What is STACKIT SQLServer Flex?
STACKIT SQLServer Flex is a fully managed Microsoft SQL Server service with flexible resource allocation and included licensing. STACKIT handles operating system updates, SQL Server patches, backup management, and high-availability configuration. Instances and clusters are created and managed self-service through the STACKIT portal or API. Per the official documentation’s FAQ, all SQLServer Flex instances are currently provided exclusively in region EU01 (Germany); processing and storage occur entirely within that region.
Core Features
- SQL Server 2022 (single-node plan with Standard Edition, 4 vCPU / 16 GB)
- Replica plans with SQL Server Enterprise Edition (4 vCPU/32 GB, 8 vCPU/64 GB, 16 vCPU/128 GB)
- High availability via a 3-node AlwaysOn availability group (replica plans)
- Automated daily backup per database, optional point-in-time recovery, manual COPY_ONLY backups via API
- SQL Server Agent for scheduling maintenance tasks
- Transactional replication (STACKIT instance as subscriber) and linked servers (via T-SQL stored procedures) via documented workarounds
- Access control via logins, users, and role-based permissions
Typical Use Cases
.NET Application Backends: ASP.NET Core applications, .NET Framework legacy apps, and Blazor frontends use SQL Server as the primary database with native Entity Framework integration.
Business Intelligence: Reporting and BI tools from the Microsoft ecosystem use SQL Server as a data warehouse backend.
Legacy Application Modernization: On-premises SQL Server databases can be migrated to STACKIT via backup/restore, transactional replication, or migration tools.
Benefits
- SQL Server license included in the usage-based price
- Choice of single-node or highly available 3-node configuration
- Operated exclusively in the STACKIT region EU01 (Germany)
- Automated backup and patch management by STACKIT
Integration with innFactory
As an official STACKIT partner, innFactory supports you with STACKIT SQLServer Flex: architecture, migration, operations, and cost optimization.
Available Tiers & Options
Single Standard (4 vCPU / 16 GB)
- Lowest-cost entry point
- Includes SQL Server Standard Edition
- No multi-node high availability
Replica/HA Enterprise (4-16 vCPU)
- Includes SQL Server Enterprise Edition
- High availability via a 3-node AlwaysOn availability group
- Scales up to 16 vCPU / 128 GB RAM
- Higher cost than the single-node plan
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is STACKIT SQLServer Flex?
STACKIT SQLServer Flex is a fully managed Microsoft SQL Server service with automated backups, high-availability options, and self-service management via portal and API. STACKIT handles operations, patching, and backup management of the instances.
Is the SQL Server license included in the price?
Yes, the Microsoft SQL Server license is included in the usage-based price per vCPU, RAM, and storage. You don't need to bring your own license.
Which SQL Server edition and version is used?
Per STACKIT's lifecycle documentation, the service runs SQL Server 2022 (available since August 2024, end of support July 2027). The single-node plan (4 vCPU/16 GB) runs SQL Server Standard Edition. The replica plans (4 vCPU/32 GB, 8 vCPU/64 GB, 16 vCPU/128 GB) use SQL Server Enterprise Edition.
How does high availability work in SQLServer Flex?
Per STACKIT documentation, HA instances (replica plans) run as a 3-node AlwaysOn availability group that fails over automatically if a node goes down.
Are automatic backups created?
Yes, STACKIT documentation states an automated backup is created once a day for every database in the instance, with an optional point-in-time recovery target on restore. Manual COPY_ONLY backups via the API are also supported. See the official documentation for exact retention periods.
Are transactional replication and linked servers supported?
Both are possible via documented workarounds: for transactional replication, the STACKIT instance acts as the subscriber while an on-premises SQL Server acts as publisher/distributor. Linked servers can be set up via Microsoft-provided T-SQL stored procedures, since the SQL Server permissions normally required are not granted in STACKIT SQLServer Flex. STACKIT's general feature-support overview, however, lists native replication and linked servers as unsupported.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of STACKIT (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by STACKIT.
