Azure Synapse Link is a feature of Azure that creates a tight integration between Azure operational database services and Azure Synapse Analytics. These services allow users to run advanced analytics near real-time on operational data.
When implementing Azure Synapse Link, the first step is to enable the Azure Synapse Link for the desired Azure operational database service such as Azure Cosmos DB or Azure SQL Database. Once enabled, Synapse Link automatically replicates the operational data into a columnar layout in the Synapse Studio. From here, you can directly query the operational database without impacting the performance of transactional workloads. Users can also analyze the operational data with all supported capabilities of Azure Synapse including data wrangling, data discovery, and all analytics runtimes.
Steps to Implement Azure Synapse Link
Here are the steps to Implement Azure Synapse Link:
- Enable Azure Synapse Link: This can be done by going to the Azure portal, select the desired operational database (e.g. Cosmos DB), then go to the ‘Features’ section and enable ‘Synapse Link’.
- Create a New Azure Synapse Workspace: After enabling Synapse Link, the next step is to create a new Azure Synapse workspace which acts as a bridge between the operational database and Azure Synapse Analytics.
- Connect the Operational Database to the Synapse Workspace: After creating the workspace, the next step is to connect the operational database to this workspace. This is also possible from the Azure portal. Go to the operational database, then select ‘Connected Services’, then select ‘Add Synapse Workspace’, and provide the required details.
- Query the Replicated Data: Once connected, the operational data is now being continuously replicated to the Synapse Studio. This data can be queried directly from Synapse Studio for real-time analytics.
A Simple Example to Query the Replicated Data
Here is a simple example of how to query the replicated data in Azure Synapse Analytics using the SQL pool:
SELECT *
FROM OpenRowset(
BULK 'https://myaccount.blob.core.windows.net/mycontainer/mydata.csv',
FORMAT = 'CSV',
FIELDTERMINATOR =',',
ROWTERMINATOR ='\n',
FIRSTROW = 2
) as data;
In this example, Azure Synapse Analytics uses the OPENROWSET function to directly read and import data from the replicated data, which is stored in the ‘mydata.csv’ file in the Azure Storage blob.
Azure Synapse Link Concluding Remarks
Azure Synapse Link not only makes it simpler to implement advanced analytics on operational data, but it also eliminates the need for complex ETL pipelines, saving time and resources.
In the context of “DP-203 Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure” exam, understanding the integration and use of Azure Synapse Link for real-time analytics is fundamental. Thus, this practical application of implementing Azure Synapse Link and querying replicated data can help in solidifying the concept and score better in the examination.
Practice Test
True or False: Azure Synapse Link is a cloud-based, on-demand analytical service that enables real-time analytics on operational data.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Synapse Link is a cloud-native hybrid transactional and analytical processing (HTAP) capability that enables real-time analytics on operational data.
Which of the following Azure services can you connect to Azure Synapse Link?
- Azure SQL Database
- Azure Cosmos DB
- Azure Storage
- Azure Databricks
Answer: Azure Cosmos DB
Explanation: Azure Synapse Link for Azure Cosmos DB creates a tight seamless integration between Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Synapse Analytics.
True or False: With Azure Synapse Link, you can run near real-time analytics over operational data located in Azure Cosmos DB.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB allows you to run analytics over near real-time data in Azure Cosmos DB Analytical Store.
What language can you use to query data in Azure Synapse Link for Azure Cosmos DB Analytics Store?
- SQL
- C#
- Python
- T-SQL
Answer: T-SQL
Explanation: In Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB, you can use T-SQL scripts to query data in the Azure Cosmos DB Analytical Store.
True or False: You can only query replicated data in Azure Synapse Link via the Azure portal.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You can query the replicated data in Azure Synapse Studio, as well as via a data loading tool, such as Power BI.
What does HTAP stand for in the context of Azure Synapse Link?
- Hybrid Transactional and Analytical Processing
- High Transactional and Analytical Performance
- Hybrid Transform and Analytical Processing
- High Throughput and Adaptive Processing
Answer: Hybrid Transactional and Analytical Processing
Explanation: In Azure Synapse Link, HTAP stands for Hybrid Transactional and Analytical Processing.
