Using SQL Server Management Studio R2 with SQL Azure

As I mentioned earlier this week, we now have a CTP release of a version of SSMS that is SQL Azure aware.

I thought it might be useful to share my first few minutes with it. First up, I cleared out my SQL Azure account using the portal (dropped all my databases).

And I made sure the firewall setting would allow me to connect: (for simplicity I just opened up everything. Don’t do that!)

Then I downloaded (155MB) SSMS R2 Nov CTP (32bit or 64bit) and installed it:

Which gave me a new menu group for R2:

Launching SSMS R2 I filled in my server name, admin name and password copied over from the portal:

Which then gave me the usual catalogue view:

And allowed me to do a Create Database using the new SQL Azure templates (no dialogue boxes):

Which was there waiting for me in the portal:

I have not done an exhaustive check – but looks like we have SQL Azure templates for most/all :-)

Nice and simple. I also just spotted a similar post – check that out as well.

Enjoy