL per core with Active SA, which can be enabled for Azure Arc.

For new requests for SQL per core, they can be enabled by Azure Arc PAYG.

These can lead to migrated applications and services in Azure (or Arc Connected), managed through CMF or ALSO PS.

This path makes partners eligible for Microsoft Investments and Incentives, following the stages from Listen and Consult to Manage and Optimize.

Contact your Account Manager for guidance.

Thank You

Please share your questions or concerns. Thank you!