Action required: Upgrade Azure SQL Database 2014-04-01 APIs to a newer version by 31 October 2025

Question

Hello All, I received an email from MS Azure stipulating that I need to update my Azure SQL Server API's to a newer version. Here is what was stated in the email:

Azure SQL Database 2014-04-01 APIs will be retired on 31 October 2025 You're receiving this email because you use Azure SQL Database APIs. To improve performance and security, we're updating Azure SQL Database APIs. As part of this, all version 2014-04-01 APIs will be retired on 31 October 2025. You'll need to update your resources, including templates, tools, scripts, and programs, to use a newer API version by then. Any API calls still using the older versions after that date will stop working until you've updated them. Required action To avoid potential service disruptions, upgrade any Azure SQL Database resources that use version 2014-04-01 APIs to a newer stable version by 31 October 2025.

I require assistance in determining the necessary actions for updating. I have reviewed the documentation provided by Azure, but I found it challenging to comprehend. I reviewed my ARM template for my Azure SQL Database and noticed below resources have 2014-04-01 API version :

1. Advisors:
   • Type: Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/advisors
     • API Version: 2014-04-01
       • Instances:

         - iMIS-PROD-Archive/CreateIndex
         
               - iMIS-PROD-Archive/DbParameterization
         
                     - iMIS-PROD-Archive/DefragmentIndex
         
                           - iMIS-PROD-Archive/DropIndex
         
                                 - iMIS-PROD-Archive/ForceLastGoodPlan
         

2. Auditing Policies:

• Type: Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/auditingPolicies
• API Version: 2014-04-01
  • Instance:
    • iMIS-PROD-Archive/Default
    How shall this be upgraded? Is there testing required and can I create free testing environment or can these be upgraded without testing?

Answer 1

Hi ,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

The email indicates that the 2014-04-01 API version will be retired. You need to:

• Identify all resources in your environment that rely on this API version.
• Confirm the newer supported API versions from Azure documentation (e.g., 2021-02-01 or later).

The resources identified in your ARM template include:

• Advisors: Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/advisors
• Auditing Policies: Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/auditingPolicies

These resources must be updated to use a newer API version.

If you are managing Azure resources via an ARM template, you’ll need to:

• Update the API version for each resource in the template.
• Replace all occurrences of 2014-04-01 with the newer API version.

Testing Environment

• You can create a free Azure testing environment using the Azure Free Tier or a sandbox subscription if you want to test changes.
• Deploy a copy of your ARM template to a testing subscription or a new resource group.

Validation Checklist

• After updating your ARM template, deploy it to the test environment.
• Validate the functionality:
  • Are the resources created correctly?
  • Is the database functioning as expected?
  • Are monitoring and auditing policies still working?

1. Deploy the updated template to your production resource group.
2. Monitor for any issues post-deployment.
3. Ensure that you have a backup of your database before making changes.
4. Export your current ARM template for rollback purposes.
5. If you face issues, open a support ticket with Microsoft Azure.

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