How To Migrate Azure SQL database from Standard Tier to Hyperscale Tier

Data migration

  1. Migrating involves creating a new Hyperscale database and moving your data to it.
  2. This process requires more planning and effort than upgrading, but it also provides more control over the migration process, allowing you to optimize performance, minimize downtime, and potentially reduce costs.
  3. if have a large and complex database with high performance requirements, migration may be a better option to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime.

Time Required

  1. It can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the database, the amount of data being migrated, and the network bandwidth available.
  2. the migration process can take several hours or even days to complete, especially for larger databases.
  3. During the migration process, data is copied from the Standard Tier database to the new Hyperscale database, and this can take some time depending on the amount of data to be copied.
  4. Enough time for the migration process and to closely monitor the progress to ensure that everything is working correctly

Benefits of Migration over Upgrade

  1. Performance optimization: Migrating to Hyperscale allows you to optimize performance for your specific workload. Hyperscale supports larger databases, higher transaction rates, and faster query response times compared to Standard Tier
  2. Cost savings: Migrating to Hyperscale can potentially reduce costs, especially for large and complex databases
  3. Minimal downtime: Migrating to Hyperscale allows you to minimize downtime by using various migration strategies such as online migration, which enables you to migrate your database while it’s still running.
  4. More control: Migrating to Hyperscale gives you more control over the migration process.

Prerequisite to Migrate an Azure SQL database from Standard Tier to Hyperscale Tier

  1. Check database compatibility: First, ensure that your existing Standard Tier database is compatible with Hyperscale Tier. You can check the compatibility of your database by running the Azure SQL Database Migration Assistant (DMA) tool, which can identify any compatibility issues and provide recommendations for resolving them.
  2. Review database dependencies: Next, review the dependencies of your database, such as connections, permissions, and linked servers, to ensure that they will continue to function correctly after the migration. Make a note of any dependencies that may need to be updated or reconfigured.
  3. Choose Hyperscale database size: Decide on the size of the Hyperscale database you want to create based on the compute and storage requirements of your application. Hyperscale databases can scale up to 100 TB, but you can start with a smaller size and scale up as needed.
  4. Provision new Hyperscale database: Provision a new Hyperscale database in Azure by selecting the “Create a resource” option in the Azure portal, choosing “SQL database” as the resource type, and then selecting “Hyperscale” as the deployment option. Configure the compute and storage resources for your database.
  5. Configure firewall rules: Hyperscale databases require separate firewall rules from other Azure SQL databases. Configure firewall rules for your new Hyperscale database by selecting the “Firewall and virtual networks” option in the Azure portal and adding the desired firewall rules.
  6. Create migration plan: Create a detailed migration plan that outlines the steps required to migrate your database, including the timing, sequence, and dependencies of each step. This should include steps for backing up your existing database, creating a new Hyperscale database, transferring your data and database schema, and updating your application connections.
  7. Test migration plan: Test your migration plan by performing a dry run of the migration using a copy of your database. This can help identify any issues or dependencies that may need to be resolved before the actual migration.
  8. Backup Standard Tier database: Before the migration, back up your existing Standard Tier database to ensure that you have a current copy of your data. This can be done using the Azure portal or Azure PowerShell.

Steps to Migrate an Azure SQL database from Standard Tier to Hyperscale

  1. Check database compatibility: Use the Azure SQL Database Migration Assistant (DMA) tool to check the compatibility of your existing Standard Tier database with Hyperscale Tier. DMA will identify any compatibility issues and provide recommendations for resolving them.
  2. Review database dependencies: Review the dependencies of your database, such as connections, permissions, and linked servers, to ensure that they will continue to function correctly after the migration. Make a note of any dependencies that may need to be updated or reconfigured.
  3. Choose Hyperscale database size: Decide on the size of the Hyperscale database you want to create based on the compute and storage requirements of your application. Hyperscale databases can scale up to 100 TB, but you can start with a smaller size and scale up as needed.
  4. Provision new Hyperscale database: Provision a new Hyperscale database in Azure by selecting the “Create a resource” option in the Azure portal, choosing “SQL database” as the resource type, and then selecting “Hyperscale” as the deployment option. Configure the compute and storage resources for your database.
  5. Configure firewall rules: Hyperscale databases require separate firewall rules from other Azure SQL databases. Configure firewall rules for your new Hyperscale database by selecting the “Firewall and virtual networks” option in the Azure portal and adding the desired firewall rules.
  6. Backup Standard Tier database: Before the migration, back up your existing Standard Tier database to ensure that you have a current copy of your data. This can be done using the Azure portal or Azure PowerShell.
  7. Restore backup to new Hyperscale database: Restore the backup of your Standard Tier database to the new Hyperscale database. This can be done using the Azure portal or Azure PowerShell.
  8. Update connection strings: Update the connection strings for your application to point to the new Hyperscale database. This can be done in your application code or configuration files.
  9. Test application connectivity: Test the connectivity of your application to the new Hyperscale database to ensure that it is working correctly. Update any dependencies, such as connection strings or permissions, as necessary.
  10. Optimize performance: Finally, optimize the performance of your new Hyperscale database by adjusting compute and storage resources, setting up automatic tuning, and configuring backups and recovery options.

Post Migration Steps:

Step 1: Verify database connectivity

  • Test the connectivity of your application to the new Hyperscale database.
  • Verify that your application can read and write data to the new database.

Step 2: Optimize performance

  • Adjust the compute and storage resources for your new Hyperscale database to optimize performance.
  • Enable automatic tuning to allow the database to optimize performance on its own.
  • Configure backups and recovery options for your new Hyperscale database.

Step 3: Monitor database performance

  • Use Azure Monitor to monitor the performance of your Hyperscale database.
  • Review the performance metrics and alerts generated by Azure Monitor to identify any potential performance issues.

Step 4: Verify database backups

  • Verify that your Hyperscale database is being backed up according to your backup schedule.
  • Test your ability to recover your database from a backup.

Step 5: Update your disaster recovery plan

  • Update your disaster recovery plan to account for the migration to Hyperscale Tier.
  • Ensure that you have a plan in place for recovering from any potential disasters that may impact your database.
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