How Does Oracle Data Migration Work?

There are many reasons why you may want to change or migrate the database from one source to another. You can migrate the oracle database from one computer to the other, the server to the other, and one drive to the other. 

When copying and migrating the data and files, you need to follow the due process. The processes are critical for ensuring success in copying; however, when you fail to comply with the guidelines, you are likely to incur some errors. Here are some guidelines for migrating an oracle database from one source to another. 

Can I move the Oracle Database from one system to another?

Yes, you can move the oracle database from one system to another. You can move both offline and online databases. You can move the virtual databases on servers, computer drives, and other hardware storage units. 

You can accomplish the process alone if you have the right skills. Otherwise, it is imminent to seek the services of Oracle database migration consultants with advanced knowledge in system and database management and administration. You can rely on the services of companies such as Amaze. The company has unique features and tools suitable for data & AI Automated transformation of on-premise DW to Cloud, Instant transformation from Oracle DB to Cloud Phase-wise transition plan Automation-led IPs and tools. 

Methods of Transferring Databases

You can follow different methods to move the Oracle database from one source to another. Here are some methods to use. 

• One-time transfer

If you are doing a one-time transfer, the process involves installing Oracle to the second. After installing it on the second PC, you need to create a directory structure for the database files you had on the previous computer. This method will only work when using the same version of the Oracle software. 

The next procedure is to copy the database files and paste them onto the second PC. While copying, do not mix the files; copy the table space, control files, and redo logs independently to avoid mixing things. Finally, uninstall the Oracle database from the first computer. 

You can also transfer the data and files using importing and exporting utilities. These utilities will help you export the data and files independently. If you use Oracle versions such as 11G, you can utilize the Data Pump tool for the job. If you use earlier versions such as 9i, you can use the old EXP or IMP utilities. 

• Moving Oracle Database installed in drives

This method can be ideal if you have an online Oracle database. The first process is to create a backup. The following process is to create a new service on Windows Box. The following procedure is altering the database backup control file to trace. Once you have all the data in the backup server or database, you need to shut down the original database.

Next, move the newly created box to the desired location. Edit the files with parameters in the control file locations and dump the unnecessary directories. Trace the files made before, remove the unnecessary data and you can also change their locations using tools such as find and replace. Finally, run the files in SQL plus. 

• Moving Oracle database from one server to the other

Moving the database between the servers will be much easier if you have the same operating systems to ensure the system is successfully transferred and compatible with the new system. When accomplishing this process, ensure the database (the newly created DB) has the same name as the original. There are different procedures to accomplish this; however, here is the most suitable one.

Shut down the source server and database immediately. Next, copy all the data files from the names using v$datafile to ensure you get the exact file names. You need to copy all the online redo logs and use the option of v$logfile to ensure you get the exact names of the redo logs.

Next, you must copy the control files using the procedure v$control file. Then copy the parameter file. Ensure all the files retain the names listed in the source server directories. Follow the process by creating all the directories specified in the copied parameter files. Ensure you recreate the directories used in the parameter files. Next, you can edit the file you have addressed. Finally, you can start the new database.

If you use the temporary table space for sorting, you need to recreate it. Failure to sort the files will lead to syntax errors. To avoid these syntax errors, you can use remote authentication to help you edit the parameters of the files created. After doing all these modifications, you need to restart the database for the changes to take effect. 

The table files mainly contain the data you need to move. Once you create the tables using the AQL command, you can easily transfer the data from one database to the other without much effort. Ensure you use the queries to maintain consistency between the created tables, and you maintain the table names.

Conclusion

There are different ways to transfer the Oracle database between different systems. You can use the one-time migration methodologies suitable for moving databases on computer drives. There are also clear procedures you can follow if you are hosting your database on virtual servers.