Migrate an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server
Created by Mark Szalkiewicz (AWS)
R Type: Replatform | Source: Databases: Relational | Target: Amazon RDS for Microsoft SQL Server |
Created by: AWS | Environment: PoC or pilot | Technologies: Databases; Migration |
Workload: Microsoft | AWS services: Amazon RDS |
Summary
This pattern provides guidance for migrating from an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server database to Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) for Microsoft SQL Server. It describes two options for migration: using AWS Data Migration Service (AWS DMS) or using native Microsoft SQL Server tools such as Copy Database Wizard.
Prerequisites and limitations
Prerequisites
An active AWS account
A source Microsoft SQL Server database in an on-premises data center
Limitations
Database size limit: 16 TB
Product versions
SQL Server 2012-2017, Enterprise, Standard, Workgroup, and Developer editions. For the latest list of supported versions and features, see Microsoft SQL Server on Amazon RDS in the AWS documentation. If you're using AWS DMS, see also Using a Microsoft SQL Server Database as a Target for AWS DMS for SQL Server versions supported by AWS DMS.
Architecture
Source technology stack
An on-premises Microsoft SQL Server database
Target technology stack
An Amazon RDS for Microsoft SQL Server DB instance
Source and target architecture
Using AWS DMS:

Using native Microsoft SQL Server tools:

Tools
AWS DMS - AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) supports several types of source and target databases. For details, see AWS DMS Step-by-Step Walkthroughs. If AWS DMS doesn't support the source database, select another method for migrating the data.
Native Microsoft SQL Server tools - Backup and restore; Copy Database Wizard: copy and attach database
Epics
Task | Description | Skills required |
---|---|---|
Validate the source and target database version and engine. | DBA | |
Identify the hardware requirements for the target server instance. | DBA, SysAdmin | |
Identify the storage requirements (storage type and capacity). | DBA, SysAdmin | |
Choose the proper instance type based on capacity, storage features, and network features. | DBA, SysAdmin | |
Identify the network access security requirements for source and target databases. | DBA, SysAdmin | |
Identify the application migration strategy. | DBA, SysAdmin |
Task | Description | Skills required |
---|---|---|
Create a virtual private cloud (VPC). | SysAdmin | |
Create security groups. | SysAdmin | |
Configure and start an Amazon RDS DB instance. | DBA, SysAdmin |
Task | Description | Skills required |
---|---|---|
Use native Microsoft SQL Server tools or third-party tools to migrate database objects and data. | DBA |
Task | Description | Skills required |
---|---|---|
Migrate data with AWS DMS. | DBA |
Task | Description | Skills required |
---|---|---|
Follow the application migration strategy. | DBA, SysAdmin, App owner |
Task | Description | Skills required |
---|---|---|
Switch the application clients over to the new infrastructure. | DBA, SysAdmin, App owner |
Task | Description | Skills required |
---|---|---|
Shut down the temporary AWS resources. | DBA, SysAdmin | |
Review and validate the project documents. | DBA, SysAdmin, App owner | |
Gather metrics around time to migrate, % of manual vs. tool, cost savings, etc. | DBA, SysAdmin, App owner | |
Close out the project and provide feedback. | DBA, SysAdmin, App owner |
Related resources
References
Tutorials and videos