AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT): A Comprehensive Guide
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT): A Comprehensive Guide
12/13/20243 min read
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT): A Comprehensive Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)?
Features of AWS SCT
Use Cases of AWS SCT
How AWS SCT Works
Supported Databases
Setting Up AWS SCT
Schema Conversion Process
AWS SCT User Interface Overview
Converting Schemas with AWS SCT
Data Type Mapping and Conversion
Object Conversion
Customization and Rule Creation
Assessment Reports
Generating and Reviewing Reports
Code Conversion and Optimization
Best Practices for AWS SCT
Common Challenges and Troubleshooting
Use Cases and Real-World Examples
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
1. Introduction
The AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of migrating database schemas from one database engine to another. It helps businesses migrate on-premises or cloud-based databases to AWS cloud-native databases like Amazon RDS, Amazon Aurora, or Amazon Redshift.
2. What is AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)?
AWS SCT is a client-side tool that automates the conversion of database schemas from commercial database engines (like Oracle, SQL Server, and DB2) to open-source or AWS cloud-native databases (like Amazon Aurora, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Amazon Redshift). The tool identifies schema objects that require manual intervention and provides guidance on how to resolve them.
3. Features of AWS SCT
Schema Conversion: Converts the entire schema, including tables, indexes, views, stored procedures, functions, and triggers.
Cross-Database Compatibility: Supports migration between multiple database engines.
Assessment Reports: Provides a detailed assessment report on the level of effort required for migration.
Customization Rules: Allows the creation of custom rules to modify the conversion process.
Code Conversion: Converts SQL code, including stored procedures, functions, and scripts.
User-Friendly Interface: Offers a graphical user interface (GUI) for easy schema analysis and conversion.
4. Use Cases of AWS SCT
Database Migration: Migrating from on-premises Oracle, SQL Server, or DB2 to Amazon Aurora, RDS, or Redshift.
Modernization Projects: Modernizing legacy applications by moving to cloud-native AWS databases.
Cost Reduction: Reducing licensing costs by switching from commercial databases to open-source alternatives.
Hybrid Cloud Migration: Converting on-premises databases to hybrid cloud or AWS cloud-native architectures.
5. How AWS SCT Works
AWS SCT follows a four-step process for schema conversion:
Source Connection: Connect to the source database (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server).
Schema Analysis: Identify objects to convert and assess the complexity of the conversion.
Schema Conversion: Automatically convert the schema to the target database format.
Export/Apply Changes: Apply the converted schema to the target database.
6. Supported Databases
Source Databases:
Oracle
Microsoft SQL Server
IBM Db2
Netezza
Teradata
Target Databases:
Amazon Aurora (MySQL and PostgreSQL)
Amazon RDS (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle)
Amazon Redshift
Open-source MySQL and PostgreSQL
7. Setting Up AWS SCT
Download and Install: Download AWS SCT from AWS's official site and install it on your local machine.
Configure Source and Target: Define the source and target database connections.
Create Project: Create a new project to store all schema conversion tasks.
8. Schema Conversion Process
Step 1: Connect to source and target databases.
Step 2: Use the assessment report to identify objects that require manual changes.
Step 3: Convert the schema using SCT.
Step 4: Export and apply the converted schema to the target database.
9. AWS SCT User Interface Overview
Project Explorer: Displays the list of objects in the schema.
Action Panel: Displays actionable items like "Convert", "Export", and "Apply".
Assessment Report: Shows analysis of schema compatibility.
10. Converting Schemas with AWS SCT
Start Conversion: Click the "Convert" button to initiate the schema conversion.
Review Issues: Review the action items that require manual intervention.
Apply Changes: Apply the converted schema to the target database.
11. Data Type Mapping and Conversion
AWS SCT maps data types from the source database to the target database. For example:
Oracle VARCHAR2 -> MySQL VARCHAR
SQL Server NVARCHAR -> PostgreSQL TEXT
12. Object Conversion
AWS SCT converts objects such as:
Tables
Views
Indexes
Constraints
Stored Procedures
Functions
13. Customization and Rule Creation
Create custom rules for schema conversion, such as renaming columns or adjusting data types to suit specific business needs.
14. Assessment Reports
The assessment report highlights objects that may require manual intervention and provides recommendations for successful conversion.
15. Generating and Reviewing Reports
Generate reports after initial analysis.
Review issues related to compatibility and manual changes.
16. Code Conversion and Optimization
AWS SCT automatically converts procedural code (like PL/SQL) into SQL code that is compatible with the target database.
17. Best Practices for AWS SCT
Review Assessment Reports: Address any manual changes.
Use Custom Rules: Create rules to streamline the process.
Test Before Deployment: Validate converted schemas in a test environment.
18. Common Challenges and Troubleshooting
Data Type Mismatches: Use customization rules to resolve data type conflicts.
Procedure Conversion: Some stored procedures may require manual intervention.
19. Use Cases and Real-World Examples
Example 1: Migrating from Oracle to PostgreSQL
Source: Oracle 11g
Target: Amazon RDS PostgreSQL
Process: Use AWS SCT to convert the schema and apply it to PostgreSQL.
Example 2: Migrating SQL Server to Redshift
Source: Microsoft SQL Server 2016
Target: Amazon Redshift
Process: Use AWS SCT to convert SQL Server schema and data warehouse objects to Redshift.
20. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can AWS SCT convert stored procedures?
Yes, AWS SCT converts stored procedures, but manual intervention may be required.
Q2: Is AWS SCT free?
Yes, AWS SCT is free to use.
21. Conclusion
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is a robust, client-side tool that facilitates seamless database migration from on-premises or legacy environments to AWS. By automating schema conversion, data type mapping, and code conversion, AWS SCT reduces migration time and effort, enabling businesses to modernize their data architecture.