When migrating an Oracle database to Google Cloud, you have several options and migration strategies to choose

Biswanath Giri
3 min readMay 17, 2023

--

Lift and Shift:

  • Create a virtual machine (VM) on Google Cloud to replicate the Oracle database environment.
  • Install Oracle Database software on the VM.
  • Perform a database backup and restore it to the VM.
  • Modify the application connection strings to point to the new Oracle database on Google Cloud.
  • This approach minimizes changes to the application code but does not take full advantage of cloud-native features.

Oracle Data Pump Export and Import:

  • Use Oracle Data Pump to export the database schema and data from the source Oracle database.
  • Transfer the export dump file to Google Cloud Storage.
  • Create a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance on Google Cloud.
  • Use the PostgreSQL pg_restore utility to import the dump file into the Cloud SQL instance.
  • Adjust application connections and configurations to connect to the new PostgreSQL database.
  • This approach requires manual steps and may not support all Oracle-specific features.

Database Migration Service:

  • Use Google’s Database Migration Service (DMS) to migrate the Oracle database to Google Cloud.
  • Set up the source and target database connections.
  • Configure the migration task, including specifying the source and target database details.
  • Start the migration process, and DMS will handle the data replication and schema conversion.
  • Monitor the migration progress and verify data integrity.
  • Update application connections and configurations to use the migrated database on Google Cloud.
  • This approach automates much of the migration process but may require additional configuration for complex database schemas or features.

Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL Data Import:

  • Create a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance on Google Cloud.
  • Export the Oracle database schema and data using Oracle Data Pump or other tools.
  • Transform the Oracle database schema and data to match PostgreSQL requirements (e.g., data types, functions, syntax).
  • Transfer the transformed data to Google Cloud Storage.
  • Use the Cloud SQL import functionality to import the data into the PostgreSQL instance.
  • Update application connections and configurations to connect to the new PostgreSQL database.
  • This approach requires manual transformation and may not support all Oracle-specific features.

Oracle GoldenGate:

  • Set up an Oracle GoldenGate replication solution between the source Oracle database and a target Google Cloud instance, such as Google Cloud SQL for Oracle or Google Cloud VMware Engine.
  • Configure the necessary Extract and Replicat processes to capture and replicate data changes from the source to the target.
  • Monitor and validate the replication process to ensure data integrity.
  • Adjust application connections and configurations to use the target Google Cloud instance.
  • This approach provides real-time replication but requires additional setup and management.

Third-Party Migration Tools:

  • Use third-party migration tools like AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS), Quest SharePlex, or others that support Oracle to PostgreSQL migration.
  • Set up the source and target database connections.
  • Configure the migration tasks based on the specific tool’s instructions.
  • Initiate and monitor the migration process, ensuring data integrity and consistency.
  • Adjust application connections and configurations to use the PostgreSQL database on Google Cloud.
  • These tools often provide more advanced features for complex migrations but may involve additional licensing costs.

When selecting the migration strategy, consider factors such as the complexity of the database schema, data size, downtime tolerance, and any Oracle-specific features or customizations in your environment. It’s recommended to thoroughly evaluate each option and choose the one that best suits your specific requirements and constraints.

--

--

Biswanath Giri

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