How to Migrate SQL Database from On Premise to Azure Step by Step?

Are you trying to learn how to migrate SQL database from on premise to Azure SQL? If so, then this is the perfect guide for you to find the best solutions. Although there are a few solutions available for the SQL Server migration to cloud SQL, we will be explaining the top 2 solutions from the manual & automated categories. Along with the Azure data migration from on premise to cloud methods, we will discuss the best practices to make the entire migration process seamless.

How Does On Premise SQL to Azure Migration Help? Reasons Explained

Before we step into the solutions to migrate SQL to Azure SQL, let’s take a moment to explore the common scenarios for this on premise to Azure migration & understand the causes for the same. After learning the causes, we will further proceed with the methods on how to migrate SQL database from on premise to Azure. 

• Cost Efficiency Factor
  • Minimum Hardware Maintenance – Maintaining physical servers, storage, and cooling infrastructure is often costly. However, users can reduce this cost by moving towards a cloud-based server.
  • Reduced Administrative Costs – Administrative costs like patching, backups, and upgrades are comparatively affordable than an on-premise SQL Server environment.
  • Pay Per Use Pricing Model – Only pay for what you use & avoid paying extra based on the demand & usage.
• Security Standards Factor
  • Better Security – Built-in threat detection, encryption, and access controls are some top-of-the-line security features of Azure SQL that users can avail of with this migration.
  • Compliance – Azure’s wide range of certifications meets worldwide compliance and regulations.
• Innovation and Agility Factor
  • Faster Time-to-Market – Azure’s on-demand resources help users deploy and scale applications with a really fast speed to migrate SQL on-prem to Azure.
  • Core Business Focus – Business growth and IT innovation can be taken into consideration by freeing up IT resources.
  • Latest Tech Access – Get benefits from the latest database technology upgrades and integrate them with Azure services seamlessly.
• Performance & Scalability Factor
  • Elastic Scaling – The scaling in Azure is flexible, as it allows users to easily adapt to high or low workloads with the utmost performance output.
  • Performance Optimization – Azure’s intelligent query processing and in-memory technologies can help in elevating performance standards.
  • Disaster Recovery & High Availability – Built-in features like automatic failover and geo-replication help increase high availability and minimize downtime.
• The Future Proofing Database Factor
  • Cloud Computing – Azure data migration from on premise to cloud can make the database secure from several challenges encountered in the SQL Server environment.

How to Migrate SQL Database from On-Premise to Azure? Best Ways

Well, there are a few ways available for users as mentioned below. Here we will be discussing the primary two ways, which are Azure Data Studio & using a professional utility in detail.

How to migrate SQL database from on premise to Azure? Know all major solutions available:

• Migrate to Azure SQL With Azure Data Studio Method
• Professional Solution for Azure data migration from on premise to cloud

Some Other Solutions Available for On-Premise SQL to Azure migration:

• DMA (Data Migration Assistant)
• DMS (Data Migration Services)
• Transactional Replication
• DACPAC
• BACPAC Import & Export
• BCP Import & Export
• Generating T-SQL Scripts

Azure SQL Migration Extension for Azure Data Studio Manual Method

Follow the steps carefully to ensure a smooth on premise to Azure migration. This method for learning how to migrate SQL database from on premise to Azure might be a little complex and requires technical knowledge; hence, it is advised to follow the methods after understanding each step.

Step-by-Step Solution Explained:

Step-1. Download and install Azure Data Studio & Azure SQL Migration Extension in the system.

Step-2. Open the extension in the Azure Data Studio & launch the Migrate to Azure SQL Migration wizard here.

Step-3. Select the databases for assessment and then check if the databases are ready for migration or not. Also, check for issues, if any, at this stage only.

Step-4. Now, users need to select an Azure account and destination SQL Azure database under their subscription.

Step-5. Choose the list of tables that are required to migrate from the source to the destination.

Step-6. Create a new Azure Database Migration Service or use one if there is any existing.

Step-7. Start Database migration & monitor the progress in Azure Data Studio.

