SQL 2012 Eval Gallery Image Set to Expire 29-Jan-2013

Question

Have you deployed Azure VM's using the SQL Server 2012 Evaluation Edition gallery image?  If so you should be aware that the evaluation period will expire on 29-Jan-2013.  You should plan to migrate your databases to a new VM prior to this date.  You should avoid doing new deployments until we announce that we have refreshed the SQL Server 2012 Evaluation Edition gallery image.  That should happen shortly, stay tuned for more information.  Thank you.

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Roger Doherty (MSFT)

Answer 1

I am happy to report that SQL team has refreshed the Gallery with a new SQL Stock image this morning. So if you provisioned new VMs after 10:30AM this morning1/21, you would have picked up the new stock image and the evaluation period would be extended. However, this extension won't apply to VMs that have been provision before today, they will need to be upgraded or moved to a newly provisioned VMs.

Thank you,

Khalid Mouss (MSFT)

Answer 2

I am happy to report that SQL team has refreshed the Gallery with a new SQL Stock image this morning. So if you provisioned new VMs after 10:30AM this morning1/21, you would have picked up the new stock image and the evaluation period would be extended. However, this extension won't apply to VMs that have been provision before today, they will need to be upgraded or moved to a newly provisioned VMs.

Thank you,

Khalid Mouss (MSFT)

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KM

Answer 3

Hi Khalid,

Can you please provide some info on how to upgrade a VM? I want to keep the information I have on SQL Server which I have kept on an F: drive. 

Thanks,

Yehuda

Answer 4

Hi Everyone!
We have just released a new topic to answer your questions on How to migrate SQL Server database files and schema between virtual machines in Windows Azure. Note that
you may want to follow the recommendations given in this topic, when: 

- You create a virtual machine by using the platform image SQL Server 2012 Evaluation Edition and the evaluation period is expired. OR,

-  You need to move your databases to another virtual machine for any other business reasons.

In addition, take a look at this blog post: When will my SQL Server Evaluation Edition expire?

Regards,
Selcin Turkarslan

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Selcin Turkarslan (MSFT)

Answer 5

Does it matter if the 180 days from the installation have not passed.

Answer 6

Yes you can plan to run this process (mentioned above) before the actual expiration of SQL in the VM.

Thank you,

Khalid Mouss (MSFT)

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KM

Answer 7

Microsoft needs to do a MUCH better job of communicating that SQL on these VM's will expire! The VM's are in preview and don't expire and it's easy to assume that the software on them won't either. ie Its like a preview version of SQL2012.

Also the trial doesn't give you any heads up that its about to expire. It just dies on the last day!

Answer 8

Want to find out how much time you have left on your SQL Server 2012 Evaluation Edition deployment?  Check out this post from Guy Bowerman:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlosteam/archive/2013/02/17/when-will-my-sql-server-evaluation-edition-expire.aspx

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Roger Doherty (MSFT)