SQL Managed Instance

SYSPRO 8
Reference Guide
Published: March 2019
 SQL Managed Instance
CONTENTS Exploring 2
Starting 7
Using 8
SQL Managed Instance
SYSPRO 8 supports SQL Database Managed Instance (hereafter referred to as SQL Managed
Instance).
SQL Managed Instance is a Microsoft Azure cloud-based environment that provides
compatibility with the SQL Server on-premise Enterprise Edition database engine.
SYSPRO customers already running on a Microsoft Azure cloud-based environment can
replace their SQL Server Enterprise edition running on a Virtual Machine (VM) with SQL
Managed Instance.
Alternatively, existing SYSPRO customers can lift and shift their on-premise server
environments to the Azure cloud, taking advantage of SQL Managed Instance to handle
their database workloads.
With Software Assurance you can exchange existing SQL Server licenses for discounted rates
on SQL Managed Instance.
SQL Managed Instance preserves all the Platform as a Service (PaaS) capabilities (such as
automated patching and version updates, automated backups and high-availability) that
drastically reduces management overhead and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of an
enterprise database environment.

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Exploring
Where it fits in?
SYSPRO running on Azure provides you with a choice of running SQL Managed Instance
or SQL Server running on a Virtual Machine (VM).
With SQL Managed Instance – a cloud-based managed database - you provision the SQL
environment based on CPUs, Memory and Disk usage, and SQL Server is automatically
configured and enabled for you. There is, therefore, no need for you to provision a
separate Windows Server VM and then install and configure SQL Server.
Cost is based on the performance and scale of the managed Instance and this can be
reconfigured simply as your needs grow, or even reduce, over time.

Benefits
Simplified SQL environment setup.
PaaS environment - Automated patching and version updates, automated
backups and high availability.
Reduced management overhead and TCO – Improved IT flexibility and
responsiveness.
Flexibility to scale-up (and down) as required.
Ability to exchange existing SQL Server licenses for discounted rates on SQL
Manged Instance.

What is SQL Database Managed Instance?

The following explanation is extracted directly from Microsoft's website:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sql-database/sql-database-managed-instance

Azure SQL Database Managed Instance is a new deployment model of Azure SQL Database,
providing near 100% compatibility with the latest SQL Server on-premises (Enterprise Edition)
Database Engine, providing a native virtual network (VNet) implementation that addresses
common security concerns, and a business model favorable for on-premises SQL Server
customers.
Managed Instance allows existing SQL Server customers to lift and shift their on-premises
applications to the cloud with minimal application and database changes.
At the same time, Managed Instance preserves all PaaS capabilities (automatic patching and
version updates, automated backups, high-availability ), that drastically reduces management
overhead and TCO.

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SYSPRO HELP AND REFERENCE REFERENCE GUIDE: SQL Managed Instance 3
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 Architecture
The following depicts a traditional 3-tier SYSPRO environment:

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 The following depicts a 3-tier SYSPRO environment using a SQL Managed Instance:

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 Terminology
Blob Storage
Azure Blob Storage provides SYSPRO with an intermediate storage area for the
uploading of data into your SQL Managed Instance.

Managed Instance
Managed Instance is a new resource type in SQL Database that streamlines the
migration of SQL Server workloads and combines the best of SQL Server with all the
benefits of a fully-managed database service.

Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service created by Microsoft for building, testing,
deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data
centers .
It provides the following:

Software as a service (SaaS)

Platform as a service (PaaS)
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

In addition, Microsoft Azure supports many different programming languages, tools

and frameworks (including both Microsoft-specific and third-party software and
systems).

Peering
Peering is the arrangement of traffic exchange between Internet service providers.
In the context of SYSPRO SQL Managed Instances, peering is the direct interconnection
between the Microsoft network and another network for the purpose of exchanging
traffic between the networks.

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Starting
Prerequisites
Microsoft Azure administration knowledge

Deploying
The actions required to set up a SQL Managed Instance, depend on whether you are
a new or existing SYSPRO user.

New SYSPRO Users

1. Create the SQL Managed Instance within the Microsoft Azure Portal.
2. Configure SYSPRO to access your newly-created SQL Managed Instance.

Existing SYSPRO Users

1. Create the SQL Managed Instance within the Microsoft Azure Portal.
2. Upload and install your databases.
3. Configure SYSPRO to access your newly-created SQL Managed Instance.

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Using
Tasks
Create a SQL Managed Instance
1. Access the Azure portal (https://portal.azure.com/) to create your SQL Managed
Instance.

Considerations:
The SQL Managed Instance must reside on the same resource
group as your SYSPRO Application Server.
The SQL Managed Instance must reside in the same location
as your SYSPRO Application server.
Take note of the following information which will be used later
in the setup process:
The virtual network card that you will be using.
The SQL credentials that will be used during your setup.
The deployment of a SQL Managed Instance can take up to 12
hours to complete.

2. Once the instance is deployed, ensure that your SYSPRO Application server can
access the SQL Managed Instance:
Create Peerings against each of the Virtual Network cards, so that they are
connected to each other.
a. Select the network card from the virtual machine.
b. Access the Peering configuration.
c. Create a Peering to the network card used against the SQL Managed
Instance.
Create Peerings on the SQL Managed Instance that will connect to the
SYSPRO Application server network.
a. Select the network card from the virtual machine.
b. Access the Peering configuration.
c. Create a Peering to the network card used against the SQL managed
instance.
3. Open SQL Server Management Studio to connect to your newly created SQL
Managed Instance.
You will need to use the Instance name generated when you created the instance
(e.g. tcp:xxxxxxxx.database.windows.net,1433).

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 Upload and install databases
1. Access the Microsoft portal for detailed information about database migration:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sql-database/sql-database-managed-
instance-migrate.

2. Review and select your preferred migration method based on your requirements
and system setup.
The following database migration methods are currently supported:
Azure Database Migration Service
Migration with near-zero downtime.
Review the Microsoft tutorial:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dms/tutorial-sql-server-to-managed-
instance.

Native RESTORE database from URL

Migration using native backups from SQL Server (requires some downtime).
Review the Microsoft tutorial:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/backup-
restore/sql-server-backup-to-url?view=sql-server-2017

3. Upload and install your databases, following the instructions based on the
migration method you selected.

Configure SYSPRO for a SQL Managed Instance

Once you have successfully restored your database(s) proceed with configuring SYSPRO.

1. Open your IMPACT.INI file (located in the \Work folder) and edit the SQLSSN entry
to point to the newly-created SQL Managed Instance (e.g.
SQLSSN=tcp:xxxxxxx.database.windows.net,1433.

2. Optionally change the SQLADM entry in the IMPACT.INI file to be SQLADM=[reset]

to reset the SQL credentials. When you next open SYSPRO, the system will
prompt you to enter the new credentials for the SQL databases.
3. Open SYSPRO and navigate to the System Setup program (Program List >
Administration > General Setup > System Setup), to enter the Azure Storage account
details that SYSPRO uses for Bulk Insert commands.
Enter the appropriate information in the following fields of the Database tab:

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 Field Description

Azure Managed
Instance Con-
figuration

Use managed instance This lets you use a SQL Managed Instance created in
Azure (i.e. this makes programs use logic written spe-
cially for SQL Managed Instance).

Blob storage con- This is the address that is used to store objects in
tainer address Azure.

Shared access sig- This indicates the credentials that will be used when
nature accessing resources in the Azure Blob storage con-
tainer.

External data source This is the Azure external data source name (used by
SYSPRO for Bulk Inserts).

4. Save your changes and exit the program.

5. Restart SYSPRO.

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