1. [Home](https://www.g2.com/) 2. ... 3. [Database Management Systems (DBMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-management-systems-dbms) 4. [Azure SQL Server Stretch Database Discussions](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-sql-server-stretch-database/discuss) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-sql-server-stretch-database.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ](/products/azure-sql-server-stretch-database/reviews) [ Azure SQL Server Stretch Database ](/products/azure-sql-server-stretch-database/reviews) (17)4.1/5 Azure SQL Server Stretch Database was a feature introduced in SQL Server 2016 that allowed organizations to dynamically extend their on-premises databases to Azure, enabling seamless access to both hot and cold data without significant changes to existing applications. This capability provided virtually unlimited storage and compute capacity, facilitating efficient management of large datasets. Key Features and Functionality: - Dynamic Data Stretching: Automatically migrate cold or infrequently accessed data from on-premises SQL Server databases to Azure, while keeping hot data on-premises for optimal performance. - Transparent Query Processing: Execute queries across both on-premises and Azure-stored data without modifying existing applications, as the process is transparent to users. - Integrated Security: Utilize Always Encrypted technology to ensure that sensitive data is encrypted before being transferred to Azure, with encryption keys remaining on-premises. - Scalability: Leverage Azure's scalable storage and compute resources to manage growing data volumes without the need for significant infrastructure investments. Primary Value and User Solutions: Azure SQL Server Stretch Database addressed the challenges of managing large and growing datasets by providing a cost-effective solution for archiving cold data without compromising accessibility. It enabled organizations to maintain compliance with data retention policies and regulatory requirements by keeping data online and readily available. By offloading cold data to Azure, businesses could optimize on-premises storage and compute resources, leading to improved performance and reduced maintenance costs. However, it's important to note that Microsoft announced the deprecation of the SQL Server Stretch Database feature in SQL Server 2022, with the supporting Azure service retired as of July 9, 2024. Organizations are advised to explore alternative solutions for managing cold data, such as utilizing the CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE AS SELECT (CETaS) feature in SQL Server 2022, which allows archiving data to Azure Storage in Parquet format for cost-effective storage and analytics. Show More * * * ### 31.0 Nps Score Already have Azure SQL Server Stretch Database? ### All Azure SQL Server Stretch Database Discussions Search Most CommentedMost HelpfulCommon QuestionsNewest All DiscussionsDiscussions with CommentsCommon QuestionsDiscussions without Comments FilterFilter Filter byExpand/Collapse Sort by Most Commented Most Helpful Common Questions Newest Filter by All Discussions Discussions with Comments Common Questions Discussions without Comments ![Pinned by G2 as a common question](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Pinned by G2 as a common question") G2 Pinned by G2 as a common question • over 3 years ago More Options - [ # What is stretch database in SQL Server? ](/discussions/what-is-stretch-database-in-sql-server) What is stretch database in SQL Server? [ Database Management Systems (DBMS) ](https://www.g2.com/tags/database-management-systems-dbms) * * * (true)\<0\>0\>Upvotes (false) * * * 1 Comment [![linkedin](/assets/social-logos/linkedin-afe65e46604a5bd5105ab9c856116204040b6b3f2b2d42562fc8071ca0c48ca0.svg "linkedin")](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&summary=Ask+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+questions+and+get+answers+from+expert+users+in+our+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+section.