Your Guide to a Smooth AWS RDS Migration

The cloud is no longer a future goal; it's a present reality. Over 94% of enterprises already use a cloud service. A prime destination for databases is Amazon Web Services (AWS), specifically its Relational Database Service (RDS). But how do you get your valuable data there?

This post details your path to a successful AWS RDS data migration.

What is an Amazon RDS database?

Think of Amazon RDS as a database on autopilot. Normally, you manage the server, install the database software, handle patches, and perform backups. With RDS, Amazon does all that heavy work for you.

It supports popular database engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Oracle, and SQL Server. You just choose an engine and the instance size, and AWS handles the rest. This automation is a huge win. In fact, businesses that adopt cloud services like RDS can reduce their IT infrastructure costs by up to 40%.

Why make the move? The AWS RDS migration drivers

Databases move to RDS for several key reasons:

Cost reduction: You stop paying for server hardware, power, and maintenance. You pay only for what you use.
Reduced admin work: RDS automates tasks like provisioning, patching, and backups. This frees up your database administrators for more strategic work. Studies show such automation can improve productivity for up to 90% of team members.
Scalability & performance: Need more power? You can scale your database instance up or down with a few clicks. The elasticity of this level is almost impossible to achieve with on-premises hardware.
High availability: RDS helps set up multi-location (Multi-AZ) deployments. If one location fails, your database automatically switches to a standby, a process that can take less than a minute.

Amazon RDS database migration strategies: homogeneous vs. heterogeneous

Your migration path depends on your source and target databases. There are two main types.

Homogeneous migration

This is the simple path. You move between identical database engines. For example, you move a MySQL database from your local server to MySQL on RDS.

Source Engine equals Target Engine

The schema (the database structure) stays the same, so the main task is to move the data. AWS Database Migration Service handles this type of move with ease.

Heterogeneous migration

This is the more complex path. You move between different database engines. A classic example is a move from an on-premises Oracle database to PostgreSQL on RDS.

Source Engine isn't the same as Target Engine

The database schema, data types, and stored procedures are different. That is why you need a two-step process:

Schema conversion: You must translate the source schema to a format that the target database understands.
Data migration: After the new schema is ready, you move the data.

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Such a migration process can be complex. Many heterogeneous migrations face challenges with schema conversion. That is why you'll want to turn to specialized tools. While AWS provides its Schema Conversion Tool, complex projects often need more power.

SQLWays is a better option for this job. It uses intelligent automation to handle tricky conversions between over 15 source and target databases, which can accelerate the project timeline by more than 50%.

Migration and planning tools

So, you have great tools at your disposal for the migration:

AWS Database Migration Service is a native AWS tool. It's excellent for most migrations, especially homogeneous ones. It supports continuous data replication to minimize downtime.
SQLWays is for tough heterogeneous migrations, a powerful third-party solution. It automates the complex schema and code conversion process, reducing human error and saving hundreds of hours of manual work.

A strategic approach to migration is also vital. To make sure you have nearly perfect information about your future migration project, it's best to take advantage of planning tools. One such tool, InsightWays, can perform a comprehensive pre-migration assessment. It scans your entire database, defines its complexity, and highlights potential issues.

InsightWays helps you choose the right strategy, forecast costs, and identify potential risks before you start the move. The expert guidance is often the difference between a smooth transition and a costly failure.

Need AWS database migration service? Ispirer can help!

While AWS DMS is a robust service for the data transfer itself, a successful project involves more. Real-world migrations need deep assessment, careful code conversion, and rigorous testing. For a complete, turnkey migration that covers every step from initial plan to final switch, a discussion with Ispirer is your best move.

Let our experts handle the entire process and validate it, so you get a seamless transition with zero downtime and stress. Reach out!