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Dear forum,
We're planning to migrate our DBs on a SQL server instance to a SQL managed instance. We're focussed on migration our dev/test instance first before doing production. The back-ups are done using the Azure Recovery Vault service. We would like to do the migration with minimal downtime so I was wondering what my options are.
I've explored the following option Tutorial: Migrate SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance online by using Azure Data Studio - Azure Database Migration Service but I have a question:
Thank you for your time,
Stephen.
Yes, creating a storage account and configuring backups to be uploaded to this storage account is a common step in the migration process from SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance. This is because the migration process often involves taking a backup of your on-premises SQL Server databases and restoring them on the Azure SQL Managed Instance
Hi Alex, thank you for the feedback. Do you also know if the guide referenced in the description also can be used for Azure SQL instances to Azure SQL Managed Instance or only for on-prem to Azure SQL managed instance?
NIJSTEN Stephen Please don't forget to mark as accept answer if the reply was helpful.
Regards,
Oury
Hi Alex, thanks for your advice. I've successfully migrated multiple DBs using a back-up and restore to and from a storage account. I had one remark about this:
I had some problems during the migration of a 500GB DB to one storage container. I had to do a stripped back-up into multipe storage containers + restore from these stripped back-ups which is not easily to be performed from out the GUI in MS SSMS. But I've succeeded so jobs done.
Hi Stephen, the guide you referenced is primarily designed for migrating from SQL Server (either on-premises or on virtual machines) to Azure SQL Managed Instance. However, the process of migrating from Azure SQL Database to Azure SQL Managed Instance is a bit different and might require additional steps.
As of my knowledge up to 2021, there isn’t a direct, built-in migration path from Azure SQL Database to Azure SQL Managed Instance. Typically, you would need to export a BACPAC file from your Azure SQL Database, and then import this BACPAC file into your Azure SQL Managed Instance.
As well note that the exact capabilities may vary depending on the specific version of Azure and Azure SQL Managed Instance you’re using, and newer features may have been added after my training data in 2021. Therefore, I recommend checking the latest Azure documentation or contacting Microsoft Support for the most accurate and up-to-date information. I hope this helps!
@NIJSTEN Stephen Thank you for reaching out.
Can DMS be used using Azure SQL DB as a source and Azure MI as a target? I didn't think it can at least according to the MS doc it's not listed as a source.
Agreed with Alex Burlachenko's answer. You will need to create an Azure blob storage for placing the backups for migration. DMS currently does not support the Azure recovery vault.Regards,
Oury