A few things that you must know about Microsoft Azure SQL are following:

• Azure SQL is a cloud-based relational database service provided by Microsoft as part of the Azure suite of services. It allows users to store and manage relational data in the cloud, without having to set up and manage the underlying infrastructure themselves.
• Azure SQL is built on Microsoft SQL Server technology and supports various editions and features, including SQL Server Enterprise, Standard, and Express. It also supports various deployment options, including single databases, elastic pools, and managed instances.
• Azure SQL offers features such as automatic backup and disaster recovery, high availability, security and compliance, and scalability, making it an ideal solution for businesses of all sizes. It also supports integration with other Azure services, such as Azure Active Directory and Azure Data Factory, for enhanced functionality and ease of use.

Hosting locations available for Azure SQL

Azure SQL is available in various regions globally. The hosting locations available for Azure SQL are as follows:

• North America: Central US, East US, East US 2, North Central US, South Central US, West Central US, West US, West US 2, Canada Central, Canada East
• South America: Brazil South
• Europe: North Europe, West Europe, UK South, UK West, France Central, Germany North, Germany West Central, Norway East, Switzerland North, Switzerland West
• Asia: East Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan East, Japan West, Korea Central, Korea South
• Australia: Australia Central, Australia Central 2, Australia East, Australia Southeast
• India: Central India, South India, West India
• Middle East and Africa: South Africa North, UAE Central, UAE North

It's important to note that the availability of specific service tiers and features may vary depending on the region selected. Customers can choose the region that is closest to their location to minimize latency and improve performance. Azure SQL also allows customers to replicate data across regions for high availability and disaster recovery purposes.

What are the pricing tiers available for azure SQL database?

Azure SQL pricing varies depending on several factors such as the deployment option chosen, the database edition selected, the storage and compute resources required, and the region in which the service is used.

Here are some of the pricing tiers for Azure SQL:

Single database pricing:

This option is designed for applications with a single database. It offers a range of service tiers, including Basic, Standard, and Premium, with pricing starting at $4.99 per month.

Elastic pool pricing:

This option is designed for applications that require multiple databases with varying usage patterns. It allows customers to share a pool of resources across multiple databases, enabling cost savings. Pricing starts at $15/month for the basic tier.

Managed instance pricing:

This option is designed for applications that require high compatibility with the SQL Server database engine. It offers a range of service tiers, including General Purpose and Business Critical, with pricing starting at $1,684.43 per month.

Additionally, there are options to use Azure SQL with reserved capacity, which can provide significant cost savings, as well as options for dev/test environments, which are significantly discounted compared to production environments.

It's important to note that these prices are subject to change and may vary based on usage patterns and region. To get an accurate estimate of Azure SQL pricing for your specific needs, it's recommended to use the Azure pricing calculator or consult with a Microsoft sales representative.