Unlock the Easiest Path to HA SQL Server in Kubernetes

DH2i’s DxEnterprise with Rancher Prime by SUSE provides an ideal, infrastructure-agnostic, streamlined, high availability solution empowering enterprises to achieve unprecedented resilience, scalability, and security for their business-critical, Microsoft SQL Server landscapes. ~ Terry Smith

SUSE GUEST BLOG ARTICLE AUTHORED BY:
Don Boxley, Jr., co-founder and CEO of DH2i

There is no denying that containers play a pivotal role in the contemporary iteration of a “dream” SQL Server environment. Innovative organizations around the globe are leveraging containers as a vehicle to achieve cost savings and optimal resource utilization, as well as peak scalability and flexibility.

Unfortunately, inexperience with complex container orchestration technologies like Kubernetes remains a significant barrier preventing companies from being able to harness the power of containers. Downtime mitigation is also a widespread concern, as organizations aren’t even going to give containers a second thought for their business-critical SQL Server workloads if they don’t have the power to achieve “5 nines” uptime.

In this blog article we’ll further unwrap the challenges IT pros are facing in their pursuit of SQL Server containers.  We’ll introduce you to how DH2i and SUSE make container modernization easier than ever before—simplifying the process all the way from initial deployment to the implementation of comprehensive high availability on the Azure Platform.

Kubernetes possesses a labyrinth of configuration complexity, and in-turn, a steep learning curve for IT pros endeavoring into the technology for the first time. It defines a complex infrastructure so that the ensuing deployment of applications can be a straightforward and efficient process.
Kubernetes’ built-in downtime mitigation functionality poses a big issue for prospective SQL Server deployments as well. While Kubernetes does provide pod-level failover in the instance of an outage, it is captive to a 5-minute minimum downtime window for pod redeployment in the instance of an interrupted workload. This inherent latency of Kubernetes renders it totally ineligible for hosting critical SQL Server workloads that need to be held to much higher “5 nines” uptime standards.

DH2i’s DxEnterprise (DxE) and Rancher Prime by SUSE deliver on the promise to make Microsoft SQL Server Kubernetes deployments easier and more approachable than ever before. This combination brings an infrastructure agnostic, streamlined solution to the table that simplifies the SQL Server container modernization process all the way from migration/deployment to advanced high availability (HA) automation and ongoing orchestration. When integrated with the Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS) platform, the DH2i and Rancher Prime solution provides seamless compatibility and enhanced functionality, allowing organizations to leverage the fullest potential of AKS for their SQL Server workloads.

DxEnterprise unlocks this unparalleled uptime with the exclusive capability of fully automatic, database-level failover for SQL Server Availability Groups (AGs) in Kubernetes, reducing failover windows from minutes to mere seconds. DxEnterprise’s included DxOperator technology fully automates SQL Server AG deployments in Kubernetes and enables unique customizability for your Kubernetes-housed AG, such as the ability to toggle between synchronous and asynchronous pod replication.

Rancher Prime by SUSE is the comprehensive management platform that helps you run Kubernetes efficiently and securely everywhere. Rancher Prime provides an easy-to-use interface, advanced automation, unified policy, security, and user management, a rich ecosystem of tools and extensions, deployment from a trusted registry, and exclusive access to professional services and support. Rancher Prime mitigates the complexities and risks of cloud-native modernization. Install Rancher Prime in your data center or in the public cloud, including Microsoft Azure for a supported, pay-as-you-go option that can manage your Kubernetes landscape everywhere.

DxEnterprise is a secure and capable clustering solution that significantly improves on the pod-level high availability provided by Kubernetes. DxEnterprise locks down your network connections with application-level Zero Trust Network Access tunnels and ensures the industry’s lowest downtime for containerized SQL Server. Bolster your security further with easy integration of SUSE’s NeuVector Prime for full lifecycle container security.

DH2i and SUSE, in collaboration with Microsoft Azure, bring together the perfect ingredients for efficient and administrator-friendly SQL Server Availability Group deployments in Kubernetes. Customers gain the security of a jointly validated, enterprise solution with peak flexibility and scalability, vastly improved resilience, and optimal resource utilization for potentially huge cost savings.

Head over to the DH2i website and download a free license so that you can test DxEnterprise and the DxOperator in your Rancher-managed Kubernetes environment for the next 30 days.  Check out the quick start guide and demonstration to see how easily you can deploy an SQL Server AG in AKS with DxOperator and Rancher Prime.

Here are some additional resources to help you get the most out of your trial period:

• Always-Secure, Always-On: Rancher + Helm Availability Groups demonstration
• Modernize SQL Server with Kubernetes with DH2i and SUSE demonstration
• Getting started with Rancher by SUSE

Don Boxley, Jr. is DH2i’s co-founder and CEO.  Prior to DH2i, Don spent more than 20 years in management positions for leading technology companies, including Hewlett-Packard, CoCreate Software, Iomega, and Colorado Memory Systems.  Don earned his MBA from the Johnson School of Management, Cornell University.