Hello Azure Community,

This July, Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server introduced several important updates. These updates make our database services even better and easier to use. We’ve added new features for security, better monitoring, and improved how you can set up and manage databases. Here’s what’s new and exciting in July 2024.

Feature Highlights

System Assigned Managed Identity – Generally available
Recovery improvements for Point-in-time-Recovery (PITR) – Generally available
Database Size monitoring metric – Generally available
Index tuning enhancements – Preview
CLI enhancements – Generally available
Improvements in the Azure Database for PostgreSQL connector in Azure Data Factory – Generally available
Recap of Microsoft team participation in PGConf.dev 2024

System Assigned Managed Identity

Azure Database for PostgreSQL – Flexible Server now supports enabling system-assigned managed identities. This feature allows customers to use the flexible server’s identity to interact with other Azure services. Additionally, it was a prerequisite for integrating the Flexible Server into the fabric ecosystem. This integration will enable customers to set up continuous mirroring or replication of their existing Azure PostgreSQL Flexible Server database into Fabric’s One Lake storage in the future. 

Key Benefits:

Seamless Integration: You can now configure System Assigned Managed Identity for your PostgreSQL Flexible Server, enabling it to securely interact with other Azure services.
Enhanced Security: Utilize the robust security features of Microsoft Entra to manage and protect your database access.

To learn more visit our documentation: System Assigned Managed Identity

Recovery improvements for Point-in-time-Recovery (PITR)

We’ve updated the Recovery Point Objective (RPO) for Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Servers, reducing it from 15 minutes to just 5 minutes for setups without high availability. This change means if there’s a system issue, the most you could lose is 5 minutes of data, not 15. This is a big step in making sure your data is safe and can be quickly restored, reducing downtime. 

Main Benefits:

Better Data Protection: Less data is at risk during disruptions.
Quicker Recovery: Systems bounce back faster, reducing downtime.
Advantages for Customers: Your data is safer and gets back to normal quicker if something goes wrong.

For more details, check out RPO and RTO guidelines for Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server. 

Database Size monitoring metric

The new “Database Size” metric in Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server significantly enhances database management by providing precise, granular insights into the storage consumption of individual databases.

This feature aids in detailed monitoring, supports effective capacity planning by offering exact data on database sizes, and promotes operational efficiency through actionable insights, crucial for optimizing database performance and resource utilization in a multi-database environment. For a complete list of monitoring metrics available for Azure PostgreSQL Flexible Server, please refer our monitoring documentation.

Index tuning enhancements

Index tuning is a feature in Azure Database for PostgreSQL flexible server that automatically improves the performance of your workload by analyzing the tracked queries and providing index recommendations. It is a built-in offering in Azure Database for PostgreSQL flexible server, which builds on top of Monitor performance with Query Store functionality. Index tuning analyzes the workload tracked by Query Store and produces index recommendations to improve the performance of the analyzed workload or to drop duplicate or unused indexes.

Available in all regions where Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server is available.
Supported in instances deployed with Private access (VNET Integration) connectivity method.
Portal now includes a better experience to configure index tuning settings in the context of Index tuning (preview) page, with parameters grouped logically and easier to understand names and descriptions.

If you haven’t started using it yet, read more about index tuning and begin using it today.

CLI enhancements

We’ve recently updated the Azure CLI module for PostgreSQL, addressing 16 issues reported by the community. A big thank you to everyone who contributed suggestions! Your feedback helps us make continuous improvements. For ongoing updates or to suggest new features, visit our issues page: Azure CLI PostgreSQL Issues.

You can now download Azure CLI version 2.62.0 and enjoy these enhancements: Download Azure CLI 2.62.0. 

Azure Data Factory (ADF) connector improvements

Azure Data Factory is a fully managed, serverless data integration service built to orchestrate and operationalize complex hybrid extract-transform-load (ETL), extract-load-transform (ELT), and data integration projects.  

A variety of conditions can cause a connection to fail with error 11775, when using Azure Database for PostgreSQL connector in Azure Data Factory. We have simplified the error message returned when the connection attempt fails and have improved Data Factory’s connector troubleshooting guide to cover all possible causes of that error and to provide guidance for all of them. Based on customer feedback, we’ve also made a major revision of our guide that explains how to connect from an Azure Data Factory pipeline using Azure Private Link.

Azure Postgres Team at PGConf.dev 2024

Microsoft demonstrated its commitment to the PostgreSQL community through its sponsorship of PostgreSQL Development Conference 2024 (PGConf.dev 2024), held in Vancouver, Canada. The Azure Postgres team engaged in numerous activities, including delivering talks and managing a well-received booth.

ANALYZING CACHELINE CONTENTION USING PERF C2C – @andresfreund 
HOW TO ENGINEER YOUR DEVELOPER BLOG POSTS TO HAVE BIGGER IMPACT – @clairegiordano
THE POSTGRESQL PROTOCOL: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE FUTURE – @JelteF 
ENHANCING POSTGRESQL PLASTICITY: NEW FRONTIERS IN MEMORY MANAGEMENT – @Krishnakumar Ravi (KK)
MAKING POSTGRESQL HACKING MORE INCLUSIVE – Panel Discussion with @Melanie Plageman

These sessions are a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of PostgreSQL and its various applications. For a complete list refer to the PGConf.Dev 2024 session schedule.

Customer Spotlight – Posten Bring – Setting the logistics sector up for the future using Microsoft Azure

Posten Bring, a Norwegian logistics giant, has dramatically transformed its operations by moving to Microsoft Azure, utilizing Azure Database for PostgreSQL among other services. This shift allowed them to abandon outdated systems in favor of a modern, scalable, and reliable cloud-based solution. The new system is crucial for handling peak periods like Christmas and Black Friday effectively.

With Azure, Posten Bring has enhanced its operational efficiency and data management capabilities. The integration of Azure Database for PostgreSQL has enabled real-time data monitoring and management, significantly improving their service reliability and customer delivery times. This technological advancement supports their mission to deliver goods effectively across the Nordics, reinforcing their legacy with modern solutions.

This move to Azure has not only optimized their daily operations but also positioned Posten Bring for future innovations in data-driven services and AI, proving the pivotal role of Azure in their ongoing success. Read more about their journey here.

Conclusion

In summary, the updates we introduced this July aim to enhance how you use Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server. With new features like Managed Identity and advanced tools for database tuning, we’re committed to providing you with the best resources. Try out these new features and see how they can improve your projects. Your feedback is important to us and helps us continue improving our services. Keep an eye out for more updates as we strive to better serve your needs.

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