title: can stored proc in SQL Server 2008 on-premise db reference a table in SQL Azure db
body: <p>I can see my SQL Azure database in SQL Server Management Studio, and am able to execute queries, create objects, etc etc, in SSMS.  The VPN is working.</p>
  
  <p>I know there are (or will be) synchronization utilities available from Microsoft, but let's say we didn't want to use them. Is it possible for a stored procedure, running locally in an <em>on-premise</em> instance, to establish a connection to the remote (cloud) database, and then reference a table in the cloud as if it were local?</p>
  
  <pre><code>        insert azure.dbo.clients CLOUD
          select * from mylocaldb.dbo.clients EARTH 
          where EARTH.lastSyncDate is null
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Is it possible to connect to the cloud database as to a linked server, to permit heterogeneous (earth/cloud) queries and data flow?  </p>