Database PaaS versus IaaS decision factors
Overview
Choosing Azure SQL / RDS versus SQL on VM / EC2 trades operational offload against control, edge-case features, and licence mobility.
PaaS advantages
Patch cadence managed by provider, built-in HA patterns, automated backups, easier scaling for many SMB workloads.
IaaS remains when
- Unsupported extensions, legacy collations, or third-party DLLs on SQL Server.
- Ultra-low latency to local file shares (temporary—often an architecture smell).
- Contractual clause mandating guest OS access.
Migration path
Assess with DMA / Database Migration Service; classify blocking features early; budget refactor vs IaaS carry honestly.
Ops clarity
Define who handles index maintenance, firewall rules, and long-running query alerts—PaaS still needs DBA judgment.
Cost
Watch storage autogrow and DTU/vCore headroom; rightsizing reviews quarterly.
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