For ensuring smooth, secure, and seamless database migration to AWS (Amazon Web Service), the best option is to opt for the Database Migration Service (DMS) of the platform. One critical reason for organizations opting to use this service for migration is that no downtime is required during the migration process. The source database remains fully functional at all times without adversely impacting business operations.

Here are some of the important benefits of AWS data migration.

•There is no need to install additional drivers or applications in AWS data migration to make changes to the source database as the migration process can be started directly from the AWS Management Console. The full activity is automated and DMS replicates all changes at the source database to the target database.

•Changes at the source database are continuously replicated by the AWS data migration service to the target database. Hence, as discussed, no shutdown of systems is required during migration.

•All popular databases are supported by AWS data migration. This leads to quick database transfer between on-premises databases to Amazon RDS, Amazon EC2, or Aurora as well as databases running on EC2 to RDS or vice versa. Data can also be migrated between text-based data, SQL, and NoSQL with AWS DMS.

However, database migration cannot be started directly and a replication task should be initiated before the data can be migrated from the source to the target database. It includes stipulating the task settings including the replication instance that will run and host the task and specifying the source and the target database. The following are the migration type choices.

•Full load migration of existing data is recommended when systems can be shut down long enough to copy the data. AWS data migration simply moves data from the source to the target and creates tables whenever required.

•Another is the full load migration linked to Change Data Capture. Apart from migrating data it also replicates ongoing and current changes. After the full load migration is completed in AWS data migration, all changes at the source subsequently are applied till the target database reaches a stable position. The applications can then be shut down and only the changes allowed to flow from the source to the target.

• The final option is Change Data Capture where changes at source only are replicated to the target.

These are the main types of AWS data migration.

The process of AWS data migration

Once the choice has been made on the type of data migration, the process has to be selected from the following processes.

Homogeneous database migration is where the source and the target database engines match each other. It is a simple one-step process as the database codes, types, and schema structure are complementary.

Heterogeneous database migration where the source and the target database engines are different and data types, codes, and schema structure is not the same.