SQL Server 2025

Microsoft Ignite 2024: SQL Server 2025 and Microsoft Fabric Database Announcements

Microsoft announced major updates at Ignite 2024, focusing on SQL Server 2025 and the Fabric Database in Microsoft Fabric. These innovations are set to simplify AI app development, optimize performance, and bring Azure's advanced capabilities to on-premises environments.

Key Updates in SQL Server 2025

SQL Server 2025 introduces several features, bringing Azure SQL Database innovations to on-premises environments:

1. AI Integration:
   • Call AI services directly from T-SQL: Use sp_invoke_external_rest_endpoint to call services like ChatGPT or external REST APIs, enabling integration with Azure OpenAI.
   • Vector Data Support: Includes native vector data types, vector indexes, and DiskANN for efficient AI model support (e.g., for RAG models).
   • AI Model Connectivity: Connect external AI models via APIs, enabling queries to leverage external AI functionality.
2. Enhanced Performance:
   • Optimized Locking: Improved locking mechanisms based on Azure SQL DB optimizations.
   • Intelligent Query Processing: Automatically adjusts queries for optimal performance.
   • In-Memory and Analytics Performance: Faster analytics workloads, machine learning inference, and reduced query execution times.
3. Fabric Database Mirroring:
   • Near-Real-Time Data Replication: Replicates data to Microsoft Fabric’s OneLake for unified analytics and operational workloads.
4. Regular Expressions in T-SQL:
   • Native support for regex in T-SQL enhances query flexibility.
5. Optional Parameter Plan Optimization (OPPO):
   • Previously known as PSPO, this feature improves execution plans by handling optional query parameters more effectively.
6. Hybrid and Cloud Innovations:
   • Azure Arc Integration: Manage SQL Server 2025 in hybrid environments seamlessly.
   • Private Preview Sign-Up: Early testers can participate in private previews to evaluate the product and share feedback with Microsoft.

What’s New in Microsoft Fabric Database

Microsoft Fabric Database was also unveiled, expanding Microsoft Fabric from an analytics platform to a unified data and AI platform:

1. Key Features:
   • Native AI Support: Includes vector data and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities, enabling AI app development.
   • Simplified Deployment: Create databases in seconds with minimal configuration.
   • SQL Analytics Endpoint: Provides near-real-time replication of operational data to OneLake for unified analytics and operational workloads.
   • Copilot Integration:
     • Multi-turn chat and in-line query assistance to simplify SQL workflows.
     • Built-in support for popular tools like VS Code and SSMS.
   • Source Control: Integrates with GitHub and Azure DevOps for version control and complex workflows.
2. Unified Fabric Ecosystem:
   • OneLake Integration: Data lands in open-source Delta Parquet format, accessible across Fabric for Notebooks, Lakehouses, Power BI, and more.
   • Unified Billing: Operates under Fabric’s capacity model, with auto-scaling compute to minimize costs.
3. Autonomous and Secure:
   • Autonomous scaling, Intelligent Query Processing, auto-patching, and high availability.
   • Advanced security features: Microsoft Entra authentication, encryption (at rest and in transit), Private Link, and integration with Microsoft Purview for governance.
4. Optimized for AI Applications:
   • Leverages tools like LangChain and Semantic Kernel.
   • Integrates with Azure AI Foundry for broader AI capabilities.
   • Supports both structured and unstructured data for advanced AI workloads.

Why These Updates Matter

SQL Server 2025:

• Extends Azure SQL DB innovations to on-premises environments.
• Empowers organizations to integrate AI seamlessly, with enhanced performance and scalability.

Microsoft Fabric Database:

• Simplifies AI app development through unified data and AI workflows.
• Strengthens operational and analytics integration with near-real-time data replication in OneLake.

Conclusion

The announcements at Microsoft Ignite 2024 highlight Microsoft’s commitment to innovation in data and AI. SQL Server 2025 and Microsoft Fabric Database are powerful tools to build the next generation of AI-powered applications, unifying operational and analytical workflows while enhancing performance, security, and scalability.