SQL Azure Assessment Test

An SQL Azure Assessment Test evaluates individuals on their proficiency in using and managing Azure SQL Database, Microsoft's cloud-based relational database service built on SQL Server. The test focuses on essential aspects of configuring, managing, securing, and optimizing databases in the Azure environment, leveraging cloud capabilities for scalability, high availability, and performance optimization.

A SQL Azure Assessment Test evaluates candidates for:

1. Understanding Azure SQL Database Architecture

• Overview of Azure SQL Database: Knowledge of the core architecture of Azure SQL Database, including how it differs from traditional SQL Server installations and its cloud-native features such as automatic scaling, high availability, and disaster recovery.
• Deployment Models: Understanding of the different deployment models in SQL Azure, such as Single Database, Elastic Pools, and Managed Instances, and when to use each based on workload requirements.

2. Database Configuration and Management

• Creating and Configuring Databases: Proficiency in creating and configuring SQL databases in Azure, including selecting service tiers (Basic, Standard, Premium, Hyperscale) and adjusting DTUs (Database Transaction Units) or vCores for performance.
• Elastic Pools: Understanding how to configure elastic pools to manage multiple databases with shared resources, and knowledge of when to use them for cost optimization.
• Database Scaling: Proficiency in scaling SQL Azure databases vertically (by increasing vCores or DTUs) and horizontally (through sharding or geo-replication) to meet application demands.

3. Performance Tuning and Optimization

• Query Performance: Skills in identifying and optimizing slow-running queries using tools such as Query Store, Execution Plans, and Dynamic Management Views (DMVs).
• Index Management: Knowledge of creating and managing indexes to optimize query performance, including configuring clustered, non-clustered, and filtered indexes.
• Automatic Tuning: Configuring and managing automatic tuning features such as automatic index creation and index dropping, allowing Azure SQL to optimize database performance automatically.
• Resource Monitoring: Using Azure Monitor, Azure Metrics, and SQL Insights to monitor resource utilization, database health, and performance bottlenecks in real-time.

4. Backup, Restore, and High Availability

• Automated Backups: Proficiency in managing automated backups provided by Azure SQL, including configuring retention periods, backup redundancy options (locally redundant, geo-redundant), and point-in-time restore (PITR).
• Geo-Replication: Understanding how to configure active geo-replication for high availability and disaster recovery, allowing databases to be replicated across different regions.
• Failover Groups: Configuring failover groups to ensure seamless failover between primary and secondary databases in different regions for business continuity.
• Restore Operations: Knowledge of restoring databases from backups, including point-in-time restore, long-term retention (LTR), and geo-restore options.

5. Security and Compliance

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Configuring RBAC to manage access to SQL databases in Azure, ensuring that only authorized users have the appropriate level of access to the database.
• Authentication and Authorization: Proficiency in setting up Azure Active Directory (AAD) authentication for SQL databases, and configuring SQL Server authentication with complex password policies.
• Data Encryption: Configuring Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to protect data at rest, and Always Encrypted to protect sensitive data during query processing.
• Firewall and Network Security: Knowledge of configuring Azure SQL firewalls to restrict access based on IP addresses, and setting up private endpoints for secure connections to SQL databases without exposing them to the public internet.
• Compliance: Ensuring compliance with industry standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) using features like Advanced Data Security, auditing, and data classification in SQL Azure.

6. Disaster Recovery and Replication

• Geo-Replication and Failover: Proficiency in configuring geo-replication to enable read-scale replicas and automatic failover in case of regional outages.
• Automated Failover: Setting up automatic failover groups to ensure high availability across regions with minimal downtime during disaster recovery scenarios.
• Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO): Understanding how to configure and optimize RTO and RPO settings based on business needs and ensure minimum data loss during disaster recovery.

7. Integration with Other Azure Services

• Azure Data Factory: Knowledge of integrating Azure Data Factory for ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, automating data movement between SQL Azure and other data sources.
• Azure Logic Apps and Functions: Configuring Logic Apps and Azure Functions to automate processes, such as sending alerts based on database triggers or executing scheduled maintenance tasks.
• Azure Synapse Analytics Integration: Understanding how to integrate SQL Azure with Azure Synapse Analytics for advanced analytics and big data processing, leveraging Azure Data Lake for scalable data storage.

8. Migration to SQL Azure

• Database Migration: Proficiency in using tools like the Azure Database Migration Service (DMS), Data Migration Assistant (DMA), and Azure SQL Migration Extension to migrate on-premise SQL Server databases to Azure SQL.
• Assessment and Planning: Understanding how to perform migration assessments to identify potential issues (e.g., compatibility, performance) before migrating databases to the cloud.
• Hybrid Cloud Solutions: Knowledge of hybrid cloud solutions, enabling on-premises databases to integrate with SQL Azure for backup, disaster recovery, or cloud bursting.

9. Monitoring and Auditing

• Activity Monitoring: Proficiency in using Azure Monitor, SQL Analytics, and Azure Advisor to track and analyze database performance, resource usage, and overall health.
• Auditing and Threat Detection: Configuring auditing for SQL Azure to track database activity for compliance purposes, and enabling Advanced Threat Protection to detect and respond to potential security threats.
• Diagnostic Logs: Knowledge of setting up diagnostic logs to capture detailed information about database activity, errors, and performance events for troubleshooting.

10. Automation and Scripting

• Azure PowerShell and CLI: Proficiency in using Azure PowerShell and the Azure CLI to automate database management tasks such as provisioning, scaling, and configuring databases.
• T-SQL Scripting: Skills in writing T-SQL scripts for querying and managing databases, creating stored procedures, triggers, and optimizing SQL queries for performance.
• Automation with Azure DevOps: Integrating SQL Azure with Azure DevOps for continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, automating database deployments and schema updates.

Overall, an SQL Azure Assessment Test evaluates a candidate's ability to configure, manage, secure, and optimize Azure SQL databases. It assesses their understanding of cloud-native features, disaster recovery, security, and integration with other Azure services, as well as their ability to ensure high performance and scalability in a cloud-based environment.

This evaluation is essential for identifying individuals who can effectively manage SQL Azure databases, ensuring they are optimized for performance, secure from potential threats, and integrated with other Azure services to meet the needs of modern cloud-based applications.