Get started with SSMA for Db2 (Db2ToSQL)
SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Db2 lets you quickly convert Db2 database schemas to SQL Server schemas, upload the resulting schemas into SQL Server and migrate data from Db2 to SQL Server.
This article introduces the installation process, and then helps familiarize you with the SSMA user interface.
Install SSMA
To use SSMA, you first must install the SSMA client program on a computer that can access both the source Db2 database and the target instance of SQL Server. Db2 OLEDB providers on the computer that is running SQL Server. These components support data migration and the emulation of Db2 system functions. For installation instructions, see Install SSMA for Db2.
To start SSMA, open the Start menu and navigate to All Programs > SQL Server Migration Assistant for Db2, and then select SQL Server Migration Assistant for Db2.
SSMA for Db2 user interface
After SSMA is installed, you can use SSMA to migrate Db2 databases to SQL Server. It helps to become familiar with the SSMA user interface before you start. The following diagram shows the user interface for SSMA, including the metadata explorers, metadata, toolbars, output pane, and error list pane:
To start a migration, you must first create a new project. Then, you connect to an Db2 database. After a successful connection, Db2 schemas will appear in Db2 Metadata Explorer. You can then right-click objects in Db2 Metadata Explorer to perform tasks such as create reports that assess conversions to SQL Server. You can also perform these tasks by using the toolbars and menus.
You must also connect to an instance of SQL Server. After a successful connection, a hierarchy of SQL Server databases will appear in SQL Server Metadata Explorer. After you convert Db2 schemas to SQL Server schemas, select those converted schemas in SQL Server Metadata Explorer, and then synchronize the schemas with SQL Server.
After you synchronize converted schemas with SQL Server, you can return to Db2 Metadata Explorer and migrate data from Db2 schemas into SQL Server databases.
For more information about these tasks and how to perform them, see Migrate Db2 Databases to SQL Server.
The following sections describe the features of the SSMA user interface.
Metadata explorers
SSMA contains two metadata explorers to browse and perform actions on Db2 and SQL Server databases.
Db2 Metadata Explorer
Db2 Metadata Explorer shows information about Db2 schemas. By using Db2 Metadata Explorer, you can perform the following tasks:
Browse the objects in each schema.
Select objects for conversion, and then convert the objects to SQL Server syntax. For more information, see Convert Db2 schemas.
Select tables for data migration, and then migrate the data from those tables to SQL Server. For more information, see Migrate Db2 Databases to SQL Server.
SQL Server Metadata Explorer
SQL Server Metadata Explorer shows information about an instance of SQL Server. When you connect to an instance of SQL Server, SSMA retrieves metadata about that instance and stores it in the project file.
You can use SQL Server Metadata Explorer to select converted Db2 database objects, and then synchronize those objects with the instance of SQL Server.
Metadata
To the right of each metadata explorer are tabs that describe the selected object. For example, if you select a table in Db2 Metadata Explorer, six tabs appear: Table, SQL, Type Mapping,Report, Properties, and Data. The Report tab contains information only after you create a report that contains the selected object. If you select a table in SQL Server Metadata Explorer, three tabs appear: Table, SQL, and Data.
Most metadata settings are read-only. However, you can alter the following metadata:
In Db2 Metadata Explorer, you can alter procedures and type mappings. To convert the altered procedures and type mappings, make changes before you convert schemas.
In SQL Server Metadata Explorer, you can alter the Transact-SQL for stored procedures. To see these changes in SQL Server, make these changes before you load the schemas into SQL Server.
Changes made in a metadata explorer are reflected in the project metadata, not in the source or target databases.
Toolbars
SSMA has two toolbars: a project toolbar and a migration toolbar.
The Project toolbar
The project toolbar contains buttons for working with projects, connecting to Db2, and connecting to SQL Server. These buttons resemble the commands on the File menu.
Migration toolbar
The following table shows the migration toolbar commands:
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| Create Report | Converts the selected Db2 objects to SQL Server syntax, and then creates a report that shows how successful the conversion was. This command is disabled unless objects are selected in Db2 Metadata Explorer. |
| Convert Schema | Converts the selected Db2 objects to SQL Server objects. This command is disabled unless objects are selected in Db2 Metadata Explorer. |
| Migrate Data | Migrates data from the Db2 database to SQL Server. Before you run this command, you must convert the Db2 schemas to SQL Server schemas, and then load the objects into SQL Server. This command is disabled unless objects are selected in Db2 Metadata Explorer. |
| Stop | Stops the current process. |
Menus
The following table shows the SSMA menus.
| Menu | Description |
|---|---|
| File | Contains commands for working with projects, connecting to Db2, and connecting to SQL Server. |
| Edit | Contains commands for finding and working with text in the details pages, such as copying Transact-SQL from the SQL details pane. Also contains the Manage Bookmarks option, where you're able to see a list of existing bookmarks. You can use the buttons on the right side of the dialog to manage the bookmarks. |
| View | Contains the Synchronize Metadata Explorers command. That synchronizes the objects between Db2 Metadata Explorer and SQL Server Metadata Explorer. Also contains commands to show and hide the Output and Error List panes and an option Layouts to manage the Layouts. |
| Tools | Contains commands to create reports, and migrate objects and data. Also provides access to the Global Settings and Project Settings dialog boxes. |
| Help | Provides access to SSMA Help and to the About dialog box. |
Output pane and Error List pane
The View menu provides commands to toggle the visibility of the Output pane and the Error List pane:
The output pane shows status messages from SSMA during object conversion, object synchronization, and data migration.
The Error List pane shows error, warning, and informational messages in a sortable list.