Azure SQL Server Stretch Database
Database management systems (DBMS)
Database software
SQL query builder tools
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What is Azure SQL Server Stretch Database
Azure SQL Server Stretch Database is a SQL Server feature that transparently extends an on-premises SQL Server database by migrating eligible rows from selected tables to Azure SQL Database. It targets database administrators and application teams that want to reduce on-premises storage pressure for cold or historical data while keeping applications querying through standard T-SQL. The feature maintains a single logical table view while splitting data between local SQL Server and Azure, with data movement managed by SQL Server. It is typically used for archival and compliance retention scenarios where older data is accessed infrequently.
Transparent table-level archiving
Applications continue to query the same tables using T-SQL while SQL Server routes access to local and stretched rows. This reduces the need to redesign schemas or build separate archive databases for many use cases. It can simplify operational processes compared with maintaining separate systems for hot and cold data.
Integrated SQL Server tooling
Stretch is configured and monitored through SQL Server management tooling and system views, aligning with common DBA workflows. It leverages SQL Server security and administration constructs for the local portion of the database. For teams already standardized on SQL Server, this can lower adoption effort compared with introducing a separate query environment and client tooling.
Managed cloud storage tier
Stretched data resides in Azure SQL Database, shifting storage and some platform management responsibilities to Azure. This can help organizations scale retention without expanding on-premises storage arrays for infrequently used data. It also supports scenarios where cloud-based retention is acceptable while keeping active data on-premises.
Feature restrictions and eligibility
Only certain tables and data types are eligible, and there are limitations around supported features and operations on stretched tables. Some schema changes and maintenance operations can be constrained or require special handling. These restrictions can make it unsuitable for complex OLTP schemas or workloads that rely on unsupported SQL Server features.
Performance depends on connectivity
Queries that touch stretched rows can incur network latency and depend on reliable connectivity between SQL Server and Azure. Workloads with frequent access to historical data may see unpredictable performance compared with keeping all data local. Tuning options are also different because part of the data lives in a separate managed service.
Not a general SQL builder tool
Stretch Database is a data-tiering capability rather than an end-user SQL query builder or collaborative SQL editor. It does not provide a dedicated SQL IDE experience beyond what SQL Server tools already offer. Teams seeking advanced query authoring, visualization, or collaboration typically still need separate client tools.
Plan & Pricing
Pricing model: Pay-as-you-go Notes: Service billed separately for compute (Database Stretch Units, DSU) and storage. Prices below taken from Microsoft Azure official pricing page (azure.cn). Example costs (compute - DSU levels):
- 100 DSU – ¥22.51 per hour (≈ ¥16,747.44 per month based on 744 hours)
- 200 DSU – ¥45.02 per hour (≈ ¥33,494.88/month)
- 300 DSU – ¥67.53 per hour (≈ ¥50,242.32/month)
- 400 DSU – ¥90.04 per hour (≈ ¥66,989.76/month)
- 500 DSU – ¥112.55 per hour (≈ ¥83,737.20/month)
- 600 DSU – ¥135.06 per hour (≈ ¥100,484.64/month)
- 1000 DSU – ¥225.10 per hour (≈ ¥167,474.40/month)
- 1200 DSU – ¥270.12 per hour (≈ ¥220,969.28/month)
- 1500 DSU – ¥337.65 per hour (≈ ¥251,211.60/month)
- 2000 DSU – ¥450.20 per hour (≈ ¥334,948.80/month)
Example costs (storage & snapshots):
- Data storage – ¥1.441 per GB per hour (includes size of Stretch DB and backup snapshots; all Stretch DBs have 7-day incremental backups)
- Geo-redundant backup storage – charged at Azure standard disk RA-GRS rate listed (¥1.056/GB/month noted on site)
Other charges:
- Outbound data transfer charged at standard Azure data transfer rates.
- Billing granularity: billed hourly; charged at the highest DSU level used within each hour.
Retirement note (from Microsoft official blog/docs): Microsoft announced the SQL Server Stretch Database Azure service was retired effective July 9, 2024; pricing page remains archived on Azure China site. Verify service availability before purchase.
Seller details
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond, Washington, United States
1975
Public
https://www.microsoft.com/
https://x.com/Microsoft
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