Before going into the benefits and intricacies of migrating databases from Oracle to SQL Server, let’s analyze the present IT scenario prevalent in organizations and why it makes sense to go through with this form of database movement.
Current IT Stack Scenario
In the current digital business environment, most large and mid-sized organizations run their operations on the Oracle database. Importantly, these are using the on-premises model of the Oracle database. This hurts the functioning of the databases as it is difficult to handle the exponential increase in the data that is being generated and needs to be processed today, leading to overwhelming stress on the existing IT infrastructure.
If all these factors are to be combined, the net result is a requirement of more processing power and higher storage capabilities, making it very tough for businesses to keep database maintenance costs under control without erosion of profitability.
To get around this issue, it is seen that the most optimized solution is to migrate databases to the cloud after evaluating which platform can cater to the precise needs of an organization. The focus here should be on improved power and performance of databases at costs that will not break the bank. For users of Oracle, migrating the database Oracle to SQL Server hosted on Microsoft Azure cloud is the best alternative.
Benefits of Oracle to SQL Server Database Migration
Given the present scenario of database management systems, let’s check why it makes sense to migrate databases from Oracle to Microsoft SQL Server.
- License and other costs: The cost of the license for Microsoft SQL Server is significantly lower than that of the Oracle database. There are other ways too of keeping control over costs in SQL Server such as virtualization of servers, data compression up to an amazing 10x, and database consolidation. Additionally, the performance of databases is also improved through the compression of data.
- Lower recurring costs: The functioning of the SQL Server database is very user-friendly and does not require the constant supervision of IT professionals. Command-line configuration is not needed and the database can be directly installed by a Setup Wizard with updates being automatically downloaded.
- Higher data safety and security: By migrating databases from Oracle to SQL Server, all the benefits of the cloud are brought to the table. The major one is data safety and security as all data is firewalled behind impenetrable and encrypted algorithms and strict permission management and user access norms.
- Several SQL Server editions: This facet is an indirect cost-cutting measure as users can select an edition that meets their needs without investing in higher versions with features that will not be used. The top-end version of the SQL Server is the Enterprise edition which is loaded with advanced cutting-edge features. It is right for large enterprises and is quite expensive. Next in line is the Standard edition with lesser features and price and is suitable for mid to small businesses. Finally, for individuals and start-ups, the SQL Server has the free Express edition with very limited features. By being able to choose the right fit for a business, infrastructure maintenance costs can be reduced.
- Recover lost data or databases: This is a critical reason for migrating databases from Oracle to SQL Server and is possible because the main module of the database engine of the SQL Server facilitates running queries of users and data storage inclusive of transactions, files, and indexes. Hence, even before a transaction is committed, the log records of the SQL Server are written on the disc. In case there is a crash of the hardware or an outage, the transaction logs are used by the instance after the issue is solved to input the data generated in the break period starting from the point where the outage occurred. Hence there is no loss of data or entire databases.
- Lower operating and maintenance costs: The SQL Server has affordable data mining and portioning features that make operating and maintenance costs lesser than the Oracle database. The tools for running the database are also more cost-effective.
From the above benefits, it is seen that most are related to costs of license and maintenance, and therefore, it is not surprising that for most organizations, migrating databases from Oracle to SQL Server is a very attractive proposition.
Steps for Migrating Databases to SQL Server from Oracle.
The Oracle SSMA or the SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) helps in the quick and easy migration of databases to SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, or Azure Synapse Analytics. With the SSMA for Oracle, users can also access databases for migration and review data and database objects before moving them to the same platforms. SYS and SYSTEM schemas, though, of Oracle cannot be migrated.
Here are the steps that have to be followed for migrating databases from Oracle to SQL Server.
- Create a new SSMA project and then set up migration, type mapping, and project conversion options.
- Establish a link between the Oracle database server and an instance of the SQL Server.
- Map the Oracle database schemas to the SQL Server database schemas before converting the Oracle database schema into the SQL Server database schema.
- Load the converted database objects into the SQL Server in any one of the two methods. The first is by saving a script and running it in the SQL Server and the other is by synchronizing the database objects.
- Migrate the database Oracle to SQL Server
- Once all these steps are completed, update all the database applications.
The process elaborated here can also be used for moving databases from Oracle to Azure SQL database and Azure Synapse Analytics.
