Configure read-only routing in an Always On availability group in SQL Server on AWS

The configure read-only routing SQL Server AWS template shows how to set up read-only routing in SQL Server Always On availability groups in AWS. It gives you an easy method of setting up your environment to have queries read handled by secondary replicas. When you use this template, you provision your SQL Server instances on AWS, establish an availability group, and set up a listener. You then set up routing rules such that SQL Server will know exactly where to directly read‑only queries. The result is a platform that is more scalable, quicker, and more dependable at reading and writing operations.

Why is this template a game-changer? 

Without read-only routing, every query, be it a small report or a huge write operation, is sent through the same master database. That database is a single point of stress.

With SQL Server read-only routing, you can:

• Spread the load between a primary and one or more secondary replicas.

• Improve the response time for read-only queries.

• Let the main instance perform the important write operations.

• Improve availability and reduce downtime.

This template is a game-changer because not only does it explain the theory. It gives you the actual components and steps to use within AWS, all the way down to how to use Cloudairy to execute quickly.

Who can use this template, and when? 

This template is for whoever is responsible for managing SQL Server databases in AWS, including:

• Database administrators seeking improved performance.

• Cloud engineers implementing SQL Server environments on AWS.

• Companies that do heavy analysis or reporting on their master database.

You can apply this template when: 

• Your primary SQL Server instance is heavily loaded.

• You need to offer high availability for mission-critical applications.

• You're migrating or scaling out your SQL Server to AWS and require best practices in place from the beginning.

What are the main components of the template? 

These are the major things you will be dealing with:

• VPC – Secure network space for your SQL Servers.

• Private Subnet – Protects your SQL Servers on the network.

• Primary Instance – All write, and update operations are executed.

• Secondary Instance – Processes read-only operations such as reports.

• Always On Availability Group – Synchronizes databases across replicas.

• Availability Group Listener – Single point of connection that sends queries.

• Read Routing Policy – Policies to route read queries to the secondary instance.

• Amazon FSx – Shared storage used in the environment.

• SQL Authentication – Manages secure login to the database.

• Replication Path – The path through which data travels from primary to secondary.

• Failover Mechanism – Switches operations if the primary instance fails.

• Database Load Balancing – Divides workload to improve performance.

• Query Routing – Directs reads and writes to the correct place.

How to start using Cloudairy ?

Cloudairy has made it easy to open and use this template

• Sign in to Cloudairy and go to the Templates page.

• Learn about Read-Only Routing in SQL Server.

• Choose the template to see the details.

• Choose Open to interact and alter the settings.

• Update your replica nodes and listener details as needed.

• Save the changes and release the workflow for deployment.

How to use Cloudairy with this template ?

Once you have opened the template, you can proceed as below:

• Check the setup of the availability group.

• Setup your primary and secondary SQL Server replicas in AWS.

• Set up the Always On availability group listener to allow applications to connect easily.

• Set your read routing rules to route read‑only queries to your secondary instance.

• Use Cloudairy's graphical tools to visualize how questions would be passed between servers.

• Export your setup and apply it to your installation.

Summary 

This template helps to set up read-only routing in an Always On availability group in SQL Server on AWS. This prevents overloading a single database by routing read queries to secondary replicas.

With this setup, you can:

• Improve performance for reading and writing workloads.

• Put in place a high availability system with an explicitly defined failover policy.

Grow your SQL Server infrastructure as your requirements grow. Cloudairy simplifies that process. You can open this template, make it your own if you must, and get a sense of how everything integrates before you deploy. With this template, you can have a strong, well-balanced, and uniform database environment up and running. Your master instance remains reserved for priority work, and your ready replicas handle reporting and analytics without skipping a beat. This is a simple and effective way of implementing SQL Server read-only routing best practices in AWS, and it will give you the confidence your system will be able to handle more load without compromising speed and stability.