Hybrid Cloud SQL Server: Connecting On-Premise SQL to Azure/AWS

As businesses adopt cloud strategies, many need to bridge on-premises SQL Server with cloud databases in Azure or AWS. A hybrid cloud SQL Server setup enables:

✅ Seamless data integration between cloud and on-prem
✅ Disaster recovery (DR) to the cloud
✅ Cloud analytics without full migration

This guide covers step-by-step methods to connect on-prem SQL Server to Azure SQL Database, AWS RDS, or EC2, along with best practices for security and performance.

1. Why Use a Hybrid Cloud SQL Server Setup?

Key Use Cases

✔ Cloud Bursting – Offload reporting/analytics to the cloud.
✔ Disaster Recovery (DR) – Replicate data to Azure/AWS for failover.
✔ Data Modernization – Keep transactional DBs on-prem while using cloud AI/ML.
✔ Cost Optimization – Use cloud for dev/test, on-prem for production.

Challenges to Address

  • Network latency between on-prem and cloud

  • Security & compliance (data encryption, firewall rules)

  • Data synchronization (real-time vs. batch)

2. Connecting On-Prem SQL Server to Azure

Option 1: Azure Hybrid Benefit + Azure Arc

Best for: Managing on-prem SQL Server from Azure Portal.

Steps:

  1. Enable Azure Hybrid Benefit (Save on licensing):

    • Use existing SQL Server licenses in Azure.

  2. Install Azure Arc for SQL Server:

    # Download and register on-prem SQL Server with Azure Arc
Register-AzConnectedMachine -ResourceGroupName "YourRG" -Name "OnPremSQLServer"

  3. Monitor & Manage via Azure Portal:

    • Apply patches, track performance, and set up alerts.

Option 2: Azure SQL Managed Instance (Near-Zero Downtime Migration)

Best for: Lift-and-shift with minimal app changes.

  • Uses Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) for continuous sync.

Steps:

  1. Set up a VPN/ExpressRoute between on-prem and Azure.

  2. Migrate using DMS:

    • Select "Azure SQL MI" as the target.

    • Enable Change Data Capture (CDC) for near-real-time sync.

Option 3: Azure Data Factory (ETL Pipeline)

Best for: Scheduled data movement (e.g., nightly syncs).

{
  "activities": [
    {
      "name": "CopyOnPremToAzureSQL",
      "type": "Copy",
      "inputs": [{"referenceName": "OnPremSQLTable"}],
      "outputs": [{"referenceName": "AzureSQLTable"}],
      "typeProperties": {
        "source": {"type": "SqlSource"},
        "sink": {"type": "SqlSink"}
      }
    }
  ]
}

3. Connecting On-Prem SQL Server to AWS

Option 1: AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)

Best for: Replicating data to Amazon RDS or EC2 SQL Server.

Steps:

  1. Set up a VPN/Direct Connect for secure connectivity.

  2. Configure DMS Replication Instance:

    • Source: On-prem SQL Server

    • Target: Amazon RDS for SQL Server

    • Use CDC (Change Data Capture) for real-time sync.

Option 2: SQL Server Log Shipping to AWS EC2

Best for: DR failover to AWS.

  1. Backup on-prem logs:

    BACKUP LOG [YourDB] TO DISK = '\\AWS-EC2\Backups\YourDB.trn'

  2. Restore on AWS EC2 SQL Server:

    RESTORE LOG [YourDB] FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\YourDB.trn' WITH RECOVERY;

Option 3: AWS Glue (ETL for Analytics)

Best for: Moving data to Amazon Redshift/S3 for analytics.

  • Set up a Glue Job to extract from SQL Server and load into S3.

4. Security Best Practices

Requirement

Azure Solution

AWS Solution

Encryption in Transit

TLS 1.2 + VPN/ExpressRoute

SSL + VPN/Direct Connect

Encryption at Rest

TDE + Azure Key Vault

AWS KMS

Firewall Rules

NSGs + Private Link

Security Groups + VPC

Authentication

Azure AD + SQL Auth

IAM Roles + SQL Auth

🔹 Always use Private Connections (VPN/ExpressRoute/Direct Connect) over public internet.

5. Performance Optimization

Reduce Latency

✔ Use caching (Redis/Azure Cache for Redis, Amazon ElastiCache).
✔ Compress data before transfer (e.g., BACKUP COMPRESSION).
✔ Schedule syncs during off-peak hours.

Monitor Hybrid Connections

  • Azure Monitor → Track SQL performance.

  • AWS CloudWatch → Monitor RDS/EC2 metrics.

6. Failover & Disaster Recovery (DR)

Strategy

Azure

AWS

Automated Failover

Azure SQL Auto-Failover Groups

Amazon RDS Multi-AZ

Manual Failover

Log Shipping to Azure SQL MI

DMS + EC2 SQL Server

Backup Retention

10-Year LTR (Long-Term Retention)

35-Day Automated Backups

7. Tools Comparison

Tool

Azure

AWS

Migration Service

Azure Database Migration Service (DMS)

AWS DMS

ETL/Orchestration

Azure Data Factory

AWS Glue

Monitoring

Azure Monitor + Log Analytics

CloudWatch + AWS DMS Console

8. Final Recommendations

Choose Azure Hybrid If:

✔ You use Microsoft 365/Azure AD.
✔ You need seamless SQL Managed Instance migration.

Choose AWS Hybrid If:

✔ You’re all-in on AWS services.
✔ You need Direct Connect for low-latency.

Best for Cost Savings:

  • Azure Hybrid Benefit (reuse SQL licenses).

  • AWS EC2 BYOL (Bring Your Own License).

Next Steps

  1. Assess latency between on-prem and cloud.

  2. Test failover to ensure DR readiness.

  3. Automate syncs using Data Factory or Glue.

Need help designing your hybrid SQL architecture? Let’s discuss your setup! 🚀

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