SQL Server to Azure SQL Migration Issues - Explained And Resolved

When a user needs to migrate a database from an on-premise SQL Server to a cloud server like Azure, there are certain challenges they face. Here, in this article, we will discuss a similar concern, that is, SQL Server to Azure SQL Migration Issues. 

Additionally, we will try to understand these issues and resolve them using the best solutions as well. But before getting into the solutions and methods, we will first go through the challenges during the migration and understand how they affect the users and their workflow.

Some of the Azure Migration Challenges

With the requirement to migrate the database from one server to another, many factors affect the migration process and sometimes lead to bigger challenges like database corruption or permanent data loss. Here are some of these issues:

Compatibility Issues Between Databases

After the SQL Server to Azure SQL database migration, Azure might not support all the features and components of the SQL database. This can lead to major compatibility issues during the migration process and further lead to a failed migration. 

Performance Issues

The Azure Server, being a cloud server, is quite different in terms of features and tools, this means that the query execution and other operations are different in the Azure SQL. So, after the migration from SQL Server to Azure SQL, the user might encounter performance issues in the database. 

Authentication Issues and Misconfigurations 

Another difference between an on-premise server and a cloud server is the Authentication mode. On the one hand, where the SQL Server supports Windows Authentication mode, the Azure SQL doesn’t support Windows authentication. Furthermore, any other authentication mode in the SQL Database needs to be reconfigured after the migration. 

Downtime During Migration Process

One of the most common SQL Server to Azure SQL migration issues is the downtime during the migration process. This downtime can be caused by several factors, including the size of the database, data synchronization, etc.  

Backup Issues After Migration

Unlike the on-premise server, the Azure SQL backups the data automatically. This makes it difficult for the users to schedule and backup according to their needs. Additionally, in the case of restoring the data, users can only use the Azure storage. 

All these issues in SQL Server to Azure SQL database migration impact the users’ workflow. Let’s take a look at the challenges encountered by the users now. 

Impact on Users Due to SQL Server to Azure SQL Migration Issues

With the challenges encountered by the users during the migration process, there are other ways to affect the users. Here are some of the challenges faced by the users.

One of the issues that affect the users is the Service Disruptions. This means that the users will be unable to use or access the applications relying on the specified database. 

The next challenge faced by the user is the performance degrading. During or after the SQL Server to Azure SQL database migration, the users might experience a degradation in the database performance like slower query execution time and impact on analysis and reports in the database. 

The next problem faced by the users is the accessibility issue in the database after the migration. Due to misconfigured authentication in the server, the user might get locked out. Furthermore, the users may also face multiple security risks after the migration due to feature incompatibility. 

As for the features and the inconsistencies, the users majorly encounter issues like unsupported commands and missing data from the database, during and after the migration. 

With these SQL Server to Azure SQL Migration Issues, it becomes important for us to resolve these challenges using the best ways so that the data security isn’t compromised and the users can carry out the migration process easily. 

Solutions to Resolve the Azure Migration Challenges

Earlier, we discussed all the possible challenges during the migration of an on-premise database to a cloud server. So, for different challenges, there are various solutions, respectively. 

Now, we will take a look at the solutions that will help the users to overcome these challenges more professionally. 

Issue 1: Compatibility Challenges During SQL Server to Azure SQL Database Migration

One of the challenges during the migration is the compatibility issue during and after the migration. This means that various features and tools might not be compatible with Azure SQL. To resolve this issue, the following solutions will work:

• If the SQL Server Agent is not working or is incompatible with the Azure cloud, users can switch to using Azure Automation. The Azure Automation acts as a smart assistance for the database that helps to automate any repetitive tasks and repair minor issues to avoid human intervention and manual operating of the database.  

• If the user needs to check if the databases are compatible to be migrated or not, they can simply check the compatibility using the Data Migration Assistant(DMA).  

These solutions will help the users resolve the compatibility issues in the Azure migration challenges. Moving to the next issue, let’s see how it can resolved.

Issue 2: Performance Degradation in SQL Server to Azure SQL Migration Issues 

Another major concern after the migration of on-premise servers to cloud servers is performance degradation after the migration. To resolve this performance issue, a user can follow the given methods:

• To improve the database performance, the user can go with the indexing and partitioning method. This method helps greatly in managing large databases. Furthermore, they help speed up the queries and also minimize the load on the servers. 

• To keep track of the slow-running queries, users can check and verify the Query Performance insights and improve the performance of the database. 

With these solutions, one can simply resolve the performance issue in the database after the migration. Let’s now move to the next challenge during the migration between the two servers. 

Issue 3: The Migration Downtime In SQL Server to Azure SQL Database Migration

The major challenge that comes with the Azure SQL migration is the downtime during the process. To reduce this downtime of the process, there are a few solutions. Let’s take a look at these solutions now:

• The first solution is to use the Azure Database Migration Services(DMS) for an efficient and smooth migration of the SQL Server to Azure SQL. 

• Another method that can be used is by doing the transactional replication of the database. This method will help to copy the database from one server to another, along with real-time data transfer for better efficiency.

Expert Solution for Resolving Azure Migration Challenges

In case the user wishes to migrate the database smoothie without compromising the data security and integrity, they can also use the SQL Server to Azure Database Migrator. This is a professional solution that will help the users carry out the migration easily and more professionally. In case of any corruption, this software can also help repair the database and resolve the challenges encountered during the migration. 

All these issues can be resolved by using the appropriate solution and considering the factors to carry out a secure SQL Server to Azure migration. 

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have discussed the SQL Server to Azure SQL migration issues. Additionally, we have discussed these issues thoroughly and how they impacted the users and their workflow. Furthermore, we have suggested solutions that will help the users to resolve these issues efficiently.