Database Reference
In-Depth Information
C H A P T E R 5
Data Migration and Backup
Strategies
When companies talk about their research into or experiences with the Azure technology—specifically
the SQL side of Azure—two of their most frequent concerns (aside from security) are migrating local
databases and data into the cloud, and backup strategies. Until Azure came around, databases were
housed locally (and they still are): they're contained within the walls of the company or in a data center.
Moving to the Azure platform, and SQL Azure, means moving and storing all or a portion of your data
into the cloud.
Chapter 4 talked at length about security concerns, considerations, and best practices regarding storing
your precious data in the cloud. Moving data into the cloud is a decision that you shouldn't and can't take lightly.
But after you make the decision to utilize SQL Azure, the question becomes, how do you get your data into the
cloud? As nice as it would be if moving your local database into SQL Azure was seamless, it isn't as cut-and-dried
as you may think. You do you have several options available, all of which are viable; but you must consider things
beyond just moving the data, such as costs from data transfers.
After your data is in the cloud, further questions arise regarding the backup strategies that are
common with local databases. In SQL Azure, gone are the concepts of backup devices and backing up
and restoring databases. As shocking as this may sound, remember that Microsoft is managing the
hardware behind the scenes. For now, there are no such things as drives, devices, and so on.
In this chapter we will discuss the different migration tools, strategies and concepts for moving your
database and data into the cloud and examples which illustrate how these tools are used. We'll then
discuss a recently added feature to SQL Azure which allows the backup, or "copy" of a SQL Azure
database.
Migrating Databases and Data to SQL Azure
So you want to move one or more of your applications and their databases to the cloud. It's a noble idea.
More than likely, you're in the same category as countless others who are looking into moving
applications into the cloud: you don't want to start from scratch. You'd rather migrate an existing
application to the cloud, but you aren't sure about the steps necessary to do so, or the technologies
available to help in the process. This section discusses three tools from Microsoft and come with SQL
Server:
•
Generate and Publish Scripts Wizard
•
SQL Server Integration Services
•
Bcp utility