True or False: Azure Synapse Link is a real-time replication service.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Synapse Link provides near real-time data replication, but it does not guarantee real-time replication.
By using Azure Synapse Link, does the analytical workload affect the transactional workload on Cosmos DB?
- Yes
- No
Answer: No
Explanation: Due to the isolated compute and storage, the analytical workload does not affect the transactional workload in Azure Cosmos DB.
Which of the following is not a feature of Azure Synapse Link?
- On-demand scalable compute
- Near real-time analytics
- Support for hybrid transactional and analytical processing (HTAP)
- Support for real-time machine learning
Answer: Support for real-time machine learning
Explanation: While Azure Synapse Link does support on-demand compute, near real-time analytics, and HTAP, it does not offer real-time machine learning.
True or False: To implement Azure Synapse Link, you need to make changes to your existing operational database.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: One of the key features of Azure Synapse Link is that it enables you to run analytics over your operational data without impacting your operational systems and without requiring changes to your operational database.
Interview Questions
What is Azure Synapse Link?
Azure Synapse Link is a cloud-based hybrid transactional and analytical processing (HTAP) capability that enables you to run near real-time analytics over operational data in Azure Cosmos DB.
How does Azure Synapse Link work?
Azure Synapse Link creates a tight integration between Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Synapse Analytics by creating a columnar store “synapse link” within your Cosmos DB that can be used for analytics without affecting the transactional workload.
What role does Azure Synapse Link play in the Azure Cosmos DB?
Azure Synapse Link removes the barriers between Azure Cosmos DB, a globally distributed database, and Azure Synapse Analytics, allowing you to gain new insights into your operational data and build near real-time dashboards and reports.
How can you enable Azure Synapse Link on an existing Azure Cosmos DB?
To enable Azure Synapse Link on an existing Azure Cosmos DB, you just need to go to the Azure portal, navigate to your Azure Cosmos DB account, click on the ‘Features’ in the left pane, and toggle the ‘Azure Synapse Link’ to ‘Enabled’.
Which type of Azure Cosmos DB APIs support the Azure Synapse Link?
Currently, Azure Synapse Link is supported with Azure Cosmos DB SQL and MongoDB APIs.
Which Azure services can query the data replicated via Azure Synapse Link?
Azure Synapse Analytics can query the data replicated via Azure Synapse Link.
Will enabling Azure Synapse Link change the pricing model of my Azure Cosmos DB?
Enabling Azure Synapse Link does not change the pricing model of your Azure Cosmos DB. The cost for analytics store consumed by Synapse Link is determined based on the storage consumed by the data present in it.
What are the benefits of Azure Synapse Link in Data Engineering?
Azure Synapse Link allows you to run large-scale analytics over operational data in near-real time, without ETL pipelines or data movement, and without impacting your operational throughput and latency. This simplifies architecture, reduces cost, and improves time to insight.
Do I need to convert my data to a column-oriented format to use Azure Synapse Link?
No. Azure Synapse Link automatically transforms your transactional data stored in row-oriented format to a columnar format suitable for analytical processing.
Can I disable Azure Synapse Link after I enabled it on a Cosmos DB account?
Yes, You can disable Azure Synapse Link any time after it is enabled, but you’ll lose the analytic store data associated with the Cosmos DB containers.
Can Azure Synapse Link be enabled for an existing Azure Cosmos DB container?
No, Azure Synapse Link cannot be enabled for an existing Azure Cosmos DB container. It has to be enabled at the time of creating a new container.
Can I use Azure Synapse Link with Private Endpoint?
Yes, Azure Synapse Link is designed to work seamlessly with the Private Endpoint feature of Azure Cosmos DB.
How does Azure Synapse Link affect my Azure Cosmos DB SLAs?
Azure Synapse Link does not impact any of the Azure Cosmos DB SLAs for latency, throughput, availability, or consistency.
What is the retention period for data in the analytical store of Azure Synapse Link?
The analytical store of Azure Synapse Link retains data for a period of 180 days.
Can I choose which data to replicate to Azure Synapse Link?
No, when you enable Azure Synapse Link for a container all data in the container is automatically replicated to it.
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