Data is the new currency and something that you need to be careful with! So when I saw Rami Malek use the power of data in “Mr.Robot,” it helped me realize why data integrity is so important. Especially when you are migrating your database from one platform to another, data integrity and security take center stage.
Database migrations are driven by benefits like lower costs, better features, and the ability to scale. However, the security of data is essential as more components can lead to compromised data. Take an example of a simple application like mobile phone keyboards where Google’s stock keyboard is safer than third-party apps with features like customized stickers or gifs.
Even the migration process is not entirely secure, and you can lose vital data. According to a report, infrastructure security with 43% is one of the most significant challenges of cloud migrations. However, there is one way to ensure complete data integrity and compliance; “a database migration tool.”
Here, we are going to discuss six of such database migration tools.
But, before we do that, let’s get to the heart of data migration!
What is Database Migration?
Database migration is like moving your house with everything in it from one place to another! So, if you are not careful with your data, there can be some information getting lost.
Skipping the Simpsons rolling motion(LoL), database migration is a complex process that includes:
- Data assessment
- Script conversion
- Schema conversion to match the destination platform syntax
- Data migration
- Functional testing
- Performance tuning
Now to the next question that is making you scratch the head!
Why Do You Need A Database Migration?
Business entities constantly innovate as it is the only way they can quickly adapt to market changes. However, achieving such business agility is not easy without innovating and migrating to advanced platforms. So, here are some reasons for database migrations:
Cost Optimization
Using legacy databases can be expensive due to overhead costs. For example, Evernote is one of the most popular note taking applications, with more than 200 million users observed that their overhead costs have increased on the database management.
Evernote used a hybrid approach using legacy infrastructure and private cloud services that were not enough for their scaling needs. So, they migrated their database to public cloud services from Google to reduce operational costs and facilitate higher storage capacity for their users. However, the cost is not the only factor that drives database migrations.
Upgrading Technology
Upgrading your infrastructure is one of the essential business activities. Sticking to legacy infrastructure is like running Cathode Ray Tube TVs in the age of OLED TVs. You have to compromise on the running cost and quality at the same time with legacy database systems.
For example, Samsung Electronics saw a surge in their certification and authorization service of over 1.1 billion customers. So, the electric giant decided to upgrade their database from a legacy Oracle internet data center (IDC) solution to Amazon Aurora. Apart from the costs and upgrading of technology, security is also vital for business continuity, influencing database migration.
Security Needs
Databases are more vulnerable than you may think it to be. According to research by Wall Street Journal, the retail sector with large databases related to customer loyalty programs are vulnerable, with only 62% prepared for cyberattacks.
So, security concerns are one of the most significant factors that influence database migrations. However, it also allows your organization to maintain data integrity and compliance throughout the migration process.
Take an example of Oracle’s database migration. Such a migration helped improve security, resource management, and cost optimizations through pluggable databases. In addition, as pointed out by a senior Oracle instructor at New Horizon University, it has enabled organizing categories and individual entries to be much quicker.
Now that you are familiar with the reasons that drive database migration let’s discuss some tools that can help you during the process.
1. Dbmate
Dbmate is a database migration tool that will help you keep the schema in sync with multiple servers. It supports programming languages like Go, Node.js, Python, Ruby, and PHP. Therefore, it is helpful if you are planning to write multiple services for your application using different languages. For example, if you want to leverage frameworks for front-end and back-end based on different languages, Dbmate is the best choice.
2. Apache NiFi
If you are looking for a database migration tool that offers more control, monitoring, and constant feedback on the entire process, Apache NiFi is the best option. It provides a web interface that connects with the database server and facilitates data ingestions, routing through scalable directed graphs, transformations, extraction, etc.
The best part about choosing Apache Nifi is its security features like multi-tenant authorization and SSL, SSH, HTTPS, and encrypted content.
3. Ladder
If an open-source migration tool for MySQL databases is what you are looking for, then Ladder is a good choice as it supports PHP. You can track all the changes in the database and source code by integrating them in conjunction. Adding alt columns or indexes and dropping is easy with Ladder.
4. Phinx
Another database migration tool that supports PHP at its core is Phinx. It offers APIs or Application Programming Interface based on PHP coding. So, developers don’t need to write their scripts in SQL code. It allows the migration to be performed in a short time and easily integrated into multiple applications.
5. Flyway
Flyway is another open-source tool that enables database migration for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, and MySQL. It offers a command-line API that supports simple-to-use commands like migrating data, clean data, validating data, undo changes, creating a baseline, and repairing.
6. TiDB
If you are a business that uses real-time analytics for operations, choosing TiDB makes more sense. TIDB is an HTAP or Hybrid transaction/analytical processing (HTAP) database that supports the migration of OLTP and OLAP workloads.
These architectures use IMC or In-memory Computing techniques, which, according to Gartner, is storing analytics on the same database where transactional data is stored. In addition, TiDB offers a tool to support data migration from MySQL/MariaDB to its database service.
Signing Off
There are many different database migration tools that you can use, but it all depends on the kind of programming language, costs, and specific needs. For example, an open-source tool like Phinx can be great for PHP-related database migrations; it might not be the perfect solution for organizations that use real-time analytics. So, choosing the right tool according to your database management needs is essential.