AWS DMS (Amazon Web Service Database Migration Service) is a cloud-based service. It is an optimal platform to migrate databases from one cloud provider to another, from an on-premises system to the cloud, and the reverse too.

An advantage of data migration to AWS over traditional processes is that during migration, the source database remains fully functional during migration and the systems do not have to be shut down. This is very useful for mid and large-sized organizations for whom downtime, even for brief periods can be very inconvenient.

Further, DMS is a very flexible and versatile tool as performs both one-time data migration and continual data replication when the source and the target databases are kept in sync. Users can do migration from NoSQL databases, relational databases, and other data sources.

Benefits of data migration to AWS

Several benefits of data migration to AWS make it the preferred option for organizations that want to shift databases to a more optimized platform.

•User-friendly: Once all the parameters are defined and configured, data migration to AWS is a smooth and seamless process and can be started with just a few clicks on the AWS Management Console. Additional drivers and applications are not required to be installed. The whole migration process is auto-managed by AWS DMS.

•Support to most databases: Nearly all common commercial applications and databases are compatible with AWS DMS. Hence data migration to AWS is quick and easy between SQL, NoSQL, and text-based targets.

•Affordable: Data migration to AWS is a very cost-effective solution. AWS charges businesses only for the quantum of computing and storage resources used during migration without flat or other upfront fees.

•Dependable: AWS DMS continually monitors the source and the target databases during migration. If there are any outages or glitches during migration and the process is disrupted, AWS automatically starts the migration again after the issue is resolved without any data loss.

Data migration to AWS can also help combine various databases into one single peta-sized target database.

Types of AWS Database Migration Service

There are two types of data migration to AWS

•Homogeneous database migration: Here, the source and the target databases have compatible engines. Hence, the data codes, data types, and the schema structure match each other and the database migration is a simple one-step affair. Examples include Oracle to Amazon RDS for Oracle, MySQL to Amazon Aurora, MySQL to Amazon RDS for MySQL, or Microsoft SQL Server to Amazon RDS for SQL Server.

•Homogeneous database migration: The database engines of the source and the target are different and therefore, the data types, data codes, and schema structures are not the same. Data migration to AWS is more complex. Examples are Oracle to Amazon Aurora, Oracle to PostgreSQL, or Microsoft SQL Server to MySQL migrations.

In both forms of migration, AWS DMS helps move databases from and into the cloud.