Azure Database Migration for SQL Server

While Azure database migration can be time consuming, it’s ultimately a cost-effective option for a reliable, secure SQL database solution for most organizations.

Cost-effective: For starters, adopting Azure SQL solutions means significantly reduced spend on resources, cloud maintenance, and real estate costs, along with the enhanced ability to optimize workloads, reducing costs in the long run.

Scalability: For organizations looking for a flexible, scalable SQL database, Azure SQL Database provides the option to alter resources instantly when demand rises and as the organization grows.

Backup and recovery: Azure database migration helps to improve an organization’s day-to-day operations overall by offering built-in, one-click backup and recovery capabilities, along with one-screen access to its central management tools.

Hybrid capabilities: One of Azure’s most unique features is its hybrid capabilities. Azure’s platform is ideal for connecting on-premises platforms with a public cloud and includes a host of options for hybrid connections, including virtual private networks (VPNs), caches, content delivery networks (CDNs), and ExpressRoute connections. These capabilities improve usability and performance, whether a network is on-premises or needs more widespread support.

Integration with other Microsoft tools: Azure easily integrates with most Microsoft tools, often standard in a modern office, including Microsoft360, Outlook, and SharePoint. Using Azure also simplifies day-to-day operations by using on-premises machines like Linux and Microsoft. 

For most organizations, the main goal of Azure database migration is to move databases from one place to another as effectively as possible with minimal input. Beginning with the Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) is an excellent first step for those looking to migrate databases to the Azure platform, no matter what your target is.

DMS is an Azure service for automating a large portion of the process when it comes to moving your databases from on-premises to Managed Instance, which Microsoft introduced as a hybrid solution for companies needing to retain key features of on-premises SQL Server, along with support for migrating a database from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Database. The ability to manage projects in the service and leverage the online migration option means utilizing Azure’s DMS is one of the most effective options when looking for a reliable migration assistant.

Beyond using Azure’s DMS, there are four main steps for Azure cloud migration. The first involves cleaning up your existing data. Do away with anything taking up unnecessary space to start fresh with only high-quality data.

Second, make a meticulous map of your existing data to ensure valuable system documents don’t get lost in the migration. Create notes around where your data has already been, from inception through extract, transform, load (ETL) processes.

Mirroring is the next step in the Azure data migration process. When focusing on mirroring, remember the ETL process, as implementing it allows IT professionals to keep data and applications parallel to the cloud during migration.

Finally, make sure you’re testing every step of the way. The testing process includes building performance baseline reports, monitoring the new system, and further testing for any possible future-occurring issues instead of simply focusing on the initial migration.

Some of the key challenges of Azure database migration include time and cost, the risk associated with cloud migration, and developing new organizational skills to both migrate and fully integrate existing systems within the cloud.

Before you begin Azure migration, clearly outline your goals for adopting the cloud and the migration itself. Prioritize these goals from most to least important, and adjust your plan accordingly. Assess this migration plan before implementation and then keep testing during every step of the execution process to ensure the migration is going according to plan to avoid costly mistakes and minimize downtime.

Beyond DMS, most organizations find additional tools helpful for seamless Azure database migration. SQL Sentry work together to help you plan your database migration, archive your data, and monitor performance metrics before, during, and after the database migration process, to prevent business interruptions.

And for organizations looking for hybrid solutions or fully migrating a database from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Database, SQL Sentry are tools designed to optimize Azure SQL Database performance during and after the database migration process. By offering features such as a Software as a Service (SaaS)-based automated testing framework simplifying data testing and validation, you can ensure the integrity of your data throughout the migration process. Additionally, throughout the cloud migration process, SQL Sentry provides customizable documentation in various formats to make your transition streamlined and efficient.

Here are a few ways SQL Sentry can help as your data migration assistant:

Better visibility: Companies using Azure SQL Database Managed Instance have few monitoring options providing detailed, actionable information. SolarWinds ensures fast performance for Azure SQL Database Managed Instance, before and after migration, by providing unmatched visibility into key performance metrics so data teams can use the same monitoring solution for on-premises and Managed Instance targets.

Discovery and scope definition: After your team has identified the systems involved in the migration process, comprehensive discovery of those systems is needed to gather all the data necessary to make informed decisions about the best path for performing the migration. SQL Sentry enables your team to archive your data while mapping your migration process.

For example, suppose you’re working with a clearly-defined scope, and the data platform has online transaction processing (OLTP), ETL, and reporting layers. Your team should still perform adequate due diligence to ensure you haven’t omitted any necessary systems or data and there aren’t any departmental applications in use you aren’t aware of. Using SQL Sentry archival capabilities helps ensure you aren’t overlooking any critical data in the migration process.

Other SolarWinds Tools:

• Database Performance Analyzer (DPA)
• Server & Application Monitor (SAM)

Other Features:

• Performance Analysis Dashboard
• SQL Server Deadlock Analysis