1. Azure, PowerShell, and SQL Server Virtual Machines
Rob Volk

3. Abstract - Original
While the web portal makes it easy to deploy SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, there are a number of benefits to using PowerShell to do the job.
This session will introduce Azure PowerShell command-lets and how to create a basic Azure infrastructure to support a SQL Server VM.
We'll include the Azure Resource Manager, how to use ARM VM templates and Custom Script Extension, and how users can modify an existing Azure Gallery template.
Desired State Configuration (DSC) will be covered to complete the Azure Powershell automation toolkit, allowing attendees to automate the deployment of dozens or more SQL Server virtual machines.
Finally, we will configure Availability Groups and explain their eccentricities in the Azure environment as well as how to make them work effectively.

4. Abstract – Since
While the web portal makes it easy to deploy SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, there are a number of benefits to using PowerShell to do the job. Web Portal is much nicer now.
This session will introduce Azure PowerShell command-lets and how to create a basic Azure infrastructure to support a SQL Server VM.
We'll include the Azure Resource Manager, how to use ARM VM templates and Custom Script Extension, and how users can modify an existing Azure Gallery template. We’ll demo this on the portal and PowerShell.
Desired State Configuration (DSC) will be covered to complete the Azure Powershell automation toolkit, allowing attendees to automate the deployment of dozens or more SQL Server virtual machines.
Finally, we will configure Availability Groups and explain their eccentricities in the Azure environment as well as how to make them work effectively. Load Balancer configuration.

5. What We'll Cover Why Azure? Why VMs? Azure Portal vs. PowerShell
Resource Manager Templates

6. Why Azure? Cloud (Virtual Data Center) No hardware dependencies
Geographical replication/availability
Easy scalability for highly variable load
- Dependent on Microsoft

7. Why VMs? Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
VM image can be deployed as package
Can include custom features, retain full control
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Some feature restrictions
Updated/changed continuously
Regulatory & compliance levels (less likely today)

8. Azure Portal Web based management and deployment
Deployment of hundreds of VMs or services cumbersome
Manual (Runbooks can do automation)

9. Azure PowerShell Full scripting support Easier for large deployments
Parameters, automation
Easier for large deployments

10. Azure Resource Manager
Better deployment model, more features
Can use templates for VM config
Huge library of predefined templates

11. Desired State Configuration (DSC)
Good for non-SQL installs (DC, Web, basic OS)
SQL DSC tricky/incomplete
Mike Fal
Azure DSC
us/documentation/articles/automation-dsc-overview/
It has improved, it will continue to improve…

12. Other Quirks Disk arrangement Network Load Balancer
VHDs on spinning disks (Standard)
VHDs on SSDs (Premium)
Striping of disks via Storage Spaces
Network Load Balancer
Public IP allocation/reservation
Monitor costs (Executive Reports in Portal)

13. Resources Azure & Resource Manager (ARM) ARM Templates:
SQL Server ARM Templates:
Example:
Github:
PowerShell for Taming Azure:
Azure Runbooks:
Azure Dev Test Lab:

14. Resources (cont’d) Tips and Gotchas:
Configure ILB for Availability Group Listener
availability-groups-in-azure-arm/
15 Character naming limit for AD objects (Including Listeners):
template-deployment/
Pre-stage cluster objects in Active Directory:
Powershell and Desired State Configuration:
Mike Fal blog:
Virtual Academy: ?l=XgA5w0PgC_

15. Conclusion Azure VMs are viable for production
Costs are shifted over different resources (bandwidth, CPU use, data egress)
PowerShell is an excellent deployment model
Portal has been improving steadily
ARM templates recommended deployment
Azure improves and changes constantly

16. Contact
Blog:

17. Thanks!
Sponsors
Volunteers & Organizers
YOU!