Approaches To Migrate MS SQL Server 2012 R2 Databases To The Cloud, Essay.

Prepare a PowerPoint briefing for the Directors of Webb Stores. Your briefing should:

a. Describe the key concepts of Cloud Computing and why do you think that a move to the cloud will benefit Webb’s Store.

b. Explain how Webb could use either AWS or Azure to integrate their new regional group of stores into their existing operations.

c. Explain which cloud architectures you could use to integrate these operations and the reasons for their use.

d. Each slide in the briefing must also include speaking notes in the notes section to explain the slide, and all images used in the briefing should be referenced.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

There are two approaches Webb’s could use to migrate their MS SQL Server 2012 R2 databases to the cloud;

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Infrastructure as a service is the provision of virtualized commuting resources over the internet on an on-demand basis (Rouse, 2015). By purchasing an IaaS cloud service the customer typically purchases a virtual server which resides on a physical server owned by the selling company or the cloud service provider. When the user purchases the IaaS service, the user has full control of the virtual machine thus they can choose what they want to do with it. For the case scenario of Webb’s where they would like to acquire an Iaas Service for their MS SQL Server 2012 R2 databases, Webb’s would have to acquire a Windows Azure IaaS which they can run SQL server for the database to be hosted on the cloud (Otey, 2016). IaaS is typically recommended when the customer wants full control of the database and especially when the customer has an already existing system (Scott, 2017). Since Webb’s has an already existing database currently being by a few braches, this Iaas Could be a good solution to start with if cost is not an issue.

Platform as a service is the provision of platform resources foe development, testing and deployment of applications over the internet (Rouse, 2015). PaaS allows its users to implement a software from scratch up to when it’s deployed for use and all that is done through the platform provided by the PaaS. The services are on demand services meaning the customer uses it when they like. While still considering windows Azure, Webb’s can purchase Azure  SQL database which is a PaaS service provided by windows Azure. PaaS does not require a lot of configurations as the platform is already setup so this approach is typically used by business who need to start developing their application from scratch up to the deployment stage.

For Webb’s the best approach to use to deploy their MS SQL Server 2012 R2 databases to the cloud is IaaS. IaaS is the recommendable approach since Webb’s already has an existing database which is already in use. Acquiring an IaaS service like Azure SQL server would be the best strategy because they can configure the machine to fit to the configurations of the database. IaaS is also more secure as they can specify security measures to be implemented.

References

Otey, M. (2016, March). SQL Server Azure IaaS vs. SQL Azure Database PaaS. Retrieved August 22, 2017, from https://searchcloudapplications.techtarget.com/tip/SQL-Server-Azure-IaaS-vs-SQL-Azure-Database-PaaS

Scott, T. (2017, April 6). IaaS vs. PaaS: Which Cloud Model is Right for Your Business? Retrieved August 22, 2017, from https://technologyadvice.com/blog/information-technology/iaas-vs-paas/

Rouse, M. (2015, January). Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Retrieved August 22, 2017, from https://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/Infrastructure-as-a-Service-IaaS

Rouse, M. (2015, January). Platform as a Service (PaaS). Retrieved August 22, 2017, from https://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/Platform-as-a-Service-PaaS