Fabric SQL Database: Simplifying OLTP and Real-Time Analytics
Jeff Taylor
Jeff Taylor
Principal Data Consultant
Database Consulting, LLC
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May 1-2, 2026
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Fabric SQL Database: Simplifying OLTP and Real-Time Analytics
Jeff Taylor
Introduction to Microsoft Fabric SQL Database
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Overview: Developer-friendly transactional database based on Azure SQL Database.
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Integration: Easily integrates with development frameworks and analytics.
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Replication: Automatic data replication (mirroring) into OneLake for analytics.
- Performance: Intelligent performance features like automatic index creation.
Key Features of Microsoft Fabric SQL Database
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OLTP Workloads: Home for OLTP workloads, easy to configure and manage. Most of the same features you know and use in SQL Server.
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Analytics Setup: Automatically replicates (mirrors) data into OneLake in near real-time.
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Development Tools: Supports SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Visual Studio Code, and a web-based editor in the Fabric portal.
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Intelligent Performance: Features like automatic tuning and index creation.
- Ready for AI: RAG, Vectors, Embeddings, Vector Search
Analytical Endpoint
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Paired Endpoint: Each Fabric SQL database has a paired SQL analytics endpoint. (Available after web UI refresh)
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Reporting Queries: Run reporting queries against the OneLake copy of the data. No overhead on OLTP database.
- Access Methods: Accessible via the Fabric portal, SSMS, Visual Studio Code, PowerBI Desktop, and TDS (Tabular Data Stream).
Connecting to the Database
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Web-Based Editor: Use the web-based editor in the Fabric portal.
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SSMS: Connect using SQL Server Management Studio, browse (SSMS 22) or direct.
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Connection Strings: Provided for various tools, including ADO.NET, JDBC, ODBC, PHP, and Go.
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Visual Studio: Connection string
- Visual Studio Code: MSSQL extension, connection string
Semantic Model
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Custom Models: Ability to create multiple models from one database.
- Integration: Integrated with PowerBI for visualizations and analysis.
Cross-Database Queries
- Querying Across Databases: Write cross-database queries joining data from other SQL databases, mirrored databases, warehouses, and the SQL analytics endpoint.
Azure SQL vs. Fabric SQL Database
- Common Code Base: Both share a common code base with the latest stable version of the Microsoft SQL Database Engine.
Differences
- Always Encrypted: Supported in Azure SQL but not in Fabric SQL.
- Change Data Capture (CDC): Supported in Azure SQL but not in Fabric SQL.
- Elastic Pools: Available in Azure SQL but not in Fabric SQL.
- Provisioning Control: Detailed control in Azure SQL, autonomous management in Fabric SQL.
- Integration: Fabric SQL is fully integrated with other workloads in the Microsoft Fabric platform by default
- No EXECUTE AS: Supported in Azure SQL, not Fabric SQL
Azure SQL vs. Fabric SQL Database
- Full Text Search: Azure SQL third-party work breakers aren't supported, Fabric SQL is not supported at all.
- SQL Users: Azure SQL Supports, Fabric SQL does not. (MFA, Service Principal only)
- Server-level roles: Azure Supports, Fabric SQL does not.
- TDE: Azure SQL supports, but Fabric SQL does not, but it uses storage encryption with service-managed keys. Customer-managed keys are not supported.
- Active geo-replication: Azure SQL, not Fabric SQL
- Common Code Base: Both share a common code base with the latest stable version of the Microsoft SQL Database Engine.
Differences
Azure SQL vs. Fabric SQL Database
Azure SQL Database
Fabric SQL Database
- Compute Tiers: Provisioned or serverless.
- Hardware Configurations: Gen5 (balanced), Fsv2 (compute optimized), DC (confidential computing).
- Elastic Pools: Yes.
- Maximum Resource Limits: Higher limits for vCores, DTUs, and storage.
- Compute Tiers: Serverless.
- Hardware Configurations: Latest configurations.
- Elastic Pools: No.
- Maximum Resource Limits: Lower limits compared to Azure SQL Database.
Azure SQL vs. Fabric SQL Database
Fabric SQL Database
Mirroring APIs
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Stop and Start Mirroring: Use API's to start and stop mirroring.
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Fabric SQL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/fabric/sqldatabase/mirroring
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Azure SQL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/fabric/mirroreddatabase/mirroring
Demo
Create a SQL database in the Fabric portal
Demo
Use SQL Analytics Endpoint
Demo
Connect to the Database - SSMS
Demo
Semantic Model
Best Use Cases
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Reverse ETL: Have data available in near real-time for operational consumption, by applications or APIs.
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Operational Data Store (ODS): near-real-time, integrated data store to consolidate multiple operational systems for reporting.
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Translytical Applications: Perform both transactional and analytical workloads.
Microsoft's Recommendations
Resources
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/database/sql/overview
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/data-exposed/sql-integration-with-microsoft-fabric-data-exposed
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/data-warehouse/tutorial-sql-cross-warehouse-query-editor
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/database/sql/mirroring-limitations
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/database/sql/limitations
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/fabric/sqldatabase/mirroring
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/fabric/mirroreddatabase/mirroring
Questions?
Thank you!
Jeff Taylor
Thank you for attending my session today.
If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Fabric SQL Database: Simplifying OLTP and Real-Time Analytics
By reviewmydb
