How To Upgrade Azure SQL database from Standard Tier to Hyperscale Tier

Analysis for conversion Standard Tier to Hyperscale conversion

Below are the two approach-

1. Upgrade
2. Data migration

Upgrade

1. Upgrading involves changing the pricing tier of the existing database to Hyperscale.
2. This process is straightforward and can be done directly from the Azure portal
3. upgrading is the faster and simpler option, while migration is more complex but offers more flexibility and control.
4. The choice between upgrading and migrating depends on factors such as
5. the size and complexity of your database,
6. the performance requirements of your application,
7. budget and timeline constraints.
8. If have a relatively small and simple database with low performance requirements, upgrading may be sufficient.

Time Required

1. The time it takes to upgrade an Azure SQL database from Standard Tier to Hyperscale Tier depends on various factors, such as the size of the database, the performance of the underlying storage, and the amount of data that needs to be migrated.
2. upgrading an Azure SQL database from Standard to Hyperscale Tier is a relatively fast process that can be completed in minutes to a few hours.
3. the database may experience a brief interruption in service typically lasting only a few seconds or minutes, the database engine and storage are being migrated to the new Hyperscale architecture.
4. upgrade may be longer if there are any issues or errors during the upgrade process.
5. Need to review upgrade documentation and prerequisites, such as ensuring that your database is compatible with the Hyperscale architecture, and that you have a suitable backup and recovery plan in place.
6. If you have a large or critical database, it’s also advisable to test the upgrade process in a non-production environment before performing it in production to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Prerequisite to upgrade an Azure SQL database from Standard Tier to Hyperscale Tier

Prerequisites before upgrading an Azure SQL database from Standard Tier to Hyperscale Tier

1. Check compatibility: Verify that the database is compatible with Hyperscale Tier by checking its size, performance, and features.
2. Check storage requirements: Ensure that the storage requirements for Hyperscale Tier are met by checking the size and number of files in the database.
3. Check database objects: Ensure that all database objects, such as tables, indexes, and stored procedures, are compatible with Hyperscale Tier.
4. Check replication: Verify that replication is configured correctly and that all replicas are in sync.
5. Check permissions: Ensure that the user account performing the upgrade has the necessary permissions to upgrade the database.
6. Check backup and restore: Ensure that the database can be backed up and restored using the Hyperscale Tier service.
7. Check network connectivity: Ensure that the network connectivity between the Standard Tier and the Hyperscale Tier is stable and has enough bandwidth to support the migration.

Steps to Upgrade an Azure SQL database from Standard Tier to Hyperscale

Step 1: Check database compatibility

• Verify that the database is compatible with Hyperscale by running the Azure SQL Database Managed Instance prerequisites checker. This tool is available in the Azure portal under the “Tools” section of your SQL database.
• Review the compatibility report generated by the prerequisites checker and address any issues identified.

Step 2: Prepare for the upgrade

• Create a backup of your current database in Standard Tier. You can do this by navigating to the “Backup” section of the database’s configuration settings in the Azure portal and selecting “New Backup.”
• Make sure that you have sufficient storage available to accommodate the increased storage requirements of Hyperscale Tier.
• Check that you have the necessary permissions to perform the upgrade.

Step 3: Upgrade the database

• In the Azure portal, navigate to the “Scale up” section of your SQL database and select the “Hyperscale” option.
• Follow the prompts to complete the upgrade process. This will involve selecting the desired amount of storage and vCores for the Hyperscale database.
• Wait for the upgrade process to complete. This may take several hours, depending on the size of your database and the amount of data to be migrated.

Step 4: Verify database connectivity

• Connect to your new Hyperscale database using SQL Server Management Studio or other database management tool.
• Test connectivity by executing a query against the database and verifying that you receive a response.
• Test your application connectivity by performing a test run of your application against the new database.

Step 5: Optimize performance

• Adjust the compute and storage resources for your new Hyperscale database to optimize performance. You can do this by adjusting the number of vCores and the amount of storage allocated to the database in the Azure portal.
• Enable automatic tuning for your new Hyperscale database to allow the database to optimize performance on its own. You can enable automatic tuning in the Azure portal by navigating to the database’s configuration settings and selecting the “Automatic tuning” option.
• Configure backups and recovery options for your new Hyperscale database. You can configure backups and recovery options in the Azure portal by navigating to the database’s configuration settings and selecting the “Backup” option.

Step 6: Monitor database performance

• Use Azure Monitor to monitor the performance of your Hyperscale database. You can do this by creating performance metrics and alerts in Azure Monitor.
• Review the performance metrics and alerts generated by Azure Monitor to identify any potential performance issues. If you identify any performance issues, adjust the compute and storage resources allocated to the database as necessary.

Post Upgrade Steps:

1.Verify the database:

• Verify that the database has been successfully upgraded to Hyperscale Tier.
• Check the status of the database to ensure that it is online and available for use.

2.Monitor performance:

• Monitor the performance of the database to ensure that it is meeting the expected performance standards.
• Use Azure Monitor to monitor the database and identify any performance bottlenecks or issues.

3.Update connection strings:

• Update any connection strings that reference the database to use the new server and database name.

4.Test applications:

• Test all applications that use the database to ensure that they are functioning correctly.
• Verify that all data is accessible and that there are no data inconsistencies.

5.Review security:

• Review the security configuration of the database to ensure that it is still meeting your security requirements.
• Ensure that all user accounts have the appropriate permissions to access the database.

6.Monitor backups:

• Monitor the backup process to ensure that backups are occurring correctly and that they can be restored if needed.
• Test the backup and restore process to ensure that it is working correctly.

7.Review costs:

• Review the cost of the Hyperscale Tier to ensure that it is still within your budget.

Consider adjusting the size or configuration of the database to optimize costs if necessary