Home > Workload Solutions > SQL Server > Guides > Design Guide—SQL Server 2022 Database Solution with Object Storage on Dell Hardware Stack > Introduction
SQL Server 2022 introduces features that enable easier access to external data on object storage. The BACKUP and RESTORE functions work directly with object storage. PolyBase enables easy access to ECS data through OPENROWSET and CETAS, allowing data engineers to use data from different storage locations. The new T-SQL functions offer helpful use cases for data analytics which generate value from object storage data. Automation is beneficial for deploying containers that use S3 protocol for data virtualization. Automation can create SQL Server 2022 engines and provision access to the appropriate data, which makes establishing data virtualization environments simple and reproducible.