The complexity of managing business-critical Microsoft SQL Server workloads with Kubernetes, especially across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures, can stall many organizations’ modernization plans. However, DH2i’s new DxOperator tool aims to change that dynamic with automated deployment and simplified management capabilities purpose-built for SQL Server Availability Groups in Kubernetes environments.
As DH2i CEO Don Boxley explained, the main goal was to simplify Kubernetes for the SQL Server user base: “Inexperience with Kubernetes is a common barrier that prevents experienced IT professionals from taking advantage of the tremendous scalability, flexibility, and cost-saving benefits of SQL Server containerization.” By reducing setup time from 30 minutes to “just a few minutes”, DXOperator unlocks the path to containerization.
SQL Server High Availability Load Mitigation
For critical SQL Server workloads where uptime is paramount, the complexity of configuring high availability can also prevent cloud and container migration. And this is where DxOperator steps in to remove obstacles.
“SQL Server hosts an organization’s most business-critical workloads, so Kubernetes’ inherent downtime latency (5-minute downtime windows for module redeployment) was completely inadequate for organizations that often target ‘5 nines’ levels of uptime,” Boxley said.
DxOperator is based on DH2 and existing DxEnterprise software that has been providing microsecond fast SQL Server failover for over a decade. This same capability now extends to availability groups in Kubernetes, enabling true high availability.
Simplifying the potential of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud
What makes DxOperator uniquely valuable is its consistent approach across on-premise, public cloud and hybrid infrastructure. As Boxley explained, “Our customers’ environments are becoming increasingly heterogeneous, and we’ve always been committed to infrastructure-agnostic, cross-platform software solutions.”
DxOperator simplifies configuration and maintains availability guarantees regardless of the underlying platform — including hybrid cloud and multi-cloud architectures. Automation flexibly adapts to each target environment.
“In the past, ambitious goals like cloud vendor diversification were little more than pipe dreams for most companies. However, we’re witnessing evidence that organizations are increasingly looking at every available way to increase SQL Server resiliency, especially as cross-platform technologies like DxEnterprise emerge to simplify and support these complex environments,” Boxley said.
Key features and integration of DxOperator
So what exactly does DxOperator do under the hood? As a Kubernetes controller, it was natively integrated to take advantage of underlying constructs like pods and nodes. The tool handles a number of complex configurations such as storage settings, container resource allocations, pod naming conventions, and configurable synchronous or asynchronous replication.
“Deployment automation handles complex configurations such as custom annotations, specific container specifications, and quality of service parameters, and makes deployment achievable in just minutes, unlocking ultimate scalability,” Boxley summarized.
For infrastructure-as-code and DevOps best practices, adoption of DxOperator is easy, with the ability to easily script deployment and orchestration using Kubernetes standards such as Helm graphs. Meanwhile, background monitoring, logging, and troubleshooting leverage native Kubernetes interfaces.
“DxOperator is a first-class Kubernetes controller for SQL Server containers. Therefore, it monitors and takes real-time corrective actions on SQL Server containers if a failure is detected for any of the managed SQL containers. Every event, every action, and every anomaly health is fully logged. ‘ “Kubectl logs’ can be used on a DxOperator or SQL Server container at any time for diagnostics or log scraping,” Boxley explained.
Getting started with SQL Server and Kubernetes
For those new to SQL Server on Kubernetes, simplicity and automation should be top priorities, according to Boxley:
“Your best approach is to familiarize yourself with available solutions that can help reduce the learning curve and integrate as much automation as possible. For example, DxOperator is a very powerful tool with its ability to automate SQL Server Availability Group deployments and handle complex configurations.”
Complementary tools such as SUSE Rancher can facilitate Kubernetes administration through its graphical user interface. Taking advantage of robust, specialized solutions for deploying and managing SQL Server workloads enables organizations to overcome knowledge gaps and focus on business applications rather than infrastructure complexity.
Leveraging DxOperator for simplified, automated high-availability configuration of SQL Server on Kubernetes brings the promise of seamless hybrid and multi-cloud flexibility closer to reality even for demanding mission-critical workloads. Innovations often do not come from building completely new things, but from refining and expanding access to existing technologies. For SQL Server HA on Kubernetes, that innovation is DxOperator.