Introduction

  • 3 minutes

Migrating SQL Server databases to Azure SQL can provide many benefits, including improved scalability, performance, and cost savings. However, before migrating, it’s important to identify any compatibility issues or potential blockers that may prevent a successful migration.

Use case scenario

Throughout this module, we're using an example scenario to explain key data migration concepts.

You've been hired as a senior database administrator at a global retailer company and you're working with consultants and architects to initiate a data platform modernization project that meets the organization's technical and business requirements.

The organization has a large number of different databases that underpin business-critical functions such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM), stock management, distribution, and human resources. As the company has grown by acquisition, new SQL Server-based instances and databases have been brought into the responsibility of a unified IT department. The company now runs many on-premises databases on different versions across multiple servers. You'd like to standardize and modernize their data estate but you don't know how much administrative and development effort it requires.

Your main responsibility is to identify what is needed and ultimately migrate several SQL Server databases from on-premises servers to Azure with as minimum disruption as possible.

In this module, you learn about common compatibility issues and blockers, as well as the various tools and options available for assessing and migrating SQL Server databases to Azure SQL.

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you'll be able to:

  • Understand common compatibility issues and blockers that may prevent a migration to Azure SQL.
  • Discover the various tools and options available for assessing SQL Server databases for migration purposes.
  • Use the Azure migration extension for Azure Data Studio to assess SQL Server databases.
  • Use the Azure Migrate and other tools to assess SQL Server databases.

Prerequisites

  • Experience in administering SQL Server databases.
  • Knowledge of SQL Server editions and versions.
  • Understanding of how to upgrade SQL Server databases.