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Advanced DBA Program · L3 · Production Focus

Azure SQL & Advanced Performance Tuning

An advanced, hands-on DBA program designed for professionals who already support SQL Server in production and want to operate confidently at a senior (L3) level across on-premises and Azure environments.

The course focuses on real production behavior — performance bottlenecks, availability failures, migration risks, and architectural trade-offs — covering SQL Server internals, Azure infrastructure, Always On availability, Azure SQL Database (PaaS), and advanced performance tuning techniques used by experienced DBAs.

Start Date: 5 January 2026 Schedule: Monday to Friday Time: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM IST Mode: Live instructor-led sessions + recordings Level: Advanced DBA (L3)

Course Snapshot

Course Level
Advanced DBA (L3)
Designed for professionals already managing SQL Server in production
Primary Focus
Production Troubleshooting
Performance bottlenecks, outages, HA/DR issues, and root-cause analysis
Platforms Covered
On-Prem & Azure
SQL Server on Azure VM, Azure SQL Database (PaaS), and hybrid workloads
Delivery Mode
Live + Recording
Instructor-led sessions with recordings for structured revision
Schedule
Weekday Morning Batch
Monday to Friday · 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM IST
Learning Approach
Hands-On & Scenario-Based
Practical labs aligned with real enterprise DBA workflows
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Full Course Curriculum

Below is the complete, transparent syllabus for the Azure SQL & Advanced Performance Tuning (L3 DBA) program. The curriculum is structured in progressive parts, moving from Azure fundamentals to advanced high availability, migration, and deep performance troubleshooting based on real production scenarios.

Part 1 — Azure & SQL Server on Azure

Module 1: Azure Fundamentals for SQL Server DBAs
  • Traditional IT infrastructure vs cloud computing
  • Public, private, and hybrid cloud models
  • IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS responsibility models
  • Microsoft Azure global architecture overview
  • Regions, availability zones, and resiliency concepts
  • Azure subscriptions and resource groups
Hands-on Labs: Create Azure subscription, resource groups, deploy Windows VM, connect using RDP
Module 2: SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
  • SQL Server architecture on Azure IaaS
  • Compute sizing and VM selection for SQL Server
  • Azure storage options (Premium SSD, Ultra Disk)
  • Data, log, and TempDB disk design
  • Networking fundamentals for SQL Server
  • Security and monitoring basics
Hands-on Labs: Install SQL Server on Azure VM, configure disks, validate performance and connectivity

Part 2 — High Availability on Azure (Cluster & Always On)

Module 3: Windows Failover Clustering on Azure
  • High availability concepts and clustering fundamentals
  • Windows Server Failover Cluster (WSFC) architecture
  • Active-Active vs Active-Passive cluster designs
  • Quorum models and vote assignment strategies
  • Cloud Witness configuration and behavior
  • Azure networking considerations for WSFC
  • Azure-specific cluster limitations and best practices
Hands-on Labs: Build Windows Failover Cluster on Azure, configure Cloud Witness, validate quorum behavior, simulate node failure
Module 4: Always On Availability Groups on Azure
  • Always On Availability Group architecture and components
  • Replica roles and synchronization modes
  • Synchronous vs asynchronous replication behavior
  • Single-subnet Always On design in Azure
  • Always On listener configuration using Azure Load Balancer
  • Multi-subnet listener concepts and scenarios
  • Cross-region Always On design considerations
Hands-on Labs: Enable Always On, create Availability Group, add secondary replicas, configure AG listener, perform planned failover
Module 5: Advanced Always On Scenarios & Troubleshooting
  • Distributed Availability Groups architecture
  • Data synchronization latency analysis
  • Monitoring replica health and synchronization state
  • Planned vs forced failover decision-making
  • Common Always On failure patterns in production
  • Azure-specific Always On troubleshooting scenarios
Hands-on Labs: Configure Distributed Availability Groups, simulate latency, perform forced failover, troubleshoot synchronization issues

Part 3 — Azure SQL Database (PaaS)

Module 6: Azure SQL Database Fundamentals
  • Azure SQL Database architecture and service model
  • Logical server, database, and elastic pool concepts
  • Azure SQL Database vs SQL Server feature comparison
  • DTU vs vCore purchasing models
  • Compute, storage, and scaling options
  • Service tier selection and cost considerations
Hands-on Labs: Deploy Azure SQL Database, compare DTU vs vCore models, scale compute and storage
Module 7: Backup, Restore & High Availability in Azure SQL
  • Automatic backup architecture in Azure SQL Database
  • Point-in-Time Restore (PITR) concepts and limitations
  • Long-term backup retention (LTR)
  • Active geo-replication
  • Auto-failover groups and failover behavior
Hands-on Labs: Perform PITR restore, configure LTR, set up geo-replication, test auto-failover
Module 8: Security & Connectivity in Azure SQL
  • Azure SQL firewall rules and network access control
  • Public access vs private endpoint connectivity
  • Authentication options (SQL, Azure AD)
  • Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
  • Auditing and threat detection
  • Dynamic data masking and data protection features
Hands-on Labs: Configure firewall rules, set up private endpoint, enable TDE and auditing, troubleshoot connectivity

Part 4 — Migration (On-Prem to Azure)

Module 9: Migration Planning & Assessment
  • Business and technical drivers for cloud migration
  • Lift-and-shift vs re-platforming vs modernization
  • Downtime planning and migration windows
  • Compatibility level and feature assessment
  • Identifying blockers and risk areas
  • Pre-migration checklist for SQL Server workloads
Hands-on Labs: Run Data Migration Assistant (DMA), identify compatibility issues, create migration readiness report
Module 10: Migration Methods & Tools
  • Azure Data Studio migration workflows
  • Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) architecture
  • Offline vs online migration approaches
  • BACPAC import and export scenarios
  • Transactional replication for near-zero downtime
  • Choosing the right migration method per workload
Hands-on Labs: Migrate database using Azure Data Studio, perform offline migration with DMS, import database using BACPAC
Module 11: Post-Migration Validation & Optimization
  • Login and security object migration
  • Fixing orphan users and permission issues
  • Application connectivity validation
  • Performance baseline comparison (pre vs post migration)
  • Post-migration performance tuning considerations
  • Common post-migration issues and resolutions
Hands-on Labs: Migrate logins, fix orphan users, validate application access, compare pre- and post-migration performance

Part 5 — Advanced SQL Server Performance Tuning (L3)

Module 12: SQL Server Internals & Wait Statistics
  • SQL Server engine architecture and core components
  • SQL OS internals and scheduling model
  • Workers, schedulers, and task queues
  • Understanding wait types and wait categories
  • Mapping waits to underlying system bottlenecks
  • Separating symptoms from root causes
Hands-on Labs: Capture wait statistics, analyze top waits, correlate waits to root causes
Module 13: Storage & I/O Performance
  • SQL Server I/O internals and read/write patterns
  • Data file, log file, and TempDB I/O behavior
  • Identifying I/O latency and throughput issues
  • TempDB contention scenarios and mitigation
  • Storage performance testing methodologies
Hands-on Labs: Analyze I/O latency, detect TempDB contention, validate storage performance
Module 14: Memory & CPU Performance
  • Windows memory architecture for SQL Server
  • SQL Server memory management and clerks
  • NUMA architecture and CPU affinity
  • Identifying memory pressure and CPU pressure
  • MAX server memory and MAXDOP configuration
Hands-on Labs: Analyze memory pressure, tune MAX server memory, configure MAXDOP
Module 15: Concurrency, Locking & Deadlocks
  • Transaction isolation levels
  • Lock types and lock escalation
  • Blocking chains and head-of-line blocking
  • Deadlock detection and interpretation
  • Concurrency tuning strategies
Hands-on Labs: Capture blocking chains, analyze deadlock graphs, resolve concurrency issues
Module 16: Indexes, Statistics & Cardinality Estimation
  • Index architecture and access methods
  • Statistics internals and update behavior
  • Cardinality estimation concepts
  • Rowstore vs columnstore indexes
  • Index maintenance strategies
Hands-on Labs: Identify missing indexes, rebuild vs reorganize indexes, update statistics
Module 17: Query Tuning & Execution Plan Analysis
  • Query execution lifecycle
  • Reading and interpreting execution plans
  • Parameter sniffing and plan instability
  • Query Store for plan regression analysis
  • Query rewrite and tuning strategies
Hands-on Labs: Analyze slow queries, fix parameter sniffing, use Query Store for plan analysis
Module 18: Plan Cache & Extended Events
  • Plan cache architecture and behavior
  • Recompilation triggers and issues
  • Extended Events architecture
  • Designing Extended Events sessions
  • Troubleshooting real production incidents
Hands-on Labs: Analyze plan cache issues, capture data with Extended Events, troubleshoot production scenarios

Course Highlights

Coverage
End-to-End Azure SQL & DBA
Comprehensive coverage of SQL Server on-premises, SQL Server on Azure VMs, and Azure SQL Database (PaaS) from a DBA’s operational perspective.
Troubleshooting
Real Production Scenarios (L3)
Learn how to diagnose and resolve real production issues including performance degradation, outages, and HA/DR failures.
High Availability
Always On & HA/DR on Azure
Deep, practical coverage of Always On Availability Groups, clustering concepts, and Azure-specific HA designs.
Performance
Advanced Performance Tuning
Analyze waits, execution plans, Query Store, and Extended Events to identify root causes of complex performance problems.
Migration
On-Prem to Azure Migration
Plan, execute, and validate migrations with minimal downtime, including post-migration performance tuning.
Practice
Hands-On & Scenario Driven
Every major topic includes structured labs aligned with real enterprise DBA workflows and operational responsibilities.

