The Advantages of Running SQL Server on AWS

If you’re running SQL Server within an on-premises data center, you’re probably facing many obstacles and added costs that can be easily avoided. An on-premises data center requires you to keep up with changing technology, adhere to data compliance rules, and divert focus away from your core business model. But you can eliminate all these problems by running SQL Server on AWS, and by engaging an AWS Premier Consulting Partner to optimize it for you. 

There Are Two Ways of Running SQL Server on AWS

There are two ways of running SQL Server on AWS. The first is using Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS), which is a cloud-based web service that makes it easy to set up, run, and scale a relational database. The second is Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), another web-based service that also offers scalable cloud computing. AWS supports all four editions of SQL Server: Express, Web, Standard, and Enterprise, as well as multiple versions of each edition. Best of all, running SQL Server on AWS delivers a host of advantages that your on-premises data center simply can’t provide. And with the guidance of an experienced AWS managed services and consulting partner, you can make a smooth migration to AWS that results in a flawless SQL Server cloud setup. Generally speaking, if you want more control over the customization of the database, it’s optimal to run your SQL Server on EC2, but if you want to use a managed service that does most of the heavy lifting for you, running SQL server on AWS using RDS is the optimal choice. Some of the key advantages are listed below.

The Advantages of Running SQL Server on AWS Using RDS

Running SQL on AWS is an optimal choice because it’s secure, reliable, and cost-effective, which is what makes it so popular. And, RDS is a good choice if you don’t want to do daily database management, as you can allow Amazon to cover it.  Here are some of the benefits of running SQL Server on RDS.

• Scalability: Running SQL Server on RDS offers great amounts of scalability. With Amazon RDS, you can deploy multiple editions of SQL Server in minutes with cost-efficient and re-sizable compute capacity. 
• Time to focus on your core business: Amazon RDS manages time-consuming database administration tasks including provisioning, automated backups, software patching, monitoring, and hardware scaling, enabling you to have more time to focus on application development and other key business initiatives.

AWS Runs SQL Server Better than MS Azure Can

The advantages of running SQL Server on AWS are so substantial they’re quantitative, becoming apparent when subjected to testing. DB Best is a software development and IT services company that helps firms manage data types for applications run on traditional data centers or on the Cloud. They performed benchmark testing on SQL Server deployed on virtual, physical, and cloud environments. The testing also compared memory, vCPU, and storage performance for SQL Server run on AWS versus SQL server run on Microsoft Azure.

DB Best found that SQL Server ran on AWS performed better than when it was run on MS Azure. It achieved far more transactions per minute, with a price-to-performance ratio twice as good as Azure's. These are amazing findings when you consider that both SQL Server and Azure were developed by Microsoft! This makes the best choice for running SQL Server on the cloud clear.

Getting Started

If you’re ready to run SQL Server on AWS, migrate with confidence by getting help from Mission: an experienced AWS managed services and Premier consulting partner. Not only will our consulting help you have a seamless, trouble-free migration, but your resulting SQL Server environment on AWS will be optimized, high-performing, and low-cost. And if you’d rather spend your time and resources on your business goals rather than on managing SQL Server on AWS, Mission can completely manage the environment for you too. You don’t have to deal with the extra costs and trouble of running SQL Server on an on-premises data center and longer. The sooner you migrate to the AWS cloud with Mission, the faster you can start reaping its many benefits.

FAQ

1. How do the security features of running SQL Server on AWS compare to those offered in an on-premises setup?

The security features of running SQL Server on AWS offer robust data protection, access control, and compliance with industry standards, potentially offering more comprehensive security measures than typical on-premises setups due to AWS's extensive security infrastructure.

1. What are the specific steps or best practices for migrating existing SQL Server databases to AWS without significant downtime?

Migrating SQL Server databases to AWS with minimal downtime typically involves planning, testing, and using AWS migration tools like Database Migration Service (DMS) to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions to operations.

1. How does AWS support different SQL Server versions and ensure compatibility with legacy applications?
2. AWS supports multiple versions of SQL Server, providing flexibility and ensuring compatibility with various applications, including legacy systems. AWS regularly updates its services to support new and existing SQL Server versions, helping businesses maintain operational continuity.