How to Deploy a Windows Server with SQL Server VM Instance in GCP using Terraform
In this story, we will learn how to deploy a Windows Server with SQL Server VM Instance (VM) in GCP (Google Cloud Platform) using Terraform.
GCP Compute Engine provides images with Microsoft SQL Server preinstalled on Windows Server. In addition, Compute Engine manages the license for both Windows Server and SQL Server for these SQL Server images and includes the cost in your monthly bill.
SQL Server Express
SQL Server Express is a free edition of SQL Server, ideal for development and production for desktop, web, and small server applications. Unfortunately, it is not available for all versions of SQL Server in GCP.
SQL Server Web
SQL Server Web edition is a low total cost-of-ownership option for Web hosting and Web VAPs to provide scalability, affordability, and manageability capabilities for small to large-scale Web properties.
SQL Server Standard
We can run SQL Server Standard on VMs with any machine type, but shared-core machine types will not run optimally. Therefore, Google recommends using VMs with at least one vCPU to run SQL Server Standard.
