Data Migration - Azure SQL MI and Azure SQL DB
Data Migration Between Azure SQL Managed Instance and Azure SQL Database: Methods and Considerations As of this writing, Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) doesn't support SQL MI nor SQL DB as the source database (Supported migration scenarios). As an alternative to use DMS, one of the common support requests we receive from Azure SQL customers is about the best ways to migrate data between Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI) and Azure SQL Database (SQL DB), or vice versa. This post outlines the primary methods available, their pros and cons, and key considerations to help you choose the right approach for your scenario. 1. BACPAC Export/Import Overview: This is a straightforward method where you export your database schema and data to a BACPAC file, then import it into the target environment. Key Points: Simplicity: Easy to use for small to medium-sized databases. Limitations: The BACPAC file size is limited to 200GB when exporting to Azure Blob Storage. Considerations: Larger databases may require splitting or alternative methods. Some features and objects (like certain types of indexes or security settings) may not be fully supported in BACPAC exports/imports. 2. Transactional Replication Overview: If your business requires data to be online during the migration, transactional replication may be your choice. Key Points: Online Migration: Enables near real-time data replication, making it suitable for scenarios where minimal downtime is required. Initialization Challenges: Large tables (having size of hundreds of GBs or more) can make the initial snapshot and data transfer challenging. One-way Only: This method only supports migration from SQL MI to SQL DB, not the other way around. SQL DB cannot act as a publisher due to the lack of Replication Agent (SQL Server Agent) support. 3. Azure Data Factory (ADF) Overview: ADF is a flexible, cloud-based ETL service that can orchestrate data movement between SQL MI and SQL DB. Key Points: Flexibility: Supports both offline and (with limitations) online migrations. Learning Curve: Some initial setup and learning may be required if you’re new to ADF. Online Migration Limitations: Online migration using ADF requires configuring Change Data Capture (CDC) on the source, which is not supported for SQL DB as a source. This means online migration is only feasible from SQL MI to SQL DB, not the reverse Here’s a sample decision matrix to help you choose the best migration method between SQL MI and SQL DB Criteria / Scenario BACPAC Export/Import Transactional Replication Azure Data Factory Direction: SQL MI -> SQL DB ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Direction: SQL DB -> SQL MI ✔️ ❌ ✔️ Database Size < 200GB ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Database Size > 200GB ❌ ✔️ ✔️ Minimal Downtime Needed ❌ ✔️ Partial* Online Migration ❌ ✔️ Partial* Learning Curve Low Medium Medium *ADF can support near-online migration if Change Data Capture (CDC) is enabled on the source, but CDC is not supported for SQL DB as a source.Custom RBAC to access QPI's query text with minimal permissions
Custom RBAC to access Query Performance Insight's query text with minimal permissions. The solution described in this article applies to Azure SQL Database, Azure Database for MySQL v.5.7, 8.0 and Azure Database for PostgreSQL v. 9.6,10,11.Stop Azure SQL Database
We have several cases where our customers are looking for ways to stop an Azure SQL Database. Some common scenarios where our customers request this option are when they want to decommission an Azure SQL Database and want to ensure that no one is using the database, or because the customer wants to save some money and stop the database during the hours they are not using it. Stopping an Azure SQL Database is not currently supported, but there are several options that could be helpful in these scenarios:Export Azure SQL Database | Advanced Scenarios
Introduction: Export Azure SQL Database is a common request for Azure SQL DB customers, in this article we are going to list down some advanced scenarios, on how this can be achievable through various tools not limited to Azure Portal, Azure CLI and PowerShell. In addition, this article will provide alternative methods when it comes to private endpoints and deny public access. Scenarios: In this section, we are going through the scenarios and provide a thoughtful insight on each one. Note: - Import Export using Private Link now in public review, more information at blog article: Import Export using Private Link now in Preview - Microsoft Tech Community Export via Azure Portal to Storage Account This can be a seamless solution to do the database export when the SQL server allows the public access, untoggled the Deny public access option on SQL DB Azure portal, otherwise you might get error like: An unexpected error was returned by the SQL engine while preparing the operation inputs. Error: 47073, State: 1. To overcome such error, you can TEMPORARY set deny public access to NO during the export operation. Note: - You don’t need to worry, if you set “Deny public access” to “No” it doesn’t mean that everyone will be able to connect from outside; you still can restrict the access using the database firewall. You can find more information at: Connectivity settings for Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse Analytics - Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse Analytics | Microsoft Docs Export via REST API You can use Export REST API to export the database, this can be done programmatically, or from tools like Postman, Also you can try this from Azure Documentation using the >try it button, More information can be found at: Databases - Export - REST API (Azure SQL Database) | Microsoft Docs Here is an example using postman: Request Body: { "storageKeyType": "StorageAccessKey", "storageKey": "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx= =", "storageUri": https://xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.blob.core.windows.net/testc, "administratorLogin": "xxxxxxxxxxxx", "administratorLoginPassword": "xxxxxxxxxxxxxx", "authenticationType": "Sql", "networkIsolation": { "sqlServerResourceId": "/subscriptions/xxxxxxxxxxxxx/resourceGroups/customer/providers/Microsoft.Sql/servers/xxxxxxxxx", "storageAccountResourceId": "/subscriptions/xxxxxxxxxxx/resourceGroups/customer/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/xxxxxxxxx" } } Below error may occur if the Deny public access is enabled, the solution is to enable the public access temporarily {"error":{"code":"ResourceNotFound","message":"The specified resource 'https://management.northeurope.control.database.windows.net/modules/AzureResourceManager.dsts/subscriptions/<yoursubscriptionid>/resourceGroups/customer/providers/Microsoft.Sql/servers/<servername>/databases/<dbname>/export?api-version=2021-02-01-preview ' was not found."}} Note:- networkisolation setting, this feature is currently under development and not ready for public consumption. More information can be found at: New-AzSqlDatabaseExport with network isolation · Discussion #13937 · Azure/azure-powershell · GitHub Error when calling New-AzSqlDatabaseExport with UseNetworkIsolation on $true · Issue #13964 · Azure/azure-powershell · GitHub Export via SQLPackage This can be a best bet solution for many scenarios to overcome limitations on the database size and also to export SQL DB via private endpoint through a VM running in the same VNET. Note:- you can export to local disk or Azure File Share, but you cannot use Azure Blob, for details can be found at Lesson Learned #25: Export/Import Azure SQL Database using Azure File Service? - Microsoft Tech Community Therefore, you can export the .bacpac locally/File share on the VM in the same VNET as the private endpoint of the SQL Server using SQLPackage.exe/SSMS then copy the bacpac to Azure blob (if required). For example: Using SQLPackage to import or export SQL Server and Azure SQL DB - Microsoft Tech Community Export via SQL server Management Studio : Export using SSMS from the VM running in the same VNET as a private endpoint from SQL to blob storage/ file share You can make use SQL Server Management Studio Export data-tier application wizard to export the Azure SQL database to a .bacpac file. The .bacpac can be stored into Azure blob storage or file share. Right click on the SQL Database on logical SQL Server from SSMS --> Tasks --> Select 'Export data-tier application' wizard. Select the location to store the BACPAC file You can select the subset of the tables from export setting in Advance tab --> Click Next to view the summary of export. One you click finish. And up on completion of the process you will be able to view the BACPAC file in the specified destination. More information at blog: Using data-tier applications (BACPAC) to migrate a database from Managed Instance to SQL Server - Microsoft Tech Community Export via Powershell/ CLI The New-AzSqlDatabaseExport cmdlet can be used to export database request to the Azure SQL Database service. Make a note that you have to enable public access to export the database via this method. With Deny public access set to YES, you might encounter below error. PowerShell command to export the database. Command to export the database via PS : New-AzSqlDatabaseExport -ResourceGroupName "customer" -ServerName "<your server name>" -DatabaseName "<your db name>" -StorageKeyType "StorageAccessKey" -StorageKey "<your storage access key>" -StorageUri "https://xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.blob.core.windows.net/testc/database01.bacpac" -AdministratorLogin "<your login name>" To check the status of the export request, use the Get-AzSqlDatabaseImportExportStatus cmdlet. Get-AzSqlDatabaseImportExportStatus -OperationStatusLink https://management.azure.com/subscriptions/xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxx/providers/Microsoft.Sql/locations/northeurope/importExportOperationResults/xxxxxxx-xxxxxxx?api-version=2021-02-01-preview Use the Database Operations - Cancel API or the PowerShell Stop-AzSqlDatabaseActivity command to cancel an export request. Stop-AzSqlDatabaseActivity -ResourceGroupName $ResourceGroupName -ServerName $ServerName -DatabaseName $DatabaseName -OperationId $Operation.OperationId - Please make a note of some of the considerations when using PowerShell method. Also check Azure SQL CLI at: az sql db | Microsoft Docs - Check out: How to cancel Azure SQL Database Import or Export operation - Microsoft Tech Community Database Copy You can use copy database from Azure portal to copy the database to the different server, then perform the export to Azure Blob, later on you can clean up the copied database The database export can also be done via automation, more information can be found at Blog: How to automate Export Azure SQL DB to blob storage use Automation account - Microsoft Tech Community Video: SQL Insider Series: Exporting Azure SQL DB BACPAC file to Azure with Azure Automation | Data Exposed - YouTube Additional References: Export a database to a BACPAC file - Azure SQL Database & Azure SQL Managed Instance | Microsoft Docs Using Azure Import/Export to transfer data to and from Azure Storage | Microsoft Docs Configure Azure Storage firewalls and virtual networks | Microsoft Docs Connectivity settings for Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse Analytics - Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse Analytics | Microsoft Docs Automate native database backup of Azure SQL Managed instance to Azure blob storage - Microsoft Tech Community Disclaimer Please note that products and options presented in this article are subject to change. This article reflects the database export options available for Azure SQL database in February, 2022. Closing remarks We hope you find this article helpful. If you have any feedback, please do not hesitate to provide it in the comment section below. Abhishek Shaha (Author) Ahmed Mahmoud (Co-Author)
