Upload SQL Database to Azure SQL Server Without Any Data Loss

Want to know how to migrate SQL Server database to Azure? Looking for the simplest solution to upload SQL database to Azure? Your search ends here, as this post will talk about some of the easiest and foolproof methods to perform this task.

Though SQL Server database is a reliable system to store important data, users may need to move database file into Microsoft Azure. The reason behind this migration can be anything switching to Azure, creating a backup of SQL database file, inability to continue using SQL Server, etc. Whatever may be the reason, the process of moving SQL database to Azure is not an easy task to perform. For this reason, this post will discuss how to upload SQL Server database to Azure.

"Recently, SQL has stopped providing support for some of its older versions of SQL Server. Unfortunately, in our organization, we use one of those outdated versions of SQL Server. Now, my organization is not considering SQL version upgrade. Rather we want to move to MS Azure. Now the main headache for us is how to import local SQL Server database to Azure? If anyone knows, kindly response."

Learn Various Ways to Migrate SQL Server DB to Azure

If you are willing to upload SQL database to Azure SQL database, you can go for any of the available techniques. For this post, we have chosen to describe two different methods. The first one is by using SQL Server to Azure Database Migrator Tool and the second one is through configuring Azure in SQL Server.

Upload SQL Server Database to Azure Using Automated Method

If your SQL database size is large, and you want a migration without any data loss, SQL Server to Azure Migration Tool is the perfect solution. With its help, users can seamlessly migrate database files from SQL to Azure. Check out the instruction to use this software:

• Launch the tool and click on the Open button.

• Choose the MDF file you want to upload and click Open.
• If the MDF file contains corruption issues, choose Advance Scan.

• Select the SQL Server version. If Unknown, select the Autodetect option for MDF file.
• Click OK and the software will scan the database file.
• When prompted, click OK if you wish to save the scan result.
• Complete data of the MDF and NDF file will be available for preview.

• Click on Migrate button to upload SQL Database to Azure.
• In the Migration Options window, fill in all the required fields like Azure Server name, database name, login credentials.
• Choose which database elements to be uploaded and whether to migrate only Schema or Schema & Data.

• Click on Migrate button and all the selected components of SQL Server will get uploaded into Azure.

Migrate SQL Server Database to Azure SQL Database

For small sized databases, users can use the manual method for SQL to Azure database migration. But this method is a long one and can cause data loss. Follow these steps to upload SQL Database to Azure without any third- party solution. The whole process is divided into two parts:

Part A: Creating Bacpac File from SQL Database

• Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on your system and connect to the database file.
• Select the database file, right-click on it and choose Tasks >> Export Data-tier Application.
• A wizard will open and you have to click Next on the first screen.
• Choose Export Settings >> Settings tab >> Browse to save the bacpac file in local drive or Azure Storage account.
• If you wish to upload the complete database, select all objects and click on Next.
• Verify the information from the Summary page and click Finish.
• Click on Close when the process to save bacpac file is over.

Part B: Upload Bacpac to Azure SQL Database

• From SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), connect to Azure Server.
• Select the database and right-click on it to select Import Data-tier Application.
• On the Introductory page, click Next.
• Choose Import Settings and click on Browse to add the Bacpac file. Click on Next.
• On the Database Settings page, configure the Azure database by entering required data like new database name, edition, and maximum size. Click Next.
• Check the information provided in the Summary page and click on Finish.
• After successful Import, click on close button.

Note: Now, you can confirm that a new database has been created in Azure SQL Server. You can open the Microsoft Azure portal and verify the migration process. But, this manual method of moving SQL database to Azure is quite lengthy and time-consuming & is applicable for a small database.

Conclusion

If you want to know how to upload SQL database to Azure SQL database then this post will help you because here we have discussed different ways. Both of these methods are widely used by SQL Server users. Since we have described the complete procedure to perform these methods, you can choose any of these methods depending on your requirement and convenience. If your database contains data you cannot afford to lose, you should go for the automated tool in order to move data from SQL Server to Azure.