# Scaling Up Azure Database

Microsoft Azure provides Platform as a Service (PaaS) Database Engine through the Azure SQL Database platform. This enables easy scaling with zero downtime.

Microsoft Azure offers two different purchasing models to provide cost-efficiency:

* Database Transaction Unit (DTU)-Based purchasing model.
* Virtual Core (vCore)-Based purchasing model.

You can see the comparison of both the models [here](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/purchasing-models?view=azuresql).

### **DTU-based purchasing model**

DTU-based purchasing model means that you would receive preconfigured bundle that covers the CPU capabilities and memory capacity under fixed monthly payments. This model is available in Basic, Standard, and Premium service tiers. Let us see the steps to configure standard tier.

### Configuration steps for Standard tier

1. Select the SQL database from the Inforiver resource group.
2. Under the **Settings** menu, click on **Compute + storage.**
3. Choose the Service tier to **Standard.**

<figure><img src="/files/n1Mxyu2JweR8K2HnQQ96" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Standard Tier in DTU based Model</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

4. You will see a slider representing the available performance levels in terms of DTUs. Move the slider to select the desired number of DTUs for your database.
5. As you move the slider, the corresponding pricing and performance details will be displayed. Review them to understand the impact of the change.
6. Once you have selected the desired number of DTUs, click on **Apply** button to initiate the scaling operation.

### **vCore purchasing model**

If you choose this model, you have to specify the hardware characteristics you want to have such as memory, storage, the number of cores, etc. as per your needs. Service tier options in the vCore purchasing model include General Purpose, Business Critical, and Hyperscale. Let us now configure for the general purpose tier.

### Configuration steps for General Purpose tier

1. Select the Inforiver database from Inforiver resource group.
2. Under the **Settings** menu, click on **Compute + storage.**
3. Select the Service tier to **General Purpose.**

<figure><img src="/files/xNMmAusuO2hcQGvyEbrW" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>General Purpose Tier in Vcore Model</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

4. Choose between the Provisioned compute tier or the Serverless compute tier.
5. You can also change the Hardware Configuration.
6. You will see a slider representing the available performance levels in terms of Vcores. Move the slider to select the desired number of vCores for your database.
7. Below the vCore slider, you can also adjust the storage capacity if needed. Click on the **Configure storage** link to specify the storage capacity in gigabytes (GB).
8. Click on **Apply** button to initiate the scaling operation.


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