In azure sql virtual machine deployment can we use specific (additional) disk for SQL installation

Question

In azure sql virtual machine deployment can we use separate (additional) managed disk for SQL installation instead of the C drive or OS drive

Answer 1

@Stalin Rayala (External)
Thank you for posting the question and for using Microsoft Q&A platform.

Yes, you can use a separate managed disk for SQL installation instead of the C drive or OS drive in Azure SQL virtual machine deployment. This is actually a best practice recommended by Microsoft.

When you create a virtual machine in Azure, you can attach one or more data disks to the virtual machine. These disks can be used to store data files, log files, and backup files for SQL Server. By using separate disks for SQL Server data and log files, you can improve performance and simplify management.

There are also three main disk roles to consider for your SQL Server on Azure VM - an OS disk, a temporary disk, and your data disks. Carefully choose what is stored on the operating system drive (C:) and the ephemeral temporary drive (D:).
https://docs.azure.cn/en-us/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/performance-guidelines-best-practices-storage#vm-disk-types

1. An operating system disk is a VHD that can be booted and mounted as a running version of an operating system and is labeled as the C:\ drive. When you create an Azure VM, the platform attaches at least one disk to the VM for the operating system disk. The C:\ drive is the default location for application installs and file configuration.
2. Many Azure VMs contain another disk type called the temporary disk (labeled as the D:\ drive). Depending on the VM series and size the capacity of this disk will vary.
3. Data disks are remote storage disks that are often created in storage pools in order to exceed the capacity and performance that any single disk could offer to the VM.
4. Use Premium SSDs for data and log files for production SQL Server workloads. Premium SSD IOPS and bandwidth vary based on the disk size and type.

For more information, please refer to the below links:

https://docs.azure.cn/en-us/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/performance-guidelines-best-practices-storage#vm-disk-types
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/storage-configuration?view=azuresql&tabs=windows2016
https://www.sqlservercentral.com/forums/topic/proper-disk-drive-configuration-when-you-using-azure-sql-server-vms

Hope this helps. Do let us know if you have any further queries.

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