Drawbacks of Manual Solution to Migrate SQL On Prem to Azure

Now that users are aware of the manual solution for on premise to Azure migration, they must go through the drawbacks of this solution to know the possible consequences of using the manual method for how to migrate SQL database from on premise to Azure. 

• Limited Scope – Small databases and less complex migrations can be easily done using this method, but large databases & more complex operations can be challenging.
• Manual Efforts – This Azure data migration from on premise to cloud method requires a high level of manual effort. For example, backup management, Azure environment setup in the destination, and migration monitoring.
• Downtime – Due to the involvement of offline migration, it requires the application to undergo downtime for a particular time. It makes on prem SQL Server to Azure migration tough for users.
• Limited Automation – Due to the nature of the operation, users have much fewer options for automation in this operation & they have to do more manual efforts.
• Skill Requirement – Users must be technically proficient in SQL Server, Azure, and migration operations. Without the required skills, the migration process can lead to bigger challenges.

Also Read: Restore Azure SQL Database from One Server to Another One.

On Premise SQL to Azure Migration Step by Step Using Automated Method

So far, users have explored the manual solution; now, it’s time to understand the expert-recommended solution. The SysTools SQL Server Migration Tool is quite advanced and can help users learn how to migrate SQL database from on premise to Azure with ease.

This tool is quite advanced as it can execute both on premise and cloud SQL migration. Along with offering efficient migration to Azure, the tool also allows users to migrate SQL Server database to MySQL Database. The tool also offers a free demo version, which makes it easier for users to test it out. 

Steps For On Premise to Azure Migration Using Expert Solution: 

Step-1. Install and Run the solution. Next, click on the Open button.

Step-2. Select Online or Offline source database selection.

Step-3. The tool will then scan the database objects. Preview Database Objects after scanning objects to migrate SQL to Azure SQL.

Step-4. Choose Azure SQL Server as the destination platform. Click on the Migrate button after adding the authentication details, for on premise to Azure migration.

Advantages of the Advanced Automated Solution

When it comes to the features and benefits of opting for the automated solution for how to migrate SQL database from on premise to Azure, there are many. Let’s take a quick look at the primary ones here.

• Four migration modes as mentioned below:
  • Live SQL Server Database to Live SQL Server/Azure Database/MySQL Database
  • Offline File (MDF) to Live SQL Server/Azure Database/MySQL Database
  • Live SQL Server Database to SQL Script
  • Offline File (MDF) to CSV Scripts
• Migrates the database with “only schema” and “schema with data” options.
• Migrate deleted data objects and records after recovering them from the server.
•  Users can migrate tables, rows, triggers, views, stored procedures, functions, etc.
• Quick and Advanced scan modes for low and high-level corruption in the database.
• Supports the SQL Server 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, 2005, & 2000.

Best Practices For a Safe and Secure On Premise to Azure Migration

Here are some of the precautionary steps that will help users to effectively carry out the entire migration process without risking the privacy and security of the data.

• The first step while migrating the database from SQL Server to a cloud server is proper and precise planning and assessment. This planning includes the schedule of the migration, the databases to be migrated and the destination server setup.
• Next, the database administrator needs to follow some pre-migration steps. Here are the things they need to keep in mid:
  • Ensure there are no unused objects. Clearing up irrelevant data will help migrate only the required objects.
  • Check and verify the connectivity between the target and source databases. Connection loss between the database can lead to data loss.
  • Align the datatypes to ensure there are no compatibility issues during the database migration.
• It is crucial to plan the migration process for effective database migration from on premise server to cloud server. Not planning the process and methods beforehand can lead to confusion during the process.
• Keeping a backup strategy prepared will help recover the database in case the migration process goes wrong.

The Final Say

Finally, we are well aware of the on premise SQL to Azure migration steps along with the drawbacks and benefits of each methods to migrate SQL to Azure SQL. If users opt for the ideal method and follow the steps carefully, they can learn how to migrate SQL database from on premise to Azure without any data corruption, loss or any other complexity. As per SQL experts and MVPs, users must opt for the advanced solution to get a more robust and reliable solution for Azure data migration from on premise to cloud.