Best Solution for Migrating SQL Server Database to Microsoft Azure SQL
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system which provides extra flexibility to the DBA for managing their databases. Many business organizations use it to save their business data. While on the other hand, the Microsoft Azure SQL database is the managed cloud database (SaaS) provided as a part of MS Azure. It is a relational cloud service that maximizes performance, data protection & flexibility. However, there are many people who want to move their business data to the cloud platform. But, they are unable to find the perfect method for migrating the SQL server database to the Microsoft Azure SQL database.
Therefore, to resolve the user problem we come-up with this write-up & suggested the best SQL to Azure Migrator Software. But, before the solution in detail let’s understand the need to move SQL database to Azure.
Need to Export Data from SQL Server to Azure SQL Server
There are various benefits to importing SQL Server databases to Azure some of them are given below:
1- Wide range of cloud services & functionalities like networking, analytics, storage, etc., are offered by Azure
2- Comparing the cost and security features Azure database is better as compared to SQL Server
3- Azure provides high scalability and availability
4- Improved business agility & Advanced Security features by Azure
Perfect Solution to Migrate SQL Server Database to Azure
SysTools SQL to Azure Migration Tool allows users to export SQL Server database to Azure database. This program migrates triggers, tables, and stored procedures to the Azure SQL database. This utility offers the functionality to move the corrupted database into a healthy state from the local SQL server to the Azure database. Along with this, it is also possible for the users to transfer deleted SQL database records to the Azure SQL server. For migrating SQL server database to Microsoft Azure SQL you can use this application on any Windows Operating System.
The utility is smart enough to auto-detect the version of SQL server files before migrating them to the Azure SQL database. However, if the user knows the actual version of the Azure SQL database file. Then, in such cases, the tool provides an option to check the appropriate SQL Server version manually. It also provides the facility to export selective database objects. Moreover, users can transfer selected data items ‘With Schema’ or ‘With Schema & Data. Lastly, the tool also supports exporting databases from SQL Server 2017 & below versions.
Steps for Migrating SQL Server Database to Microsoft Azure SQL
Follow these simple steps to export data from SQL server to Azure
1- Install and Run SQL to Azure Migrator Software on the local machine
2- Click the Open button for selecting the desired MDF file for the migration process
3- Now, select the Scan mode & check the Autodetect option, if you don’t know the SQL MDF file version otherwise select it manually
4- Choose NDF Options present in the second tab. Now, choose the first radio button if you want to detect NDF file automatically
5- Select the second radio button to add NDF files manually, then click on Add Files / Add Folder option to add the NDF files for migration
6- View the summarized detail of the selected MDF files & the automatic scanning process gets started
7- Save the scanned MDF file in .str file format. If you want to save .str then click Yes otherwise No
8- View database records of MDF and NDF files such as Tables, Triggers, Stored procedures, Views, etc.
9- Click the Migrate button for migrating SQL server database to Microsoft Azure SQL
10- In the migration options panel fill the details like:
Azure SQL Server Name, Authentication, Username, Password and click the Connect option
11- Now, click on the Drop Down button, the tool will preview the list of all the existing databases. Select the database on which you want to migrate
12- Choose the database objects to migrate in Azure SQL Database
13- For exporting, the software will give an option to export the migrated data ‘With Only Schema’ or ‘With Schema & Data’
14- Select any of the above options as per the requirement & Click the Migrate button.
Software Availability
The software is available in two versions i.e Demo version and the full version.
Demo Version: The demo version of the software can generate a preview of all components & can migrate SQL server data to Microsoft Azure SQL. But, it will export 25 records of each table & 5 other database objects.
Full Version: The complete or full version of the tool can export the SQL Server database to Azure without any limitation on the number of records & database objects.
Conclusion
Having an efficient database makes it easy for the organization to manage & store the data. SQL Server is the first choice for the users for managing the business data. But, nowadays users prefer to export data from SQL server to Azure due to multiple features offered by the Azure. Therefore, considering this in mind here we have described the best solution by SysTools for migrating SQL Server Database to Microsoft Azure SQL.
