Should you migrate databases from Oracle to SQL Server? From a business viewpoint, what benefits does this activity bring to the table?
In this post, we will go into all the aspects of moving databases from Oracle to SQL Server including a comparative study of the two to understand the advantages and finally how to go about the migration process.
Organizations today have moved away from manual operating processes to data-driven ones where massive volumes of data generated from various sources are processed for analytics and report generation. To optimize operating efficiencies, it is therefore imperative that a cost-effective IT infrastructure must be in place that not only ensures high data durability and integrity but also stringent data security.
Among the several possibilities, a major one is moving databases from Oracle to SQL Server to reap the several benefits from it.
Why Should You Migrate Databases From Oracle to SQL Server
As touched upon above, the cost factor is one of the key benefits of going through this process apart from availing technologically advanced cutting-edge capabilities. Each of these benefits will be seen now in detail.
Cost-Effective Platform
- The SQL Server offers several versions that users can select from as per their requirements. There is no point in paying high license fees for features and storage capacities that are not required.
For example, for large organizations, SQL Server has the Enterprise edition with high licensing costs but with very advanced features. In the next layer is the Standard edition which is cheaper but has lower storage volumes and computing speeds.
Finally, there is the Express edition with limited features and storage space that is ideal for new businesses and startups. Businesses can start from the lowest rung and work up the editions as operations grow.
On the other hand, Oracle charges flat licensing fees for storage and other features and you have to invest in it regardless of whether the full resources are used or not.
Hence, due to the cost savings, moving databases from Oracle to SQL Server is a very attractive proposition for businesses.
- Another cost-saving option in the SQL Server is the data compression facility to the extent of 10x. Hence, storage costs are significantly reduced since massive data volumes can be stored in one-tenth of the normal required space. This is a critical feature of the SQL Server along with visualization of servers and data consolidation.
Technologically-Advanced Features
- The SQL Server is easy to install and no command-line configuration is required. A Setup Wizard completes the installation process and once done, all upgrades and updates are downloaded automatically. For Oracle, installation is quite a complex procedure and other applications and drivers must be downloaded first.
- Data safety and security, a mandated factor in the current data-driven business ecosystems is a defining aspect of SQL Server. Access to data on this platform is strictly controlled through access management programs and firewalls are in place for all classified and confidential data. Further, SQL Server data is fully encrypted and protected through complex algorithms.
- The very nature of the database engine of the SQL Server helps it to steal a march over the Oracle database management system. It stores data with queries being run via files, transactions, and indexes. Hence, in the event of a crash of a database, it is easy to recover and restore the data.
This is how the process works. Before a transaction is finalized in the SQL Server, log records are noted on a disk and therefore, when an outage occurs, there is no downtime or break as the transactions help to carry on the work. Later, when the issue is resolved, the logs restore the transactions from the point where the outage happened, thereby preventing any data loss or degradation in the performance of the database.
Given all these features, migrating databases from Oracle to SQL Server is a preferred option now for organizations around the world.
Procedure For Migrating Databases From Oracle to SQL Server
For a smooth migration process, the SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Oracle is used. It reviews database objects and data, moves database objects, and accesses databases for migration. However, SYS and SYSTEM Oracle schemas cannot be migrated. Hence, the following steps are required before migrating the databases.
Groundwork For The Migration
- Implement project conversion, type mapping, and migration options after a new SSMA project is created.
- Connect the Oracle database server and an instance of the SQL Server.
- Map the Oracle database schemas to SQL Server database schemas.
- Convert the Oracle database schemas into SQL Server schemas.
- Finally, load the converted database objects into SQL Server either by saving a script and running it in SQL Server or by synchronizing the database objects.
Once these basic procedures are completed, the process of moving databases from Oracle to SQL Server can be initiated.
The Migration Process
There are two ways to do it.
- One-shot method: Here, all systems are shut down and the whole migration process is completed in one go. The reason why downtime is required is otherwise, any incremental data that has been generated in the source database will not be shown in the target database. While this process is quite straightforward and easy, it is not suitable for large organizations where a complete system shut-down will badly impact operations.
- Phased method: In this process, Oracle to SQL Server database migration takes place in two stages. In the first step, data is migrated without shutting down the systems and then all incremental data generated after the first run is moved from the source to the target database at pre-determined intervals.
Organizations can choose one of the two per their convenience.