Database Migration

Part 9/10: Migrating Oracle Databases from AWS to Oracle Cloud

In previous parts, we discussed how to move Oracle databases from on-premise to Oracle Cloud. In this part, we will deal with migrating Oracle databases running on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to Oracle cloud.

Why to move to the Oracle cloud? Have a look at part 1 highlighting the benefits of the Oracle cloud. Summarized in one sentence: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is the best cloud platform on which to run your Oracle workloads!

  • Deploy the latest versions of Oracle databases.
  • Deploy and use all features and options of Oracle database, including Real Application Clusters (RAC) for high availability and scalability.
  • Deploy Oracle databases on Exadata for high performance and mission-critical workloads.
  • Run your workload on Oracle Autonomous Database and benefit from fully automated backups, patching, upgrade, high availability, and disaster recovery.
  • Benefit from the best price-performance for Oracle databases on the public cloud.

Oracle Databases on AWS

There are two different Oracle database implementations on AWS:

  1. Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service): a managed database service, where you don’t have access to the physical database server, but connect to the database instance directly using SQL*Net connections.
  2. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute): a compute instance on which you control and conventionally administer your Oracle database.

Most of those run on Linux operating systems. Oracle databases on Oracle cloud run Oracle Linux. In this case, the migration is between similar platforms with the same endian formats.

1. Migration Methods for Amazon RDS

As Amazon RDS doesn’t provide access to the operating system of the database server, the database migration options are mostly the ones that can be achieved using SQL*Net connections.

AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)

AWS DMS allows you to copy full schemas from the source to the target database. It is also possible to replicate all the changes from the source database to keep the data on the target database synchronized with the source until the final cut over to minimize downtime needed for the migration process.

Oracle Golden Gate

You can use Oracle Golden Gate to make an initial copy of the source database from Amazon RDS to Oracle databases on the Oracle cloud. Golden Gate allows you to keep the sources and target in sync until the final cutover supporting migrations with minimal downtime.

SQL Developer

SQL Developer provides a simple end-user experience to execute the migration using a graphical interface. You can use SQL Developer Database Copy Utility or SQL Developer Export and Import Wizard discussed in part 8.

RMAN Backup and Restore

It is also possible to use a physical migration method even if you don’t have any access to the operating system. In this case, you copy the backups from AWS S3 to OCI Object Storage and then create a database on Oracle Cloud by restoring the backups from OCI Object Storage.

2. Migration Methods for Amazon EC2

As you have full access and control to Amazon EC2 instances, you can use AWS DMS and any further migration method discussed in this blog series like Oracle Golden Gate and Data Guard to achieve zero downtime migration, Data Pump for export and import, multitenant architecture to unplug/plug or clone PDBs and non-CDBs, and RMAN, including incremental backups to limit the downtime to the time it takes to create the final incremental backup, transport it, and recover it on the target.

Examples and Further Reading

For more information, detailed migration steps and examples have a look at:

Conclusion

By moving your Oracle database from Amazon RDS and EC2 to Oracle cloud you benefit from access to the newest features and all options of Oracle database including Real Application Clusters (RAC), isolation and high performance on dedicated Exadata infrastructure, automated database management, Oracle Autonomous Database that takes automation to the next level, and best price-performance for Oracle databases on the public cloud.

Further Reading

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