Implementing data platform services by using Azure

Azure is an open ecosystem that offers a large variety of data platforms, including relational SQL
databases, NoSQL databases, binary large object (BLOB)/files storage, Cache as a Service, and
analytics and Big Data.

SQL databases using Azure SQL Database
Developers building SaaS applications can use Azure SQL Database to provide flexibility to support
both explosive growth and profitable business models, based on the ability to scale, have high
performance, high availability, and the peace of mind that comes with security. Here are some of the
features that Azure SQL Database offers:

 Elastic database models and tools An elastic database gives developers the ability to pool
resources to use among a group of databases for scaling, which then can be administratively
managed by submitting a script as a job. The SQL Database performs the script across the
databases.

 High performance High-throughput applications can take advantage of the latest version,
which delivers 25 percent more premium database power.

 Backups, replication, and high availability Built-in replication and a Microsoft-backed SLA at
the database level provide app continuity and protection against catastrophic events, especially
when combined with active georeplication, the ability to control when and where to failover, and
self-service restore, which provides full control over “oops recovery” (data restoration from
available data backups of up to 35 days).

 Near-zero maintenance Automatic software is part of the service, and built-in system replicas
help to deliver inherent data protection, database uptime, and system stability. System replicas
are automatically moved to new computers, which are provisioned on the fly as old ones fail.

 Security Azure SQL Database offers a portfolio of security features to meet organizational or
industry-mandated compliance policies. Auditing provides developers the ability to perform
compliance-related tasks and to gain knowledge about activities. Developers and IT can
implement policies at the database level to help limit access to sensitive data with row-level
security, dynamic data masking, and transparent data encryption for Azure SQL Database. (SQL Database is verified by key cloud auditors as part of the scope of key Azure compliance
certifications and approvals, such as HIPAA BAA, ISO/IEC 27001:2005, FedRAMP, and EU Model
Clauses.)


NoSQL databases using Azure DocumentDB
Azure DocumentDB is a NoSQL document database service designed from the ground up to natively
support JSON and JavaScript directly inside the database engine. Coding against DocumentDB is
simple, approachable, and open, and it does not require custom encoding or extensions to JSON or
JavaScript. With these benefits developers can do the following:

 Build modern, scalable mobile and web applications with a unique combination of robust
querying and transactional data processing. Developers can extend the power of DocumentDB by
using JavaScript-based custom query operators or user-defined functions.

 Rapidly develop by accessing databases through CRUD, query, and JavaScript processing over a
simple RESTful HTTP interface. Developers can use a library of SDKs for JavaScript, Java, Node.js,
Python, and .NET.


Storage via Azure Storage
Azure Storage is the cloud storage solution for modern applications that rely on durability, availability, and scalability to meet the needs of their customers. Azure Storage provides the flexibility and hyperscale needed to store and retrieve large amounts of data so that as storage demands increase (for example, petabytes of storage), developers can take advantage of 500 TB of total storage per account, and a single subscription supports up to 50 storage accounts. Developers can make use of REST-based APIs to access storage.

Azure Storage delivers high-performance, low-latency disk support for I/O-intensive workloads
running in Azure Virtual Machines. It also is extremely durable and highly available (via replication).
Here are the services that Azure Storage offers:

 Azure Blob Storage (Object Storage) Store unstructured data such as documents and media
files

 Azure Table Storage For structured NoSQL data

 Azure Queue Storage For reliable message storage

 SMB-based Azure File Storage For existing or new applications


Caching by using Azure Redis Cache
Azure Redis Cache (based on the open-source Redis cache) gives developers access to a secure,
dedicated Redis cache, managed by Microsoft and accessible from any application within Azure. This
makes it possible for applications to become more responsive, even as user load increases, by taking
advantage of the low-latency, high-throughput capabilities of the Redis engine. Using this separate,
distributed cache layer, the data tier can scale independently for more efficient use of compute
resources in applications.

You can easily manage Azure Redis Cache (for example, monitoring its health and performance)
through the Azure portal.

Source Of Information : Microsoft Platform and Tools for Mobile App Development