Merge pull request #53616 from MicrosoftDocs/NEW-understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server

Syncing updates to main from release branch

Author: v-ccolin

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/1-introduction.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.wwl.understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server.introduction
+title: Introduction
+metadata:
+  title: Introduction
+  description: "Introduction"
+  ms.date: 11/3/2025
+  author: JulianePadrao
+  ms.author: jupadrao
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 18
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/1-introduction.md)]
+

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/2-business-continuity-with-azure-sql-managed-instance.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.wwl.understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server.business-continuity-with-azure-sql-managed-instance
+title: Ensure business continuity with Azure SQL Managed Instance
+metadata:
+  title: Ensure Business Continuity with Azure SQL Managed Instance
+  description: "Ensure Business Continuity with Azure SQL Managed Instance"
+  ms.date: 11/3/2025
+  author: JulianePadrao
+  ms.author: jupadrao
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 7
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/2-business-continuity-with-azure-sql-managed-instance.md)]
+

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/3-azure-arc-enabled.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.wwl.understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server.azure-arc-enabled
+title: Simplify management with Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server
+metadata:
+  title: Simplify management with Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server
+  description: "Simplify management with Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server"
+  ms.date: 11/3/2025
+  author: JulianePadrao
+  ms.author: jupadrao
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 8
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/3-azure-arc-enabled.md)]
+

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/4-near-real-time-analytics-synapse-link-for-sql.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.wwl.understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server.near-real-time-analytics-synapse-link-for-sql
+title: Understand mirroring in Microsoft Fabric
+metadata:
+  title: Understand mirroring in Microsoft Fabric
+  description: "Understand mirroring in Microsoft Fabric"
+  ms.date: 11/3/2025
+  author: JulianePadrao
+  ms.author: jupadrao
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 16
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/4-near-real-time-analytics-synapse-link-for-sql.md)]
+

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/5-azure-active-directory-azure-ad-authentication.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.wwl.understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server.azure-active-directory-azure-ad-authentication
+title: Secure with Microsoft Entra authentication
+metadata:
+  title: Secure with Microsoft Entra authentication
+  description: "Secure with Microsoft Entra authentication"
+  ms.date: 11/3/2025
+  author: JulianePadrao
+  ms.author: jupadrao
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 3
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/5-azure-active-directory-azure-ad-authentication.md)]
+

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/6-knowledge-check.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.wwl.understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server.knowledge-check
+title: Knowledge check
+metadata:
+  title: Knowledge check
+  description: "Knowledge check"
+  ms.date: 11/3/2025
+  author: JulianePadrao
+  ms.author: jupadrao
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 4
+quiz:
+  title: "Check your knowledge"
+  questions:
+  - content: "Which of the following is a limitation of the Azure SQL Managed Instance link feature?"
+    choices:
+    - content: "The link feature can only replicate databases of a certain size."
+      isCorrect: false
+      explanation: "Incorrect. There's no specific database size limit."
+    - content: "The link feature cannot replicate databases that use In-Memory OLTP objects on the General Purpose service tier."
+      isCorrect: true
+      explanation: "Correct. Replicating databases that use In-Memory OLTP objects is not supported on the General Purpose service tier of Azure SQL Managed Instance."
+    - content: "The link feature cannot replicate databases that use columnstore indexes."
+      isCorrect: false
+      explanation: "Incorrect. Columnstore indexes are supported."
+  - content: "How many databases can be placed into a single availability group for one Azure SQL Managed Instance link?"
+    choices:
+    - content: "Only one database"
+      isCorrect: true
+      explanation: "Correct. Only one database can be placed into a single availability group for one Azure SQL Managed Instance link."
+    - content: "Multiple databases"
+      isCorrect: false
+      explanation: "Incorrect. Multiple databases aren't supported. However, it's possible to replicate multiple databases in a single SQL Server instance by establishing multiple links."
+    - content: "Multiple databases, as long as the database size is less than a certain limit"
+      isCorrect: false
+      explanation: "Incorrect. Multiple databases aren't supported. However, it's possible to replicate multiple databases in a single SQL Server instance by establishing multiple links."
+  - content: "What is the primary purpose of mirroring in Microsoft Fabric?"
+    choices:
+    - content: "To provide disaster recovery and failover capabilities"
+      isCorrect: false
+      explanation: "Incorrect. Disaster recovery and failover are provided by Azure SQL Managed Instance Link. Microsoft Fabric Mirroring is designed for near real-time analytics and data replication to OneLake."
+    - content: "To replicate data in near real-time to OneLake for analytics workloads"
+      isCorrect: true
+      explanation: "Correct. Microsoft Fabric Mirroring continuously replicates SQL Server data to OneLake using change data capture (CDC), enabling near real-time analytics without impacting operational workloads."
+    - content: "To replace Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server for centralized management"
+      isCorrect: false
+      explanation: "Incorrect. Microsoft Fabric Mirroring is focused on data replication for analytics, not management. Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server provides centralized management capabilities."
+

