Currently, SQL Azure doesn’t support running SQL Server Agent in the cloud. If you need SQL Server Agent type functionality for SQL Azure, you can use a Windows Azure worker role and some custom code, I will show you how in this blog post series.
“Secret agent man, secret agent man
They've given you a number and taken away your name” – Johnny Rivers
SQL Server Agent
SQL Server Agent is a Microsoft Windows service that executes scheduled administrative tasks, which are called jobs. SQL Server Agent uses SQL Server to store job information. Jobs contain one or more job steps. Each step contains its own task, for example, backing up a database. SQL Server Agent can run a job on a schedule, in response to a specific event, or on demand. For example, if you want to back up all the company servers every weekday after hours, you can automate this task. Schedule the backup to run after 22:00 Monday through Friday; if the backup encounters a problem, SQL Server Agent can record the event and notify you. SQL Server Agent is installed with the on-premise Enterprise, Datacenter and Standard editions of SQL Server, however is not available in the Express or Compact edition.
Worker Roles
A worker role is basically a Windows service in the cloud; that understands the concept of starting, stopping, and configuration refreshes. When started, well designed worker roles enter into an endless loops that:
Checks for an event that signals processing.
Perform an action.
Sleep until the event needs to be checked again.
They are purposefully abstract so that they can be used for multiple purposes.
Read more: SQL Azure Team Blog Part 1, Part 2
“Secret agent man, secret agent man
They've given you a number and taken away your name” – Johnny Rivers
SQL Server Agent
SQL Server Agent is a Microsoft Windows service that executes scheduled administrative tasks, which are called jobs. SQL Server Agent uses SQL Server to store job information. Jobs contain one or more job steps. Each step contains its own task, for example, backing up a database. SQL Server Agent can run a job on a schedule, in response to a specific event, or on demand. For example, if you want to back up all the company servers every weekday after hours, you can automate this task. Schedule the backup to run after 22:00 Monday through Friday; if the backup encounters a problem, SQL Server Agent can record the event and notify you. SQL Server Agent is installed with the on-premise Enterprise, Datacenter and Standard editions of SQL Server, however is not available in the Express or Compact edition.
Worker Roles
A worker role is basically a Windows service in the cloud; that understands the concept of starting, stopping, and configuration refreshes. When started, well designed worker roles enter into an endless loops that:
Checks for an event that signals processing.
Perform an action.
Sleep until the event needs to be checked again.
They are purposefully abstract so that they can be used for multiple purposes.
Read more: SQL Azure Team Blog Part 1, Part 2