Streamline Database Migration with AWS Schema Conversion Tool

Migrating databases can be a complex and challenging task, often compared to moving into a new house. While the destination—a new database engine—promises exciting new capabilities, the process of packing, transporting, and unpacking data can be daunting. The AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is designed to simplify this process, acting as a translator, engineer, and project manager all in one. It automates much of the tedious work, reduces risk, and lowers costs associated with database migrations, making the transition smoother and more predictable.

What Makes Database Migration Complex?

Migrating a database is not simply copying data from one place to another. It's more like understanding the language and structure in point A and making sure it works correctly when translated and integrated to point B

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One of the significant challenges in database migration is the translation of the underlying structure, also known as schema conversion. Different database engines, such as Oracle and Amazon Aurora, don't inherently speak the same language. Oracle, for instance, might use proprietary data types, functions, and procedures that Amazon Aurora doesn't understand. These variations can be a huge hassle for organizations wanting to change database engines.

Without the proper tools, rewriting schemas and converting code line by line can take days, weeks, or even months. This process, if handled manually, consumes a lot of time and resources, which could have been better spent on improving the core parts of business activities.

Key considerations when migrating databases:

• Data Type Compatibility: Ensuring that data types are correctly translated between different database systems.
• Schema Differences: Adjusting schemas to align with the target database engine's requirements.
• Code Conversion: Modifying stored procedures, functions, and triggers to work with the new database system.
• Application Compatibility: Updating application code to interact seamlessly with the migrated database.

Simplifying Database Migration with Automation

The AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is designed to simplify one of the most complex parts of database migration: translating the underlying structure

. It automates much of the heavy lifting involved in schema conversion, making the migration process more manageable and efficient.

SCT works by scanning your source database and providing a detailed report on what's compatible and what's not. This initial assessment gives you a clear understanding of the scope of work involved and helps you plan the migration effectively

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Moreover, SCT goes a step further by automatically converting the schema for you wherever possible. This includes tables, views, stored procedures, functions, and even triggers

. By automating these conversions, SCT significantly reduces the manual effort required, freeing up your team to focus on testing and optimization.

The tool also provides a detailed report showing what was converted, what wasn't, and what requires manual attention. This level of transparency ensures that you have full control over the migration process, minimizing surprises and enhancing predictability.

Database Scanning and Assessment

1. Download and install AWS SCT: You can download AWS SCT tool from the AWS official website and install it on your local machine.
2. Connect to your source database: After the installation, connect your source database, such as Oracle, SQL Server, or MySQL.
3. Initiate the scanning process: AWS SCT scans the source database and analyzes each schema object .

After scanning, AWS SCT presents a detailed report that highlights compatible and incompatible objects. The report includes a compatibility assessment with actionable recommendations for converting incompatible schemas to the target database. This helps you plan for the resource and time needed to perform the conversion.

Automated Schema Conversion

1. Select Target Database: In the SCT, specify the target database to which you intend to migrate. AWS SCT supports a variety of databases, including Amazon Aurora, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.
2. Initiate Schema Conversion: Once the target database is set, AWS SCT automatically converts the source database schema objects to a format compatible with the target database .

The automated schema conversion process includes:

• Table Conversions: Converts the structure of tables and their associated constraints.
• View Conversions: Translates views to the equivalent format in the target database.
• Stored Procedure Conversions: Adapts stored procedures to function correctly in the new environment.
• Function and Trigger Conversions: Converts functions and triggers to ensure they operate as expected in the target database.

AWS SCT identifies objects that it can automatically convert and those that need manual modifications. This level of detailed feedback is essential for efficient and error-free database migrations.

Embedded SQL Adaptation

1. Analyze Application Code: You need to integrate AWS SCT with your application to analyze the source code for embedded SQL queries

   . AWS SCT scans the code and recognizes the SQL queries.

2. Adapt SQL Queries: AWS SCT helps modify SQL queries to ensure they are compatible with the target database. This step is crucial because queries written for one database might not work correctly on another

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3. Test the Application: After adapting SQL queries, it's important to test your application thoroughly to ensure that all database interactions are functioning correctly. This helps catch any issues and ensures a smooth transition to the new database.

Cost-Effective Database Migration

The AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) itself is available at no cost, making it a highly economical choice for organizations planning database migrations. However, it's important to be aware of other associated costs that may arise during the migration process .

While AWS SCT automates many aspects of schema conversion, manual intervention is sometimes necessary. This may involve rewriting code, optimizing queries, or resolving compatibility issues. The labor costs associated with these tasks should be factored into your overall budget.

By automating a significant portion of the conversion work, AWS SCT helps to lower costs and free up your team for testing, optimization, and other essential tasks. This ensures that your database migration is not only efficient but also cost-effective.

Automated Schema Conversion

AWS Schema Conversion Tool automates the conversion of database schema objects from source to target database engines. This automation reduces the need for manual intervention, saving time and resources. It supports a wide range of database engines including Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Amazon Aurora. The tool scans the source database, assesses the schema and identifies objects that can be automatically converted .

Application Code Adaptation

The Application Code Adaptation converts embedded SQL queries within applications to ensure compatibility with the target database. It supports multiple programming languages such as Java and .NET, and helps in adapting SQL queries so they function correctly on the new database. AWS SCT helps application code seamlessly integrate with the migrated database and makes application testing more manageable .

Detailed Assessment Reports

AWS Schema Conversion Tool provides comprehensive assessment reports that detail what is compatible, what isn't, and what requires manual intervention. These reports offer clear insights into the complexities of the migration. Each report lists all database objects with an overview of each objects compatibility for migration. These reports guide the migration process, improve predictability and minimize potential surprises .

Local Operation

The AWS Schema Conversion Tool operates locally on your computer, your data stays within your secure environment during the analysis and conversion processes. This approach is essential for maintaining compliance and security, especially when dealing with sensitive data .

Integration with AWS DMS

AWS SCT integrates with AWS Database Migration Service, AWS DMS ensures a seamless data transfer from the source to the target database. Integrating with AWS DMS minimizes disruptions during database migration

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Migrating from Commercial to Open-Source Databases

Many organizations use AWS SCT to migrate from commercial databases to open-source alternatives for cost savings. AWS SCT simplifies the process of moving from Oracle or SQL Server to PostgreSQL or MySQL

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Modernizing Legacy Applications

Companies use AWS SCT to modernize their legacy applications by migrating their databases to newer platforms. This helps them leverage the features and benefits of modern database systems while minimizing the complexities of migration .

Consolidating Databases

Enterprises use AWS SCT to consolidate multiple databases into a single platform for better management. AWS SCT helps make data and workflows more efficient

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