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/7-summary.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.wwl.understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server.summary
+title: Summary
+metadata:
+  title: Summary
+  description: "Summary"
+  ms.date: 11/3/2025
+  author: JulianePadrao
+  ms.author: jupadrao
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 2
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/7-summary.md)]
+

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/includes/1-introduction.md

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+You'll learn about SQL Server 2025 scenarios that can be extended to the cloud and understand the advantages of using a hybrid approach to increase productivity and innovation. You'll explore how to connect to Azure for managing disaster recovery, near real-time analytics, data synchronization, and enhanced authentication.
+
+Understanding how SQL Server operates as a hybrid data platform helps in modernizing your data estate and improving scalability and control. The hybrid data platform also enables you to explore cloud computing benefits before fully migrating to Azure, providing an opportunity to evaluate performance and reliability before a full commitment.
+
+A cloud connected service can also be adopted in different ways, such as storing SQL Server data files on Azure Storage, backing up to S3-compatible storage, or failing over SQL Server to Azure during a disaster recovery or migration scenario.
+
+### Increased agility and innovation
+
+To keep up with technological advancements, services require substantial computing resources due to increasing data volumes. A hybrid approach for your data services provides agility and scalability. Managing and maintaining a disaster recovery site for your data can be difficult and costly. Getting started with business continuity through Azure SQL Managed Instance Link, combined with features like Microsoft Fabric Mirroring for real-time data synchronization, can help ease this burden and support your transition to the cloud.
+
+SQL Server 2025 enhances hybrid capabilities with improved cloud integration options. Features like S3-compatible object storage support for backups, enhanced [Azure Arc](/azure/azure-arc/overview?azure-portal=true) management, and connectivity with [Microsoft Fabric](/fabric/get-started/microsoft-fabric-overview?azure-portal=true) enable organizations to build data platforms that span on-premises and cloud environments.
+
+You'll explore the hybrid services available on SQL Server 2025 that can help you optimize costs for several workloads, avoid unnecessary infrastructure investments, and increase team agility. A hybrid approach can be adopted by organizations with an on-premises legacy setup that is no longer supported by vendors, enabling them to modernize incrementally while maintaining existing investments.
+
+### Security enhancements
+
+A properly secured hybrid cloud infrastructure can provide a safe environment for your services and enhance your overall security framework.
+
+Security solutions should provide visibility and control over the network, and various security options to safeguard hybrid cloud environments. Compliance and governance are important considerations when it comes to security in certain industries like finance, government, and healthcare.
+
+For this reason, it's essential to have a security solution that adheres to industry standards and regulations in hybrid cloud environments to ensure data security, confidentiality, and integrity. 
+
+[Microsoft Entra authentication](/entra/identity/authentication/overview-authentication?azure-portal=true) for SQL Server 2025 is a central authentication repository that supports advanced authentication methods like Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication and Microsoft Entra access tokens, enabling companies to add security to their authentication process. SQL Server 2025 builds upon this foundation with enhanced managed identity support for Azure Arc-enabled instances, providing secure authentication to Azure services.
+
+With a cloud-based central authentication authority like Microsoft Entra ID, you can take advantage of SQL Server security features while reducing the risk of security breaches caused by weak or reused passwords.

learn-pr/sqlserver/understand-hybrid-data-platform-sql-server/includes/2-business-continuity-with-azure-sql-managed-instance.md

