Amazon RDS for SQL Server | General

Question 1

What database versions does Amazon RDS for SQL Server support?

General

Amazon RDS for SQL Server | Database

Answer 1

Amazon RDS for SQL Server currently supports Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Information about the supported minor versions is available in the Amazon RDS User Guide.

Question 2

Which features are supported by RDS for SQL Server?

General

Amazon RDS for SQL Server | Database

Answer 2

You can check the list of supported features in the Amazon RDS User Guide.

Question 3

How does Amazon RDS distinguish between “major” and “minor” versions of SQL Server?

General

Amazon RDS for SQL Server | Database

Answer 3

In the context of RDS for SQL Server, version number is typically organized as follows:

SQL Server version = X.Y.Z.A.B

X = Major Database version, Z/A/B = Minor Version

For example, 13.00.2164.0.v1 to 13.00.4001.v1 would be a minor version upgrade while 12.00.5000.0.v1 -> 13.00.2164.0.v1 would be a major version upgrade

We follow Microsoft SQL Server conventions in our version names.

Question 4

Does Amazon RDS provide guidelines for upgrading engine versions or deprecation of engine versions that are currently supported?

General

Amazon RDS for SQL Server | Database

Answer 4

Yes. Please refer to the Amazon RDS FAQs.

Question 5

Why can’t I scale my storage?

General

Amazon RDS for SQL Server | Database

Answer 5

Your RDS for SQL Server instance may not be eligible for scaled storage. There are two main reasons why this may happen:

1. Magnetic Storage types aren’t eligible.
2. Database instances launched before Jan 1, 2017 might be using an older storage configuration that isn’t eligible.

Question 6

What can I do if my SQL Server instance isn’t eligible for scaled storage?

General

Amazon RDS for SQL Server | Database

Answer 6

You can migrate your existing instance to a new RDS for SQL Server instance, by taking a native backup or using a data migration tool. Make sure the storage type of the new instance is Provisioned IOPS or General Purpose (SSD).