Hands-on Lab · ~90–120 min · Beginner–Intermediate

Azure SQL Modernization Hands-on Lab

SQL Server → Azure SQL Database · portal-first · assess/migrate/AHB

Move an on-prem SQL Server to fully managed Azure SQL Database, entirely in the Azure Portal. From renew-vs-migrate, Azure Hybrid Benefit and free ESU cost logic to assessment, migration (DMS/BACPAC), validation and clean-up.

Azure SQL DatabaseDMSAzure MigrateHybrid BenefitSQL Server

The full step-by-step guide, deployment code (Bicep) and queries live in the GitHub repo.Start the lab on GitHub →

Practice the full journey of moving an on-prem SQL Server to fully managed Azure SQL Database, entirely in the Azure Portal. Learn how to turn a SQL license/SA renewal into a cloud modernization opportunity — from assessment to cost optimization.

What you'll learn

The renew vs. migrate decision, plus cost logic: Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHB) and free ESU on Azure
How to choose between Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance
A portal-first flow: assess → create target → migrate (DMS / BACPAC) → validate → optimize cost
Clean-up so nothing keeps billing after the lab

Details

Duration: ~90–120 min · Level: Beginner–Intermediate · Where: Azure Portal
Prerequisites: Azure subscription (Contributor recommended), a web browser
Target: Azure SQL Database (fast & cheap, finishes in-session). SQL MI is covered conceptually.

The full step-by-step guide, deployment code (Bicep) and validation queries live in the GitHub repository below. Open it and follow Part 0–8 in the README.

The full step-by-step guide, deployment code (Bicep) and queries live in the GitHub repo.Start the lab on GitHub →

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