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+
+Running and maintaining a Disaster Recovery (DR) solution on-premises can be challenging, costly, and time consuming.
+
+SQL Server 2025 provides the flexibility to extend your on-premises disaster recovery environment to Azure, allowing you to fail over and fail back between SQL Server instances and [Azure SQL Managed Instance](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/sql-managed-instance-paas-overview?azure-portal=true) by using the [link feature](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/managed-instance-link-feature-overview?azure-portal=true). This capability has been enhanced in SQL Server 2025 with improved performance, better monitoring, and streamlined configuration options.
+
+Azure SQL Managed Instance offers a fully functional instance of SQL Server on Azure that is highly compatible with SQL Server 2025, supporting your hybrid disaster recovery solution.
+
+:::image type="content" source="../media/module-2-azure-sql-offerings.png" alt-text="Diagram showing the various Azure SQL offerings available, including SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machine, and Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database.":::
+
+### Extended capabilities to the cloud
+
+There are several ways to use the link feature and use Azure services and resources:
+
+- **Offload read-only workloads**. You can configure secondary replicas on your SQL Server to Azure to offload reporting needs. The link feature is database scoped, allowing for consolidation of read-only workloads in Azure, bringing data closer to customers in any supported region worldwide.
+
+- **Migrate workloads**. Azure SQL Managed Instance link feature offers an online migration option. Organizations can adopt a phased approach to cloud migration by partially running workloads on Azure.
+
+- **Automated backups**. Secondary replicas running on Azure SQL Managed Instance are automatically backed up to your [Azure Blob Storage](/azure/storage/blobs/storage-blobs-overview?azure-portal=true) account, which reduces administrative efforts and improves reliability. SQL Server 2025 introduces enhanced backup capabilities for [Always On availability groups](/sql/database-engine/availability-groups/windows/overview-of-always-on-availability-groups-sql-server?azure-portal=true), allowing full and differential backups to be performed on secondary replicas in addition to the existing copy-only and transaction log backups. This enhancement, enabled through trace flags (TF 3261 for differential and TF 3262 for full backups), provides flexibility in offloading backup workloads from the primary replica, reducing I/O strain on production systems while maintaining backup consistency across your hybrid environment.
+
+- **Business continuity**. As a disaster recovery solution, the link feature in SQL Server 2025 allows you to fail over to Azure SQL Managed Instance and fail back after the disaster is mitigated. SQL Server 2025 enhances this capability with improved monitoring dashboards and health checks.
+
+> [!TIP]
+> For organizations requiring real-time data replication for analytics purposes, consider using [Mirroring in Fabric](/fabric/database/mirrored-database/overview?azure-portal=true) in conjunction with Azure SQL Managed Instance Link. The link feature focuses on disaster recovery and business continuity, while Fabric Mirroring provides low-latency replication for analytical workloads.
+
+### Hybrid flexibility with Azure SQL Managed Instance link feature
+
+Azure SQL Managed Instance link feature allows you to replicate your SQL Server databases hosted anywhere to Azure, and failover to the cloud in the event of a disaster or business disruption. The link feature provides failover between the primary and secondary databases.
+
+One of the advantages of using Azure SQL Managed Instance is that it's a platform as a service (PaaS), which means that hardware maintenance, patching, and updates are applied and managed automatically by Azure. This ensures that your database environment is up-to-date and secure, while reducing the risk of downtime due to hardware failures or software vulnerabilities.
+
+:::image type="content" source="../media/module-2-sql-managed-instance-link-feature.png" alt-text="Diagram showing the replication of databases from the primary replica to the secondary replica through the distributed availability group (AG).":::
+
+The link feature uses [distributed availability group](/sql/database-engine/availability-groups/windows/distributed-availability-groups?azure-portal=true) (DAG) and is scoped per database (one link per database). This allows you to consolidate multiple parallel SQL Server databases into an Azure SQL Managed Instance or scale them out across multiple instances and regions worldwide.
+
+The link feature provides two types of replication:
+
+- **One-way replication**. One-way replication is available for SQL Server versions 2016, 2019, and 2022, allowing you to replicate data one way from a SQL Server instance to your managed instance. 
+
+- **Two-way replication**. SQL Server 2025 provides enhanced two-way replication capabilities, where you can replicate data between your managed instance and SQL Server instances, manually fail over during a disaster, and fail back after the disaster is mitigated. SQL Server 2025 includes improvements to the failback process with better performance monitoring and reduced downtime during failover operations.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> SQL Server 2025 supports both online failover and failback capabilities. Check the latest Azure SQL Managed Instance documentation for current feature availability and enhancements.
+
+### Enable the link feature
+
+To configure the link feature, follow the same steps regardless of whether you're migrating to Azure SQL Managed Instance, configuring disaster recovery on the cloud, offload workloads to Azure, or reduce backup operations and management costs.
+
+You can use either a wizard in [SQL Server Management Studio](/sql/ssms/sql-server-management-studio-ssms?azure-portal=true) (SSMS) or scripts. The main advantage of using scripts is that they can be automated, which can improve your deployment process. SQL Server 2025 benefits from the latest SSMS enhancements that provide better visibility into link status and replication health.
+
+- Replicate a database by using [Azure SQL Managed Instance link wizard available in SSMS](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/managed-instance-link-use-ssms-to-replicate-database?azure-portal=true).
+
+- Replicate a database by using [T-SQL and PowerShell scripts.](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/managed-instance-link-use-scripts-to-replicate-database?azure-portal=true)
+
+There are a few SQL Server features that aren't supported by Azure SQL Managed Instance link. For example, you can't enable the link feature if the functionality that's used on the primary SQL Server database isn't supported on Azure SQL Managed Instance, such as file tables and file streams.
+
+For the full list of supported features and any SQL Server 2025-specific considerations, see [Limitations of Azure SQL Managed Instance link](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/managed-instance-link-feature-overview?azure-portal=true).
+