We are excited to announce the private preview of an integrated end-to-end SQL Server migration journey to Azure, enabled by Azure Arc
Migrating your on-premises SQL Server to Azure used to require multiple tools and involve several disconnected steps. We have addressed these challenges with an integrated all-in-one migration experience for Arc-enabled SQL Servers. Our new solution eliminates the need for additional software or tools, requiring only Arc-enablement of your SQL Server to complete the entire end-to-end migration journey. We refer to this experience as a journey because the migration process can span several days or even weeks. Our solution manages every step along the way, allowing you the flexibility to pick up where you left off at any time.
About the solution
The Arc-enabled migration integrates all steps of the migration journey into a single, simple-to-use experience. The solution starts by providing an overview of the benefits of Azure SQL services and modernizing your SQL Server in Azure. It offers continuous automated assessments of your SQL Server databases, providing recommendations for migration to various Azure SQL destinations. Based on these recommendations, an appropriate Azure SQL destination is suggested, tailored to your workload needs. Thereafter, you can choose to provision the recommended Azure SQL service in Azure and start the migration process. Throughout the process, you can monitor the ongoing migrations, evaluate data replicated in Azure, and control the cutover point to Azure according to your business requirements.
Figure 1: Integrated Arc enabled end to end migrations experience.
Note: Functionality, look and feel of preview product experiences are subject to change.
This release is limited to migrating SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed Instance only using the link feature as one of the best performing minimum downtime migration solutions. It does not provide other migration options or destinations at this time.
Hands-on
We love hearing back from our customers! Your participation in the private preview and working with the product group can influence the product roadmap.
If you're interested in evaluating your SQL Server workloads for migration to Azure or are ready to migrate, please fill out our application form to request an invitation to the private preview:
https://aka.ms/arc-migrations-preview
Our product team will select candidates on an ongoing basis based on onboarding capacity.
Additional resources
Microsoft