Why Should You Use the Data Migration Service of AWS
AWS DMS (Amazon Web Service Database Migration Service) facilitates the migration of databases to the Web Service of Amazon.
There are several benefits of AWS data migration.
First, the AWS data migration service is very manageable and users do not have to install additional drivers or applications or make changes to the source database. They can initiate the migration process with just a few clicks on the AWS Management Console. Human intervention by DBAs during migration is not necessary as the changes at the source are instantly replicated to the target.
A very critical advantage of AWS data migration is that normal routine is not disrupted during migration. This is because changes that occur in the source database are continually replicated to the target database. As the source database is fully operational during migration there is no need for stopping work or downtime. After migration, the target database can be kept in sync with the source database as long as necessary to capture changed data after the primary migration.
AWS data migration supports the commonly used applications and databases. Both homogeneous migration like Oracle to Oracle and heterogeneous migration like Oracle to Amazon Aurora are supported by it. Migrations also take place from on-premises databases to Amazon RDS or Amazon EC2, Aurora as well as databases running on EC2 to RDS or vice versa. AWS data migration can also transfer data between SQL, NoSQL, and text-based data.
After understanding the benefits of AWS data migration, what are the types of migration that can be carried out?
Homogeneous AWS Data Migration
Both the source and the target database engines are the same and well-matched. Homogeneous migration is a one-step process as the schema structure, database code, and data types are compatible between the source and the target database. After the migration process is initiated with just a click of a button, the AWS data migration service takes over. Examples of this instance are Oracle to Amazon RDS for Oracle, MySQL to Amazon Aurora, MySQL to Amazon RDS for MySQL, or Microsoft SQL Server to Amazon RDS for SQL Server.
Heterogeneous AWS Data Migration
The source and the target database engines are different. Hence, a schema and code transformation are required before the start of the migrations as the data types, schema structure, and the database code of source and the target database is generally quite different. Heterogeneous migration is a two-step process. In the first, the AWS Schema Conversion Tool is used to convert the source code and schema to match that of the target database and in the second, the AWS data migration service migrates data from the source to the target database. Examples include Oracle to Amazon Aurora, Oracle to PostgreSQL, or Microsoft SQL Server to MySQL migrations.
Finally, AWS Database Migration Service is used to migrate data into and out of the cloud for development purposes.
