Intro to Azure Database for PostgreSQL

Lately I’ve been doing some work around open source databases on Azure. Today I’d like to tell you about PostgreSQL on Azure database. This is a recent Microsoft release and for me it’s cool to think of PostgreSQL as a first-class citizen on Azure and for Microsoft to be embracing the open source community.

Microsoft is using a relational data services platform to support multiple relational database platforms including Azure DW, Azure SQL Database, My SQL and now PostgreSQL. You may be asking, why would I consider using this on my applications? If you use PostgreSQL on your apps, whether it’s WordPress or PHB or any open source development platform, you have great new opportunity to move your application to Azure using the Web Apps features and your database.

And because it’s a Platform as a Service, it allows you to reduce your overall maintenance and operational load. Let me tell you the 5 key things I like about moving Azure database to PostgreSQL:

1. No installation is required since it’s Platform as a Service. You turn this feature on and there are no VMs and no management from that perspective.

2. It’s Azure Data Services, which means it’s secure by default. Your PostgreSQL database is encrypted at REST and your backups are also encrypted. PostgreSQL is using multiple compliance certifications including HIPPA and PCIDSS Level 1. Whatever you need to secure, your data is there.

3. High availability is built in. If you’re using VMs or AWS for your PostgreSQL database, you will have to set up and pay for that high availability second instance. Azure keeps free copies of your data to protect your solution from issues at any time. This is built in; free copies and free high availability nodes are included in the product.

4. You can scale on demand. Typically, you can reduce what you deploy in Azure. In Azure you build things out for what you need, instead of building out for peak, and you can plan to scale up as needed. This allows you to manage the overall cost for your applications.

5. Monitoring is built in by default. You can set up alerts and notifications for your various needs. It’s turned on for the database by default so when you go in, it’s there and gives you the monitoring you need.

Azure database for PostgreSQL is designed to support your open source solutions from the ground up. If you take advantage of the entire Azure open source play, you’ll be able to deploy those applications to the Web App services and PaaS, reducing your need and the complexity of setting up VMs.

One thing to keep in mind is Microsoft is committed to using the community edition. Important to be aware of as you move forward and look at the possibility of migrating. Microsoft is not creating a new branch of the code. If you are using the community edition, you’ll be able to move your Azure databases to PostgreSQL without problems.

If you have any questions around using Azure database for PostgreSQL to move your open source technologies to Azure, you’re in the right place. Click the link below or contact us with questions on this topic or anything Azure related—we’re here to help.