Updated on 2024-10-14 GMT+08:00

Migration Solution Overview

You can migrate data from on-premises SQL Server databases or SQL Server databases built on other clouds to RDS for SQL Server, or from an RDS for SQL Server instance to another RDS for SQL Server instance.

Data migration tools include Data Replication Service (DRS) and Data Admin Service (DAS). You are advised to use DRS because it is easy to use and can complete a migration task in minutes. DRS facilitates data transfer between databases, helping you reduce DBA labor costs and hardware costs.

DRS provides backup migration and real-time synchronization.

  • Backup migration: You can export data from the source database for backup and upload the backup files to OBS. Then, you can restore the backup files to the destination database to complete the migration. Using this method, data migration can be completed without exposing your source databases to the Internet.
  • Real-time synchronization: Real-time synchronization refers to the real-time flow of key service data from sources to destinations through a synchronization instance while consistency of data can be ensured. It is different from migration. Migration means moving your overall database from one platform to another. Synchronization refers to the continuous flow of data between different services.

For more information, see What Is DRS?

Migration Solutions

Table 1 RDS for SQL Server migration solutions

Source Database

Data Size

One-Time or Continuous Migration

Application Downtime

Solution

Document

RDS for SQL Server

Medium

One-time

Some time

Use DAS to export data from the source and then import the data to the destination RDS for SQL Server instance.

Migrating Data to RDS for SQL Server Using the Export and Import Functions of DAS

Any

One-time or continuous

Minimal

Use DRS to migrate backup data from the source to the destination RDS for SQL Server instance.

Creating an RDS Backup Migration Task

Any

One-time or continuous

Minimal

Use DRS to synchronize data from the source to the destination RDS for SQL Server instance.

From Microsoft SQL Server to RDS for SQL Server

On-premises SQL Server databases

Any

One-time or continuous

Minimal

Use DRS to migrate backup data of on-premises SQL Server databases to RDS for SQL Server.

Migrating Microsoft SQL Server Backup Data to RDS for SQL Server Instance

Any

One-time or continuous

Minimal

Use DRS to synchronize data from on-premises SQL Server databases to RDS for SQL Server.

From Microsoft SQL Server to RDS for SQL Server

SQL Server databases on other clouds

Any

One-time or continuous

Minimal

Use DRS to migrate backup data of SQL Server databases on other clouds to RDS for SQL Server.

Creating a Backup Using OBS Buckets

Any

One-time or continuous

Minimal

Use DRS to synchronize data from SQL Server databases on other clouds to RDS for SQL Server.

From Microsoft SQL Server to RDS for SQL Server