How to migrate on-prem MS SQL Database to Azure Managed MS SQL?

Biswanath Giri
4 min readMay 17, 2023

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Step 1: Assess your environment

The first step is to assess your environment to determine the best migration path for you. You will need to consider the following factors:

  • The size and complexity of your database
  • The level of availability you need
  • Your budget

Step 2: Choose a migration method

There are several different ways to migrate your on-premises MS SQL to Azure Managed MS SQL. You can use:

  • The Azure Database Migration Service (DMS)
  • A third-party migration tool
  • Manually

Step 3: Prepare your environment

Once you have chosen a migration method, you will need to prepare your environment. This includes:

  • Creating a virtual network in Azure
  • Connecting your on-premises network to the virtual network
  • Creating a firewall rule to allow traffic between the two networks

Step 4: Start the migration

Once your environment is prepared, you can start the migration. If you are using DMS, you can create a migration project and select the databases that you want to migrate. You can then start the migration.

If you are using a third-party migration tool, you will need to follow the instructions provided by the tool.

If you are migrating manually, you will need to export your databases from your on-premises SQL Server and import them into Azure Managed MS SQL.

Step 5: Test your applications

Once the migration is complete, you will need to test your applications to make sure that they are working properly.

Here are some additional options for migrating your on-premises MS SQL to Azure Managed MS SQL:

  • Use Azure Database Migration Service (DMS)

DMS is a fully managed service that makes it easy to migrate your on-premises SQL Server to Azure Managed MS SQL. DMS can migrate your databases online or offline, and it supports a variety of migration methods, including:

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* Point-in-time migration
* Log shipping migration
* Bulk migration

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  • Use a third-party migration tool

There are a number of third-party migration tools that can be used to migrate your on-premises MS SQL to Azure Managed MS SQL. These tools offer a variety of features and capabilities, so you can choose one that best meets your needs.

  • Migrate manually

If you are comfortable working with SQL Server, you can migrate your databases manually. This involves exporting your databases from your on-premises SQL Server and importing them into Azure Managed MS SQL.

Here are some of the challenges you may face when migrating your on-premises MS SQL to Azure Managed MS SQL:

  • Compatibility issues

Some features of MS SQL may not be available in Azure Managed MS SQL. You will need to test your applications to make sure that they are working properly after the migration.

  • Performance issues

Azure Managed MS SQL is a cloud-based service and it may not perform as well as your on-premises MS SQL server. You will need to monitor your applications after the migration to make sure that they are performing as expected.

  • Security issues

You will need to ensure that your Azure Managed MS SQL instance is secure. You will need to implement appropriate security measures to protect your data.

  1. Network configuration

The first step is to configure your network to allow traffic between your on-premises SQL Server and Azure. You will need to create a virtual network in Azure and then create avnet gateway to connect your on-premises network to the virtual network. You will also need to create a firewall rule to allow traffic between the two networks.

  1. Bullet points of Post Migration

Once your network is configured, you can begin the migration process. Here are some of the steps involved in the post-migration process:

  • Create a new Azure SQL Managed Instance.
  • Create a migration project in Azure Database Migration Service (DMS).
  • Select the databases that you want to migrate.
  • Start the migration.
  • Monitor the migration progress.
  • Once the migration is complete, test your applications to make sure that they are working properly.
  1. Case study post migration

Here is a case study of a company that migrated their on-premises MS SQL to Azure Managed MS SQL:

A company was running their MS SQL on-premises. They were looking to move to the cloud to take advantage of the scalability and flexibility of Azure. They decided to migrate their MS SQL to Azure Managed MS SQL.

The migration process was smooth and the company was able to move their data and applications to Azure without any downtime. They are now able to take advantage of the scalability and flexibility of Azure Managed MS SQL.

  1. Challenges of issues post migration

There are a few challenges that you may face after migrating your on-premises MS SQL to Azure Managed MS SQL. These challenges include:

  • Compatibility issues: Some features of MS SQL may not be available in Azure Managed MS SQL. You will need to test your applications to make sure that they are working properly after the migration.
  • Performance issues: Azure Managed MS SQL is a cloud-based service and it may not perform as well as your on-premises MS SQL server. You will need to monitor your applications after the migration to make sure that they are performing as expected.
  • Security issues: You will need to ensure that your Azure Managed MS SQL instance is secure. You will need to implement appropriate security measures to protect your data.
  1. Replication can be configured or not, what are the issues will face?

Replication can be configured to migrate your on-premises MS SQL to Azure Managed MS SQL. There are a few benefits to using replication for migration:

  • It can be a more gradual migration process.
  • It can help to reduce the risk of data loss.
  • It can help to improve performance during the migration process.

However, there are also a few challenges to using replication for migration:

  • It can be a more complex process.
  • It can require more resources.
  • It can be more time-consuming.

If you are considering using replication for migration, you will need to weigh the benefits and challenges to decide if it is the best option for you.

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Biswanath Giri

Cloud & AI Architect | Empowering People in Cloud Computing, Google Cloud AI/ML, and Google Workspace | Enabling Businesses on Their Cloud Journey