Azure SQL databases are fully managed relational storage units, offering a range of options for your business. To ensure peak performance and optimal resource utilization, Azure SQL databases operate with their own metric: Database Transaction Units (DTU).
DThuh?
Database Transaction Units, or simply DTUs, are a combined measure that give you a complete picture of the performance capacity of your Azure SQL Database. Microsoft designed these practical units to make it much easier for you to select the right performance level for your database. In short, DTUs cover three key resources: CPU, memory, and data I/O.
Why is a DTU calculation important?
Azure SQL databases offer various performance tiers, each with different DTU levels. Your workload and performance requirements determine which tier is most suitable for your database. But how do you know which one is the best fit for you? By conducting a nuanced DTU calculation based on three components:
- CPU: The processing power your database requires to execute queries and transactions.
- Memory: The amount of RAM you need to efficiently cache and process data.
- Data-I/O: The input/output operations per second (IOPS). This is what you need to access and retrieve data from your storage.
By choosing the right DTU level, you can optimize performance without consuming too many resources. To assist you in this decision, Microsoft has designed a handy Azure SQL DTU Calculator. This tool takes into account various important factors, such as your transaction volume, the complexity of your queries, and the size of your data.