With Azure SQL Data Sync users can easily synchronize data bi-directionally between multiple Azure SQL Databases and/or on-premises SQL Databases. This service is currently in public preview and available only in the old Azure portal. We are currently working to improve the service and bring it to General Availability (GA). In this blog, we are going to share the current roadmap of Azure Data Sync.
Azure Data Sync will be available in new Azure portal within the next few months. This will come with several improvements to the service, including PowerShell and REST API support, improvements to security and privacy, and enhanced monitoring and troubleshooting.
PowerShell programmability and REST APIs
Previously in Data Sync, creating sync groups and making changes had to be done manually through the UI. This could be a tedious, time consuming process, especially in complex sync topologies with many member databases or sync groups. We now have support for PowerShell and REST APIs which developers can leverage to make these tasks faster and easier.
Better security, better privacy, better resilience
Previously, Data Sync used a shared database to manage the sync metadata and operations for all users. Now each user will have dedicated Sync Databases. A Sync Database is a customer owned Azure SQL Database located in the same region as the Sync Group. One Sync Database can be used for many sync groups in the same region. By replacing the shared sync databases with customer owned sync databases, we provide better privacy and security. In addition, this provides the user flexibility to increase or decrease the performance tier of the Sync Database based on their needs.
Enhanced monitoring and troubleshooting
We have made a few key improvements to monitoring and troubleshooting. Users can now monitor the sync status programmatically using PowerShell and REST APIs. In addition, we’ve improved several error messages, making them more clear and actionable.
Availability in more regions
Previously, Data Sync was only available in limited Azure regions. The service will now be available in most regions. Support for Azure China, Germany, and Government regions will also come soon.
We will migrate existing Data Sync customers to the new Azure portal once it is available. If you are using Data Sync with any on-premises databases, you will need to download and configure the new Sync Agent to complete the migration. Detailed migration instructions will be provided closer to the time of migration.
The Data Sync service will remain free until GA. The only new cost is for the Sync Database which can be in any service tier. If you use Data Sync in multiple regions, you will need one Sync Database for each region.
If you have any feedback on Azure Data Sync service, we’d love to hear from you! To get the latest update of Azure Data Sync, please join the SQL Advisor Yammer Group or follow us @AzureSQLDB on Twitter.