Why This Course Exists

Most SQL Server and Azure training programs focus on features, commands, and basic configurations. They explain what to click or how to enable something, but rarely explain why systems fail, where performance breaks down, or how senior DBAs actually troubleshoot production incidents.

In real enterprise environments, databases do not fail in isolation. Performance problems are usually the result of multiple interacting factors — storage latency, memory pressure, CPU contention, poor query patterns, suboptimal indexing, or incorrect high availability design. Generic courses do not prepare DBAs for this reality.

This course exists to bridge that gap. It is designed around the way L3 DBAs think and operate — starting from symptoms, analyzing signals, correlating metrics, and arriving at root causes under real production pressure.

Instead of isolated topics, the curriculum connects SQL Server internals, Azure infrastructure, Always On availability, and performance tuning into a single operational mindset. The goal is not certification-style knowledge, but the ability to make confident decisions when systems are slow, unstable, or failing.

This is why the course emphasizes hands-on labs, real-world scenarios, and production-style troubleshooting — preparing participants to move beyond routine administration and operate as senior, production-ready DBAs.

Who Should Join

This program is designed for professionals who already work with SQL Server and want to build confidence in handling production, performance, and Azure-based workloads.

  • SQL Server DBAs supporting on-premises or Azure-hosted production systems
  • Senior support engineers handling database performance and incident escalations
  • Infrastructure or system DBAs transitioning into Azure SQL environments
  • Professionals preparing for senior DBA, lead DBA, or cloud DBA roles
  • DBAs involved in HA/DR, migration, or performance tuning projects
Important: This is an advanced (L3-level) course. It assumes prior experience with SQL Server administration and focuses on real production scenarios rather than introductory or certification-only topics.
Looking for a complete SQL Server DBA learning path — from SQL Server fundamentals to advanced on-prem administration, Azure SQL, and advanced performance tuning?

If you are unsure which level is right for you, you can connect with industry mentors for guidance on the most suitable learning path.

What You Will Be Able To Do

By the end of this program, you will be able to operate confidently as a production-ready DBA, applying structured thinking and practical skills to complex SQL Server and Azure environments.

  • Design, deploy, and manage SQL Server workloads on both on-premises infrastructure and Azure platforms
  • Diagnose and resolve complex performance problems using waits, execution plans, Query Store, and Extended Events
  • Design and troubleshoot Always On Availability Groups and high availability architectures in Azure
  • Identify root causes of CPU, memory, and I/O pressure and apply appropriate corrective actions
  • Plan and execute on-prem to Azure migrations with minimal downtime and post-migration validation
  • Secure and manage Azure SQL Database (PaaS) including backup, restore, and connectivity scenarios
  • Respond to live production incidents with a structured troubleshooting approach rather than trial-and-error
  • Communicate technical findings and decisions clearly to application teams, architects, and management

Schedule, Delivery & Rules

Batch Schedule
Start Date: 5th January 2026
Days: Monday to Friday
Time: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM IST
Delivery Format
Instructor-led live sessions conducted online, with interactive discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on walkthroughs.
Session Recordings
Session recordings will be shared for revision purposes. Recordings are intended to support learning continuity and are not a replacement for live participation.
Hands-On Practice
Participants are expected to actively follow along during labs and exercises using their own practice environments to gain maximum benefit.
• This is a live, instructor-driven program; regular attendance is strongly recommended for effective learning.
• Recordings are provided for revision and missed sessions, but active participation during live classes yields the best outcomes.
• The course focuses on practical, production-oriented learning; participants should allocate time outside sessions for practice.
• Questions are encouraged during sessions, especially around real-world scenarios and use cases.
• Basic familiarity with SQL Server administration is expected before joining this advanced-level program.

Final Learning Outcomes

After completing this program, participants will be able to operate confidently in complex SQL Server and Azure environments, applying structured thinking and hands-on experience to real production challenges.

  • Work independently with SQL Server across on-premises, Azure Virtual Machines, and Azure SQL Database (PaaS)
  • Design, implement, and troubleshoot high availability and disaster recovery solutions in Azure
  • Diagnose complex performance issues using SQL Server internals, waits, execution plans, Query Store, and Extended Events
  • Identify and resolve CPU, memory, storage, and concurrency bottlenecks in production systems
  • Plan and execute on-premises to Azure migrations with minimal risk and validated outcomes
  • Apply a structured, L3-level troubleshooting approach during live production incidents
  • Communicate technical decisions, findings, and trade-offs clearly with application teams, architects, and management
  • Operate with the confidence and mindset expected from senior, lead, or cloud DBA roles

Ready to Move Forward?

If you are planning to strengthen your skills in SQL Server, Azure SQL, high availability, migration, and advanced performance tuning, this program is designed to prepare you for real production responsibilities.

For batch details, enrollment guidance, or help choosing the right learning path, reach out using the options below.

This is an advanced, production-focused program. Guidance is available to help you confirm whether this course aligns with your experience and career goals.