Unleashing the Power of Azure Arc: Enabling SQL Server Across Hybrid Environments

In this tutorial, I want to explore how to Arc enable your SQL servers and bring the power of Azure to your non-Azure servers.

If you are unfamiliar with Azure Arc, you can check out my blog post “What is Azure Arc” which will explain more about the feature.

Benefits of Arc-enabling your SQL Servers

By installing Azure Arc on your SQL servers you can control and govern your entire data estate from Azure.

Once you have the Arc agent installed on your SQL server you can enable Microsoft Purview and start to use it to:

• Gain visibility into data across your organisation
• Safeguard and manage sensitive data across it’s lifecycle
• Manage critical data risks and regulatory requirements

You can view your Arc-enabled servers within the Azure portal, meaning you can view all your on-prem, Azure and Edge data servers in one place. You will also have access to tag your Arc-enabled servers just like you do with your Azure resources.

You also have access to a best practice assessment, that will evaluate your SQL server from several angles, security, compliance, performance, scalability and much more.

From an asset management and licensing point of view, you can view that from within the Azure portal as well, review your SQL server…