It’s common now that organizations to move their data from an existing database to another for enhanced performance, platform security and reliability, DBMS modernization, and cost-cutting. However, the process is not as easy as it sounds due to challenges such as environment complexity, data corruption, and system compatibility.
Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) enables smooth data migration with no transformations for SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL. We need to dive deep into the utility before we get to the point.
What is Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services?
Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a component of SQL Server to perform a variety of data migration jobs that features a data warehousing tool for data extraction, transformation, and loading. Microsoft launched the most recent SSIS v4.4 in Jan 2023.
Available in:
SQL Server 2005, 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2014, and 2016 except editions of Express and Workgroup.
Components
Connections: contain the necessary connection details to a data source and tasks can refer to it by the name.
Event handlers: record the events that happened during the execution and specify the actions to respond.
Parameters: assign values to properties within packages when they execute.
Precedence constraints: link the tasks to make sure the priority of a particular task.
Tasks: an action-taking atomic work unit.
Variables: tasks may use them to store results, make decisions, or modify the setup.
DTEXEC: execute the package from the command line.
DTUTIL: manage packages from the command prompt.
BCP: the Bulk Copy Program imports or exports data from or to a Sybase or Microsoft SQL Server database.
Features
Automate the SQL Server maintenance;
Extract, transform, and load data via the warehousing tool;
Provide a graphical tool for building and editing SSIS packages;
The Import/Export Wizard allows users to create packages for data moving;
Provide a scripting environment for programming and color-coded real-time monitoring when the package runs.
How to Install SSIS?
1. Download SQL Server from downloads if you don’t have one.
2. Click setup.exe to open the installation center.
3. Choose installation from the list.
4. In the SQL Server Setup Wizard, choose New SQL stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.
5. Accept the license terms and privacy statement.
6. Select Use Microsoft Update to check for updates on the Microsoft Update page for automatic check if you want.
7. On the Install Rules page, check the rules for running SQL Server and click Warning for correction details.
8. On the Installation Type pane, Select Perform a new installation of SQL Server xx radio button if you are installing a new one, otherwise choose to Add features to an existing instance of SQL Server xx.
9. On the Feature Selection page, select Database Engine Services host the SSIS Catalog database for packages store, management, and monitor under Instance Features if you are installing a new SQL Server, and under Shared Features, choose Integration Services.
10. Under Shared features, optionally choose Client Tools SDK to install assemblies.
11. Choose a service account to run the SSIS service on the Server Configuration page.
12. Review the summary and Install.
How to Migrate a Database to Another with SSIS?
Migrate SQL Server to PostgreSQL;
Migrate Oracle Database to SQL Server;
Migrate MySQL to SQL Server as follows:
1. Create a new data flow task and add a new MySQL source and SQL Server ADO.NET destination.
2. In the Connection Manager window, right-click to create New Connection, and the dialog displays> choose MySQL in the type menu to start the CData MySQL Connection Manager> configure the connection details for MySQL including Port, User, Password, etc.
3. Set up the MySQL source.
Double-click MySQL source to launch the source editor, in the Connection Manager menu, choose the one created before.
Configure the data extraction query, such as:
SELECT ShipName, Freight FROM Orders
Close the control and connect it to the ADO.NET Destination.
4. Set up the SQL Server destination.
Open the ADD.NET Destination to add a New Connection, then enter the details of the server and database;
Choose table or view from the Data access mode menu, then choose the table or view to populate.
On the Mappings page, configure properties as you want.
5. Execute the project and the SQL Server will host the MySQL data after the SSIS Task finishes.
Backup Multiple Databases in an All-in-One Solution
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Summary
SSIS is a SQL Server tool for data migration across databases. Database users can move data for SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL using this tool. Meanwhile, database backup and recovery are extremely important for data protection. Vinchin Backup & Recovery is definitely a go-to choice for a reliable, simplified, and safe backup service.
