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Deployment options for SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc

Applies to: SQL Server

Azure Arc automatically installs the Azure extension for SQL Server when a server connected to Azure Arc has SQL Server installed. All the SQL Server instance resources are automatically created in Azure, providing a centralized management platform for all your SQL Server instances.

To automatically connect your server, see Azure Connected Machine agent deployment options.

If your server is already connected to Azure, but Azure extension for SQL Server didn't deploy automatically.

Tip

Beginning with SQL Server 2022, you can connect a new SQL Server instance to Azure Arc when you're installing it on Windows Operating System. Install SQL Server 2022.

Onboard methods

The following table highlights each method so that you can determine which works best for your deployment. For detailed information, follow the links to view the steps for each topic.

Method Description
Interactively Manually connect the SQL Server on a single physical or virtual machine that is already connected to Azure Arc. Connect your SQL Server to Azure Arc on a server already enabled by Azure Arc
At scale Manage automatic connection for SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc
At scale Connect machines at scale by running PowerShell scripts with Configuration Manager
At scale Connect machines at scale with a Configuration Manager custom task sequence

Be sure to review the basic prerequisites before you deploy the agent, as well as any specific requirements listed in the steps for the onboarding method you choose.

Upgrade the extension

To determine the version of the current extension release, review the release notes.

To check the version of your extension, use the following PowerShell command:

azcmagent version

To simplify extension upgrades, be sure to enable automatic updates. You can also manually upgrade the extension by using the Azure portal, PowerShell and the Azure CLI.

To upgrade the extension in the Azure portal, follow these steps:

  1. In the Azure portal, go to Machines - Azure Arc.

  2. Select the name of the machine where SQL Server is installed to open the Overview pane for your server.

  3. Under Settings, select Extensions.

  4. Check the box for the WindowsAgent.SqlServer extension and then select Update from the navigation menu.

    Screenshot of the Extension pane for the Machine - Azure Arc pane in the Azure portal, with update highlighted.

  5. Select Yes on the Update extension confirmation dialog box to complete the upgrade.

For more information about upgrading the Azure extension for SQL Server, see Upgrade extension.