SQL Azure Data Sync Agent Preview 4.0.46.0 Available

A newly updated tool to provide synchronization between on-premises SQL Server data and SQL Azure databases is now available for download.

Called SQL Azure Data Sync Agent, the new utility is meant to be installed on a local server, where it will run as a Windows Service, Microsoft explains.

Data Sync Agent is meant to work in conjunction with the SQL Azure Data Sync service, which was designed to offer syncing capabilities for SQL Azure databases.

Through this web service, data can be synchronized between on-premises SQL Server databases and SQL Azure databases. It was also designed to offer syncing capabilities for multiple SQL Azure databases.

“The Data Sync Agent is installed on a local server and runs as a Windows service. It can be installed on a database server or on any server that can communicate with the SQL Server databases,” Microsoft explains.

“The SQL Server databases to be synchronized are registered with the Agent; it then securely transfers data changes between the SQL Server databases and the SQL Azure Data Sync service.”

The agent has been designed to work on both x86 and x64 computers, and it offers support for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 or higher. It also requires database of SQL Server 2005 SP2 or higher. Additional info on the prerequisites for the Agent can be found on Microsoft’s website.

“SQL Azure Data Sync works best with SQL Server 2008 R2 and later including SQL Server 2012 as support for SQL Azure was added to the SQL Server Management Studio since SQL Server 2008 R2,” Microsoft explains.

“The local agent enables synchronizing instances of on-premises SQL Servers. The local agent can be installed on any machine that meets the hardware and OS requirements whether or not it has an instance of SQL Server installed.”

The latest version of the SQL Azure Data Sync Agent is available only as an update for the preview flavor of the tool. You can learn more on how to update the preview variant of the SQL Azure Data Sync Agent at Microsoft.

Download SQL Azure Data Sync Agent Preview 4.0.46.0