🗄️ Deploying SQL Database in Azure

A hands-on lab using Microsoft Azure to create and configure a cloud-based SQL Database.

🧠 Overview

In this guide, you’ll deploy a fully managed SQL Database in Azure. You’ll create a resource group, configure a logical SQL server, set up a database, configure networking/firewall rules, and test connectivity from a client machine.

Environments and Technologies to use

• Microsoft Azure (Portal + CLI optional)
• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Azure Data Studio
• Azure CLI (optional, for automation)

Operating Systems to use

• macOS Sonoma (if you own MacBook Air M1 or M2; version doesn’t matter)
• Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home/Pro (if you own either of them)

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🔧 Part 1: Create a Resource Group

1. Go to Azure Portal
2. In the left menu, click Resource Groups > Create
3. Set:
   • Name: SQL-LaB
   • Region: Closest to your location (e.g., East US)
4. Click Review + Create > Create

📌 Note: Always organize resources inside groups—it makes cleanup and management easier.

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🌐 Part 2: Create a Logical SQL Server

1. In the Azure search bar, type SQL Server > Create
2. Fill in:
   • Name: sqllab-server
   • Region: Same as your resource group
   • Admin login: labadmin
   • Password: SQLlab123!
   • Choose resource group: SQL-Lab
3. Click Review + Create > Create

📌 Note: This “server” is logical, not physical—it hosts your SQL databases.

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🗄️ Part 3: Create the SQL Database

1. In the Azure Portal, search for SQL Databases > Create
2. Fill in:

• Database name: DemoSQLDB
• Server: Select sqllab-server
• Compute + Storage: Choose Basic (good for labs/testing)
• Networking: Keep defaults for now

3. Click Review + Create > Create

📌 Note: Start small with compute/storage—you can scale up later.

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🔒 Part 4: Configure Firewall & Networking

1. Go to SQL-Lab > DemoSQLDB > Networking
2. Under Firewall rules:
   • Click + Add client IP (this adds your computer’s current IP)
   • Save changes
3. Ensure “Allow Azure services to access server” is ON

📌 Note: If you switch networks (home → coffee shop), you’ll need to update firewall rules.

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🖥️ Part 5: Connect via SSMS or Azure Data Studio

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Azure Data Studio
2. Server name: sqllab-server.database.windows.net
3. Authentication: SQL Server Authentication
   • Login: labadmin
   • Password: SQLlab123!
4. Click Connect

✅ If successful, you’re connected to your cloud SQL Database.

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🧪 Part 6: Run a Test Query at SQL

CREATE TABLE Products ( ProductID INT PRIMARY KEY IDENTITY, Name NVARCHAR(100), Price DECIMAL(10,2) );

INSERT INTO Products (Name, Price) VALUES ('Azure Coffee Mug', 9.99), ('Cloud Hoodie', 29.95);

SELECT * FROM Products;

📌 Note: You’ve just created and queried your first Azure-hosted table!

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💻 Part 7 (Optional - Use Bash): Deploy via Azure CLI

Create a resource group

az group create --name SQL-Lab --location eastus

Create a logical SQL server

az sql server create \ --name sqllab-server \ --resource-group SQL-Lab \ --location eastus \ --admin-user labadmin \ --admin-password SQLlab123!

Create the SQL database

az sql db create \ --resource-group SQL-Lab \ --server sqllab-server \ --name DemoSQLDB \ --service-objective Basic

📌 Note: Azure CLI is great for automation and repeatable deployments.

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✅ Conclusion

You’ve successfully:

• Created a resource group and logical SQL server
• Deployed a cloud-based SQL Database
• Configured firewall rules for client access
• Connected via SSMS/Azure Data Studio
• Created and queried your first table

🧠 Want to Learn More?

• Azure SQL Database Docs

• Azure CLI SQL Commands

• Azure Data Studio