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Azure Database Migration Service in Limited Preview

With previews announced at Microsoft's Build Conference, the database migration service will allow developers to migrate on-premises databases to the cloud without so much as a hiccup.

  • By Michael Domingo
  • 05/23/2017

One of the announcements to come out of Build in early May was the availability of a limited preview of the Azure Database Migration Service and the accompanying Azure SQL Database Managed Instance. Simply put, the Azure DB Migration Services provides a streamlined way for developers to migrate on-premises databases to the Azure cloud without so much as a hiccup.

It's a fairly elaborate process to migrate currently. As examples, here's a Microsoft Document that explains the tri-part process of moving a SQL Server 2008 R2 database to Azure SQL Database, and this video from the Microsoft Azure group explains the tooling needed to use the SQL Database Migration Wizard to do an on-prem-to-cloud migration.

Azure Database Migration Service is meant to simplify such complicated workflows. The hope is to automate the process of migrating SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL databases to either Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL DB Managed Instance, or SQL Server hosted on an Azure virtual machine. Before performing a migration, an assessment report is used to pinpoint issues that need to be addressed prior to a move. Once those issues are resolved, the migration can be carried out.

Azure SQL Database Managed Instance, in preview as well, is a new deployment option and as the name suggests, it's a fully managed instance of the Azure SQLDB, including backups, security, high availability and other features, encapsulated in an instance.

To sign up for the previews, go here. Channel 9 also has several Azure DB Migration Services-related sessions videos, including ones from Build, here. Redmond Magazine also has Build-related news on some of the new Azure SQL DB offerings, here.

About the Author

Michael Domingo is a long-time software publishing veteran, having started up and managed several developer publications for the Clipper compiler, Microsoft Access, and Visual Basic. He's also managed IT pubs for 1105 Media, including Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine and Virtualization Review before landing his current gig as Visual Studio Magazine Editor in Chief. Besides his publishing life, he's a professional photographer, whose work can be found by Googling domingophoto.

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