Azure, PowerShell, and SQL

Server Virtual Machines

Rob Volk
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.
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. Well 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.
What We'll Cover
Why Azure? Why VMs?
Azure Portal vs. PowerShell
Resource Manager Templates
Why Azure?
Cloud (Virtual Data Center)
No hardware dependencies
Geographical replication/availability
Easy scalability for highly variable load
- Dependent on Microsoft
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)
Azure Portal
Web based management and deployment
Deployment of hundreds of VMs or services
cumbersome
Manual (Runbooks can do automation)
Azure PowerShell
Full scripting support
Parameters, automation
Easier for large deployments
Azure Resource Manager
Better deployment model, more features
Can use templates for VM config
Huge library of predefined templates
Desired State Configuration (DSC)
Good for non-SQL installs (DC, Web, basic OS)
SQL DSC tricky/incomplete
Mike Fal
http://www.mikefal.net/
Azure DSC
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-
us/documentation/articles/automation-dsc-overview/
It has improved, it will continue to improve
Other Quirks
Disk arrangement
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)
Resources
Azure & Resource Manager (ARM)

ARM Templates:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/resource-group-authoring-templates/
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/best-practices-resource-manager-design-templates/
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/resource-group-template-deploy/
SQL Server ARM Templates:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/templates/?term=sql+server
Example: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/templates/201-vm-sql-full-autobackup/
Github: https://github.com/Azure/azure-quickstart-templates/tree/master/201-vm-sql-full-autobackup
PowerShell for Taming Azure:
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/andrew/2016/04/20/powershell-for-taming-azure/
Azure Runbooks:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/azure-automation-runbook-management/
Azure Dev Test Lab:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/devtest-lab/
Resources (contd)
Tips and Gotchas:

Configure ILB for Availability Group Listener

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/igorpag/2016/01/25/configure-an-ilb-listener-for-sql-server-alwayson-
availability-groups-in-azure-arm/
15 Character naming limit for AD objects (Including Listeners):
http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2016/08/01/sql-server-unable-create-listener-alwayson-availability-group-azure-via-
template-deployment/
Pre-stage cluster objects in Active Directory:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn466519.aspx

Powershell and Desired State Configuration:

Mike Fal blog: http://www.mikefal.net/

Virtual Academy: https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/powershell-for-sql-data-professionals-
16532?l=XgA5w0PgC_8805121157
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
Contact
Email: sql_r@outlook.com
Twitter: @sql_r
Blog: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/robv/
Thanks!
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