Azure Database for MySQL, MariaDB, and Postgres Readiness Resources

This learning plan aggregates content for understanding and successfully migrating databases into Microsoft Azure. Migration implies there is a “from” source and a “to” destination. This plan covers a base understanding of, and the migration of relational databases TO, the various open source relational database services in Azure:

  • Azure Database for MySQL
  • Azure Database for MariaDB
  • Azure Database for PostgreSQL

In any database migration, it is important to have the source system documented in order to evaluate target options. For the source system, a minimum amount of information needed includes:

  • Overall system size (CPU/RAM/IO subsystem), current usage, and version
  • Architectural diagram showing database layout and interconnectivity. This includes cross database connectivity, ETL processes, and any feature usage such as transactional replication.
  • Security requirements: information on account types (for example, Azure AD), encryption requirements (such as TDE)
  • BCDR requirements: clustering, high availability, georeplication, etc. - having defined RPO (recovery point objective) and RTO (recovery time objective) numbers are essential.

With this information, options can be evaluated for both cost and technical feasibility.

Content is broken down as follows:

Fundamentals, Associate, Expert, Specialist: content categorized in increasing level of complexity Certifications: relevant Microsoft exams or certifications Community resources: user groups, events, blogs

Fundamentals

We all have to start somewhere. Start by learning about the various relational database offerings on Azure. This includes Azure SQL Database as well as the open source database offerings too. Then get an overview of each individual open source database service on Azure.

Know where to find the documentation for each of these offerings:

For MySQL and PostgreSQL, understand the differences between “single server” and “flexible server”:

MySQL options:

PostgreSQL options:

For PostgreSQL, there is a new option called Azure CosmosDB for PostgreSQL. This was formerly known as “Azure Database for PostgreSQL Hyperscale”:

Migration Options

Once you understand the open source database service options in Azure, you should start to review options for migrating TO them FROM various sources. Start with the “Azure Database Migration Guides” listing which aggregates many of the individual migration guides below in one place.

Azure Data Academy series

Like sitting back and watching videos to learn? Check out the video series below with sessions on MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.

Associate

If you’ve made it through the fundamentals above, you might want to dig into some of the migration tools and topics here.

Tools

  • Azure OSS DB SKU Recommender
    • Not sure which SKU of Azure Database for PostgreSQL or MySQL you should use? This utility is designed to connect to your existing on-prem database, analyze it, and provide you with a a set of recommendations.
  • Oracle to Azure Database for Postgres Migration Guide (Self-Paced) (5 Hours)
    • If you are looking to migrate an Oracle database to Azure Database for PostgreSQL, this in-depth PDF whitepaper has you covered. At 309 pages, it is a long read, but it is THE definitive guide on this migration path.
  • Azure Data Studio
  • Ora2PG Tool
    • Ora2Pg is a free tool used to migrate an Oracle database to a PostgreSQL compatible schema. It connects your Oracle database, scans it automatically and extracts its structure or data, then generates SQL scripts that you can load into your PostgreSQL database.
    • Ora2Pg can be used for anything from reverse engineering Oracle database to huge enterprise database migration or simply replicating some Oracle data into a PostgreSQL database. It is really easy to use and doesn’t require any Oracle database knowledge other than providing the parameters needed to connect to the Oracle database.

Learn How to Migrate to Azure Database for PostgreSQL or MySQL through What The Hack

What the Hack is a set of challenge based hackathons that can be hosted in-person or virtually via Microsoft Teams.

If you are interested in attending a What The Hack event, contact your Microsoft Partner representative. Alternatively, you can host one yourself using the guidance in the What The Hack Hosting Guide

This intro level hackathon will help you get hands-on experience migrating databases from on-premises PostgreSQL, Oracle and/or MySQL to Azure DB for PostgreSQL and/or Azure DB for MySQL.

This hack features seven technical challenges that give you hands-on experience performing any (or all) of the migration permutations that you are interested in from a set of “source” databases to one of the Azure open source database options. By the end, you should have a good understanding of migration options, approaches, and tools that can help you get the job done.

Certifications

Community Resources

  • Microsoft Data Migration Blog
    • Like all of the stuff you have read here on this Readiness Resource list? If so, you will want to keep up to date by following the Microsoft Data Migration blog. This blog is updated 1-2x/month by the product team and has news and announcements about features on the Azure open source database services.

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