Microsoft is today rolling out SQL Server 2022 to the masses. The latest full version of the relational database management system is now reaching general availability. In an announcement post, Microsoft explains this version of SQL Server is the most connected to the Azure cloud platform ever.
With cloud integration running deep, SQL Server 2022 provides more security and accessibility:
“SQL Server 2022 is a core element of the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform. The platform seamlessly integrates operational databases, analytics, and data governance. This enables customers to adapt in real-time, add layers of intelligence to their applications, unlock fast and predictive insights, and govern their data—wherever it resides.”
This release is all about that bigger connection with Microsoft Azure. According to the company, integrations from SQL Server 2022 to the cloud platform include Microsoft Purview and Azure Synapse.
With these tools, users can do more with their data, such as increase governance and scale while also getting more insights and prediction access.
SQL Server 2022 also taps directly into managed disaster recovery (DR) through the Azure SQL Managed Instance.
Azure Integrations
“Link feature for Azure SQL Managed Instance: To ensure uptime, SQL Server 2022 is fully integrated with the new link feature in Azure SQL Managed Instance. With this new capability, you benefit from a PaaS environment applied to disaster recovery—allowing you to spend less time on setup and management even when compared to an IaaS environment.
Azure Synapse Link for SQL: Azure Synapse Link for SQL Server 2022 provides automatic change feeds to capture the changes within SQL Server and feed them into Azure Synapse Analytics. Synapse Link provides near real-time analysis and hybrid transactional and analytical processing with minimal impact on operational systems.
Microsoft Purview integration: are excited to highlight that SQL Server is also integrated with Microsoft Purview for greater data discovery, allowing you to break down data silos:
- Automatically scan your on-premises SQL Server for free to capture metadata.
- Classify your data using built-in and custom classifiers and Microsoft Information Protection sensitivity labels.
- Set up and control specific access rights to SQL Server.
Additional Azure-connected features: SQL Server 2022 has a number of additional Azure-enabled features. A simple connection to the Azure Arc agent, part of the default setup process for SQL Server 2022, enables additional capabilities, including:
- Single view of all SQL Servers deployed on-premises, in Azure and other clouds.
- Fully automated technical assessment for SQL Server at no additional cost, to help you optimize your database's performance, scalability, security, business continuity, and more.
- Protect your on-premises data using Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
- Secure identities with Single Sign-On and Azure Active Directory.
- Pay-as-you-go billing.”
SQL Server Improvements
Elsewhere, Microsoft is pointing to the better performance thanks to the engine that focuses on “do no harm, no app changes required”. All performance enhancements are automatic and require no coding by the user. Microsoft says SQL Server 2022 is number 1 in OLTP performance, Non-Clustered DW performance according to the Transaction Processing Performance Society.
The company also points to the security of the new platform, which builds on 10 years of being the most secure database. Microsoft says a new Ledger in SQL Server creates a track record of data modifications and provides tamper-evidence when needed.
Tip of the day: To prevent attackers from capturing your password, Secure Sign-in asks the user to perform a physical action that activates the sign-in screen. In some cases, this is a dedicated “Windows Security” button, but the most common case in Windows is the Ctrl+Alt Del hotkey. In our tutorial, we show you how to activate this feature.
