Microsoft® SQL Server 2012 Unleashed

Creating a Logical Server

Before creating a database, you need to create a server. In the context of SQL Database, a server is just a logical construct used to group the databases you create and administer them centrally. Let’s create one.

Using the left menu, click SQL Databases. Under the primary page heading (SQL Databases) you will find two links (acting more akin to tabs, and so referred to as such from this point): Databases and Servers. To create a database, you first need a server. You can create a server as a discrete task, or you can create a server when you create a database by selecting New SQL Database Server in the New SQL Database dialog. You can also create a database in a slightly different manner by clicking the +New menu button ...