Migrate an Oracle schema to SQL Server 2017 on Linux with the SQL Server Migration Assistant

This tutorial uses SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Oracle on Windows to convert the Oracle sample HR schema to SQL Server 2017 on Linux.

  • Download and install SSMA on Windows
  • Create an SSMA project to manage the migration
  • Connect to Oracle
  • Run a migration report
  • Convert the sample HR schema
  • Migrate the data

Prerequisites

  • An instance of Oracle 12c (12.2.0.1.0) with the HR schema installed
  • A working instance of SQL Server on Linux

Note

The same steps can be used to target SQL Server on Windows, but you must select Windows in the Migrate To project setting.

Download and install SSMA for Oracle

There are several editions of SQL Server Migration Assistant available, depending on your source database. Download the current version of SQL Server Migration Assistant for Oracle and install it using the instructions found on the download page.

Note

At this time, the SSMA for Oracle Extension Pack is not supported on Linux, but it is not necessary for this tutorial.

Create and set-up project

Use the following steps to create a new SSMA project:

  1. Open SSMA for Oracle and choose New Project from the File menu.

  2. Give the project a name.

  3. Choose "SQL Server 2017 (Linux) - Preview" in the Migrate To field.

SSMA for Oracle does not use the Oracle sample schemas by default. To enable the HR schema, use the following steps:

  1. In SSMA, select the Tools menu.

  2. Select Default Project Settings, and then choose Loading System Objects.

  3. Make sure HR is checked, and choose OK.

Connect to Oracle

Next connect SSMA to Oracle.

  1. On the toolbar, click Connect to Oracle.

  2. Enter the server name, port, Oracle SID, user name, and password.

    Connect to Oracle

  3. Then click Connect. In a few moments, SSMA for Oracle connects to your database and reads its metadata.

Create a report

Use the following steps to generate a migration report.

  1. In the Oracle Metadata Explorer, expand your server's node.

  2. Expand Schemas, right-click HR, and select Create Report.

    Oracle Metadata Explorer Create Report

  3. A new browser window opens with a report that lists all of the warnings and errors associated with the conversion.

    Note

    You don't need to do anything with that list for this tutorial. If you perform these steps for your own Oracle database, you should review the report to address any important conversion problems for your database.

    Sample Migration Report

Connect to SQL Server

Next choose Connect to SQL Server and enter the appropriate connection information. If you use a database name that doesn't already exist, SSMA for Oracle creates it for you.

Connect to SQL Server

Convert Schema

Right-click on HR in Oracle Metadata Explorer, and choose Convert Schema.

Convert Schema

Synchronize Database

Next, synchronize your database.

  1. Once the conversion is finished, use the SQL Server Metadata Explorer to go to the database you created in the previous step.

  2. Right-click on your database, select Synchronize with Database, and then click OK.

    Synchronize With Database

Migrate data

The final step is to migrate your data.

  1. In the Oracle Metadata Explorer, right-click on HR, and select Migrate Data.

  2. The data migration step requires that you reenter your Oracle and SQL Server credentials.

  3. When finished, review the data migration report, which should look similar to the following screenshot:

    Data Migration Report

Next steps

For a more complex Oracle schema, the conversion process would involve more time, testing, and possible changes to client applications. The purpose of this tutorial is to show how you can use SSMA for Oracle as a part of your overall migration process.

In this tutorial, you learned how to:

  • Install SSMA on Windows
  • Create a new SSMA project
  • Assess and run a migration from Oracle

Next, explore other ways to use SSMA: