22-25 April 2026 
Building Resilient SQL Server HA/DR in a Multi-Cloud World
Proposed session for SQLBits 2026TL; DR
Running SQL Server in one cloud is common. Running it reliably across Azure, AWS, and GCP is harder. This session covers real-world multi-cloud HA and DR designs using AGs and FCIs, with practical guidance to meet RTO/RPO goals.
Session Details
Running SQL Server in the cloud is common. Running it reliably across multiple cloud providers? That’s where things get interesting. In this session, we’ll dive into how to architect SQL Server high availability and disaster recovery solutions that span Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud—giving you resilience that goes beyond a single provider’s boundaries.
As a former Microsoft Clustering MVP and Cloud & Datacenter MVP, I’ve worked with organizations that need to reduce risk, avoid lock-in, and meet aggressive RTO/RPO goals—all while keeping SQL Server highly available. We'll look at real-world, multi-cloud designs using familiar SQL Server technologies like Always On Availability Groups and Failover Cluster Instances (FCIs), and explore how to overcome the networking, storage, and domain challenges that make multi-cloud tough.
Whether you’re designing an active/passive deployment with a secondary in a different cloud, or trying to build cross-cloud failover into your business continuity plan, you’ll get practical guidance and architecture patterns you can use.
This isn’t theoretical—these are real solutions for real-world problems. Bring your cloud curiosity and your SQL Server uptime expectations. You’ll leave knowing how to take them both to the next level.
As a former Microsoft Clustering MVP and Cloud & Datacenter MVP, I’ve worked with organizations that need to reduce risk, avoid lock-in, and meet aggressive RTO/RPO goals—all while keeping SQL Server highly available. We'll look at real-world, multi-cloud designs using familiar SQL Server technologies like Always On Availability Groups and Failover Cluster Instances (FCIs), and explore how to overcome the networking, storage, and domain challenges that make multi-cloud tough.
Whether you’re designing an active/passive deployment with a secondary in a different cloud, or trying to build cross-cloud failover into your business continuity plan, you’ll get practical guidance and architecture patterns you can use.
This isn’t theoretical—these are real solutions for real-world problems. Bring your cloud curiosity and your SQL Server uptime expectations. You’ll leave knowing how to take them both to the next level.
3 things you'll get out of this session
• Understand proven architecture patterns for SQL Server high availability and disaster recovery across Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud
• Learn how to overcome multi-cloud challenges involving networking, storage, quorum, and identity while meeting strict RTO and RPO goals
• Gain practical guidance for designing and operating real-world cross-cloud failover strategies using AGs and FCIs