Which SQL Server PaaS offering should you choose to restore an on-premises database backup to Azure?

The Azure SQL Managed Instance is the appropriate choice for restoring an on-premises database backup to Azure due to its close resemblance to an on-premises SQL Server database environment. This managed service is designed to support the migration of SQL Server applications to Azure with minimal changes to the application code and a high degree of compatibility with on-premises SQL Server features.

One of the key benefits of Azure SQL Managed Instance is its ability to restore from existing SQL Server backups, which allows for a more seamless transition of workloads from on-premises environments to the cloud. This functionality includes support for features like SQL Server Agent and cross-database queries, making it an ideal target for organizations looking to maintain their current database functionality in a managed cloud environment.

In contrast, Azure SQL Database is a multi-tenant database service that does not support restoring from .bak files natively, which makes it less suitable for this specific scenario. SQL Virtual Machines provide full control over the SQL Server environment, but they also involve more management overhead compared to managed instances. Azure Data Warehouse, which is designed for analytics workloads, is not intended for traditional transactional databases and would not accommodate a standard SQL Server backup restoration.

Overall, Azure SQL Managed Instance effectively bridges the gap between on-premises SQL Server