Understanding Hybrid SQL Server & Azure Synapse Integration Advantages

With the rapidly advancing technologies, it has now become a concern for the database administrators to manage large databases and further get precise analytics of the data. Now, for the benefit of users and to resolve the issue effectively, let’s take a look at how hybrid SQL Server and applications like Azure Synapse can help with precise analytics and handling large datasets. 

With the help of this write-up, we will further learn the benefits of Azure hybrid connection SQL Server and how it can help database administrators. But, before discussing methods and other benefits, we will first understand what Azure Synapse is and how it is beneficial with SQL Server.

What is Hybrid SQL Server Azure Synapse Connectivity? 

The hybrid Azure connection with SQL Server allows users to efficiently use and benefit from different Azure applications, such as Synapse, App Services, or functions. The Azure hybrid connection SQL Server allows users to connect an on-premise server with the cloud without exposing the data over the internet. 

This connection is established with the help of the Hybrid Connection Manager (HCM), and further, the connection is secured over port 443(HTTPS) to Azure. With this connection, it becomes seamless for the applications in Azure to communicate with SQL Server database. 

Let’s now take a look at the benefits of this integration. 

Hybrid SQL Server Connection to Azure Synapse – Benefits

Here are the benefits of connecting SQL Server with Azure Synapse with SQL Server.

• One of the major benefits of this integration is the balanced workload and performance efficiency. On one hand, where the SQL Server is responsible for efficiently managing the transactional operation, Azure Synapse helps with dealing with reporting and analytics of the database. 
• Another benefit of this integration is the scalability of the database as required. For analytical purposes, the database requires space, and with Azure Synapse, it becomes easy to manage the database scalability as required. 
• With the help of Azure Synapse with SQL Server, it becomes much easier to get real-time analytics. Applications and tools like Power BI allow the database administrators to effectively generate dashboards and reports of SQL datasets.
• When an SQL Server database is connected to Azure Synapse, it allows users to benefit from the pay-as-you-use protocol. This means users or organizations only have to pay when they are using analytics. 

These are a few of the benefits of hybrid SQL Server to Azure Synapse connectivity. Let’s now take a look at the steps that will help with the hybrid SQL Server to Azure Synapse integration. 

Steps for Azure Hybrid Connection SQL Server – All Steps Explained

We will now learn the steps that will help with the SQL Server to Azure Synapse integration for better report generation and analytics. Before jumping to the technicalities, let’s first understand the prerequisites of the method. 

Prerequisites For Azure Hybrid SQL Connection

• SQL Server version 2022 or later versions, both on-premises and Azure SQL Managed instance, can be used. 
• Active Azure Synapse Workspace for Analytics. 
• Required Crucial Permissions, such as Admin Privileges to SQL Server and Contribute Role for Azure Synapse.
• To connect SQL Server to Azure, a networking setup is required. 

Steps to Connect Hybrid SQL Server to Azure Connectivity

1. Open and connect to SQL Server Management Studio. 
2. Next, use the given query to enable change tracking in the SQL Server on a database level.
   ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName
   SET CHANGE_TRACKING = ON
   (CHANGE_RETENTION = 2 DAYS, AUTO_CLEANUP = ON);
3. Then, connect to the Azure Portal to set up for Azure Synapse Workspace. 
4. Choose an existing Azure Synapse Workspace, or create a new one as per the requirement. 
5. As a linked storage, configure with Data Lake Storage(ADLS).
6. Next, Open the Synapse studio, and find Manage and then go to Linked Services.
7. For SQL Server, add a new linked service. And further provide the following data:
   1. Server Name
   2. Name of the Database
   3. SQL or Azure Authentication
   4. Method of connection
8. After these details are provided, the integration of hybrid SQL Server and Azure Synapse Workspace is simplified. 
9. In Azure Synapse Studio, click on Synapse Link, and then find New Link Connection option. 
10. In the Source option, select SQL Server. Choose the database and tables where change tracking is enabled. 
11. Confirm the entire process and proceed with replication.
12. After the Azure hybrid connection SQL Server is done, run a query in the Azure Synapse workspace to ensure that the data is working fine and the process has been completed successfully.
13. Next, after a successful connectivity, monitor the SQL Server performance to ensure no data has been impacted and the operations are working efficiently. 

These steps will allow the users to integrate SQL Server with Azure Synapse Workspace and further generate reports and analytics in a much secure and efficient way. Now, as we have already seen that the method is quite complex for users who aren’t very technically aware. Therefore, we will now try to use a more efficient solution easier and efficient for SQL Server to Azure migration. 

Advanced Solution to Connect SQL Server With Azure Synapse Workspace

To make the hybrid SQL Server process easier for all users, ensuring complete data integrity, we will now use a professional solution. The software we suggest is the SysTools SQL Server Migration Tool. This utility is capable of seamless Azure hybrid connection SQL Server.

Here are the steps that will help with the seamless migration of SQL Server and further with the integration of Azure Synapse Workspace. 

1. Install and run the tool. Click on the Open Button to add the database files.
2. Choose Online or Offline Mode to add the SQL Server database. Fill in the required credentials in the specified spaces. Select the desired database.
3. A scan will take place. Preview the scanned files in the software panel. Click on the Export Button to connect a hybrid SQL Server to Azure Synapse.
4. Select Azure SQL Server as the export option. Read the prerequisites, and add the required authentication details.
5. Click on the connect button for Azure hybrid connection SQL Server.
6. Select the destination server and then choose the desired SQL Server database objects to be exported.
7. Lastly, click on the migrate button to finally connect the SQL Server database to Azure Synapse Workspace.

With these steps, users can easily connect the database from on-premise to Azure SQL for enhanced report generation and analytics. 

Conclusion

With the help of this technical write-up, we have learned thoroughly about the hybrid SQL Server to Azure Synapse Workspace. We have also discussed the benefits and advantages of proceeding with this integration and how it can be done in a convenient way. Furthermore, for the users who aren’t much technically aware, we have also suggested an easy and secure way to allow them to connect and integrate more easily and safely.