Microsoft Edge Retirement - ARM support

Question

I read through the article posted at:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates?id=azure-sql-edge-retirement

In it, it says that the Azure SQL Edge is being retired in the fall. This concerns me greatly because of the migration path listed here. It appears that, essentially we either need to install SQL Server (like a desktop install, or use Docker), or use the cloud offerings.

One reason why I went to using Azure SQL Edge for development purposes is the fact it works on ARM based processors. The normal versions of SQL Server support x86. Furthermore, part of our development pipeline is to have the option to have a "clean slate" by removing volumes, recreating, and then loading data so it's closer to what is needed for development purposes. In other words, it's a script.

Is there a good reason why Azure SQL Edge is being retired? As I'm guessing from the name, it's likely more a dev copy that'll go into what will be SQL Server 2024. Maybe I'm incorrect about that, but when the goal is to have code tested against what is in production, then architecture matters. Having development on SQL Server requires either servers for developers to use, or it hosted in the cloud. I'm not a fan of either option.

Answer 1

Hi Thole, David Michael •,

Thanks for your patience.

Below is the response from the internal team:

We typically evaluate & support new platforms / operating system for major versions of SQL Server.

• One reason why I went to using Azure SQL Edge for development purposes is the fact it works on ARM based processors.
• The normal versions of SQL Server support x86.

While the SQL Server Linux containers are not ARM-compatible containers, you can install them in Docker after enabling the Rosetta emulation for the Apple M1 platforms. This emulation allows you to run x86,x64, & amd64 containers.

Similarly, Windows on Arm supports Prism emulation to run x86, x64 & amd64 containers. Docker announced support for this too last year.

https://www.docker.com/blog/announcing-docker-desktop-support-for-windows-on-arm/

You can also install LocalDB on Windows on Arm devices. This is a private user instance, and you can create a project for the CI/CD pipeline, use it and remove it without doing any specific uninstall steps. It is like removing a container.

These solutions will not provide a SQL Server compatible that is mostly compatible with the Azure SQL Database (like the SQL Edge container). But this along with database project targeted to SQL Database should suffice for development purposes.

If you have more queries, please feel free to raise support case so that dedicated engineer can get involved over other mediums, understand and assist you better.

Hope this helps.

Let us know if you need other assistance.

Thanks