Migrate On-Premise SQL Database to Azure in 5 Simple Steps

As data volumes surge, businesses are progressively transitioning from traditional application frameworks to contemporary systems, capitalizing on cloud-based storage solutions. Rather than investing in physical infrastructure and software, this shift allows organizations to procure IT services directly from providers. 

Migrating your on-premise SQL database to Azure can be a pivotal step in modernizing your infrastructure and unlocking the scalability, reliability, and cost-efficient cloud computing solutions. However, choosing the right migration strategy is crucial to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to your operations. 

SQL Server Migration and its Challenges: 

Data migration is the process of transferring data between storage systems, applications, or databases. Organizations undertake migration to revamp infrastructure, address data growth, upgrade databases, establish new data centers, integrate new data sources, adapt to business changes, and reduce complexity and costs.  

It involves selecting, preparing, and extracting data before uploading it to the target location. Two main methods are: 

1. Online migration - transfers data over the Internet without disruption 

1. Offline migration - data is physically shipped via a storage appliance, potentially causing downtime 

This endeavor often presents significant challenges, prompting organizations to embark on migration efforts for various reasons. In this blog post, we'll explore five effective ways to migrate your on-premise SQL database to Azure and insights into when and how to use each approach. 

Azure Database Migration Service (DMS): 

Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) is a fully managed service offered by Microsoft Azure, designed to simplify and streamline database migrations to Azure data platforms. With DMS, you can perform online migrations with minimal downtime, enabling continuous operation of your applications during the migration process. DMS supports various source databases, including SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle, making it a versatile solution for migrating diverse workloads to Azure. 

Azure Site Recovery (ASR): 

Azure Site Recovery (ASR) is primarily known for its disaster recovery capabilities, but it can also be leveraged to migrate on-premise SQL Server databases to Azure. ASR provides replication functionality, allowing you to replicate your SQL Server database to Azure with minimal downtime. Once replication is set up, you can failover to the replicated instance in Azure, ensuring business continuity throughout the migration process. ASR is beneficial for large-scale migrations where minimizing downtime is critical. 

Database Backup and Restore: 

Database backup and restore is straightforward when migrating your on-premise SQL database to Azure. You can use tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or native SQL Server backup and restore functionality to create your database's backup file (.bak). Subsequently, you can transfer the backup file to Azure Blob Storage and convert it to an Azure SQL Database instance using Azure Portal or PowerShell. This method is suitable for smaller databases with minimal downtime requirements. 

Transactional Replication: 

Transactional replication offers a methodical approach to migrating SQL servers to Azure SQL databases while minimizing downtime. By setting up transactional replication between your on-premise SQL Server and Azure SQL Database, you can continuously replicate data changes from the source database to the target database in Azure. Once an image is in place, you can gradually switch your applications to the Azure SQL Database, ensuring a seamless transition with minimal disruption to your business operations. 

Azure Database Migration Guide: 

Microsoft provides: 

• A comprehensive resource known as the Azure Database Migration Guide. 

• Offering step-by-step guidance. 

• Best practices. 

• Tools for migrating SQL Server databases to Azure. 

Whether planning a lift-and-shift migration or modernizing your applications with Azure SQL Database, the Azure Database Migration Guide provides valuable insights to help you navigate the migration process effectively. It covers various migration scenarios, considerations, and tools, empowering you to make informed decisions and achieve a successful migration outcome. 

Conclusion: 

Migrating your on-premise SQL database to Azure opens up scalability, agility, and innovation opportunities. By choosing the right migration strategy and leveraging the tools and resources available on the Azure platform, you can seamlessly transition your workloads to the cloud while minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.  

Whether you opt for Azure Database Migration Service, Azure Site Recovery, database backup and restore, transactional replication, or guidance from the Azure Database Migration Guide, careful planning and execution are critical to a successful migration journey. 

We at PreludeSys are a Microsoft-certified partner offering Cloud Migration services at competitive prices. Contact us today!