&title=Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+%7C+G2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss) [![twitter](/assets/social-logos/twitter-61aaec80434c71387b8f7326e480592eae71c0a65afd051d66fce9b75a9bf417.svg "twitter")](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+%7C+G2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss&via=G2dotcom) [![facebook](/assets/social-logos/facebook-350d0b410d6b10debcf893050e803a8633d53561aa42807b087b8daf9be3668f.svg "facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss) [![gmail](/assets/social-logos/gmail-6db42f21e7c254fae201b112bef0dd15d25223a5cbb32691ce80eab43761eadf.svg "gmail")](https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=&su=Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+%7C+G2&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss%0aAsk+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+questions+and+get+answers+from+expert+users+in+our+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+section.) [![mail](/assets/social-logos/mail-d55c53b04bf49872e40cd2443b85a99caa23394e6cf154ae32a9d08377c15d86.svg "mail")](mailto:?subject=Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+%7C+G2&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss%0aAsk+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+questions+and+get+answers+from+expert+users+in+our+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+section.) ![copy_link](/assets/social-logos/copy_link-05d8dc5dc8576fc78425ad34d07241b060878835e555a30417ff41c18335e575.svg "copy\_link") ![Alexander M H.](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Alexander M H.") AH Loading... [Alexander M H.](https://www.g2.com/users/883f29ac-e4f5-4e2d-b4e5-dccde7ffb9b2 "Alexander M H.") • about 6 years ago Data Analyst at The Walt Disney Company Data Analyst at The Walt Disney Company More Options - [ # What is a similar product? Who are its' competitors? ](/discussions/32519-what-is-a-similar-product-who-are-its-competitors) n/a [ Database Management Systems (DBMS) Software ](https://www.g2.com/tags/database-management-systems-dbms-software) * * * (true)\<0\>0\>Upvotes (false) * * * 1 Comment [![linkedin](/assets/social-logos/linkedin-afe65e46604a5bd5105ab9c856116204040b6b3f2b2d42562fc8071ca0c48ca0.svg "linkedin")](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&summary=Ask+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+questions+and+get+answers+from+expert+users+in+our+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+section.&title=Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+%7C+G2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss) [![twitter](/assets/social-logos/twitter-61aaec80434c71387b8f7326e480592eae71c0a65afd051d66fce9b75a9bf417.svg "twitter")](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+%7C+G2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss&via=G2dotcom) [![facebook](/assets/social-logos/facebook-350d0b410d6b10debcf893050e803a8633d53561aa42807b087b8daf9be3668f.svg "facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss) [![gmail](/assets/social-logos/gmail-6db42f21e7c254fae201b112bef0dd15d25223a5cbb32691ce80eab43761eadf.svg "gmail")](https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=&su=Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+%7C+G2&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss%0aAsk+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+questions+and+get+answers+from+expert+users+in+our+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+section.) [![mail](/assets/social-logos/mail-d55c53b04bf49872e40cd2443b85a99caa23394e6cf154ae32a9d08377c15d86.svg "mail")](mailto:?subject=Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+%7C+G2&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss%0aAsk+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+questions+and+get+answers+from+expert+users+in+our+Azure+SQL+Server+Stretch+Database+Discussions+section.) ![copy_link](/assets/social-logos/copy_link-05d8dc5dc8576fc78425ad34d07241b060878835e555a30417ff41c18335e575.svg "copy\_link") ## Start a New Software Discussion Have a software question? Get answers from real users and experts [Start A Discussion](/products/azure-sql-server-stretch-database/discussions/new?entry_point=discussions%23product) * * * ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-sql-server-stretch-database.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ### Have you used Azure SQL Server Stretch Database before? Answer a few questions to help the Azure SQL Server Stretch Database community [ Yes ](javascript:void(0))[ Yes ](https://www.g2.com/login?context=product_review&return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fazure-sql-server-stretch-database%2Fdiscuss%3Fsmall_ask%3Dazure-sql-server-stretch-database) No ## Top Contributors in Azure SQL Server Stretch Database 1 ![Jean D.](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Jean D.") JD Loading... ### [Jean D.](https://www.g2.com/users/125f2ddc-1a0a-4d3d-972e-0a38d9c049f5 "Jean D.") Technical Analyst 1 pt 2 ![Felicity B.](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Felicity B.") FB Loading... ### [Felicity B.](https://www.g2.com/users/d150b0e4-22cd-4e73-83f6-ac2133dd53e3 "Felicity B.") -- 1 pt