Final answer:
For SQL Server deployments on Azure VMs, E-series or N-series are recommended due to their memory-to-core ratios and GPU capabilities, respectively, which are advantageous for database servers and graphics-intensive tasks.
Step-by-step explanation:
For SQL Server deployments on VMs in Azure, you should use E-series or N-series virtual machines. The E-series VMs are optimized for heavy in-memory applications such as SQL Server, providing high memory-to-core ratios, which is beneficial for relational database servers. On the other hand, the N-series VMs offer GPU capabilities for graphics-intensive applications and data processing. Choosing the correct VM series is crucial for performance and cost management in cloud deployments.