SQL Server Migration and Upgrade Process

Learn how to migrate SQL Server databases and objects from older to newer versions, plan and document the process, build test environments, and collaborate with developers and IT staff.

Explore reasons to migrate from older SQL versions, weighing ROI, costs, staffing, testing, and migration paths along with new features like Always On and greater scalability.

download and install the sql server migration applications, including windows os, sql server 2012 and 2016, and virtualbox, with guidance on iso image and extension pack.

Install Oracle VirtualBox to create Windows Server 2016 virtual machines, promote a domain controller for Active Directory, and prepare SQL Server environments (SQL 2012 and 2016) for migration.

Promote Windows server to a domain controller by installing Active Directory Domain Services, set up the RAF Academy domain, and configure a static IP to support SQL Server migration planning.

Prepare a domain controller and active directory environment, assign a static IP, create domain users, and set up a virtualized SQL Server 2012 migration on a VirtualBox setup.

Create a virtual machine, install Windows 2016, and set up SQL Server 2012 to illustrate upgrading from older SQL versions to 2016, with emphasis on step-by-step migration.

Set up a virtual machine for SQL Server 2012, organize installation media, and use shared folders and guest tools to access and prepare for migration.

Demonstrate a default installation of SQL Server 2012 in a test environment, enabling prerequisites, reporting services, and Adventureworks 2012, plus attaching the sample database.

Add and configure objects in the 2012 environment, including secure logins, Windows users, alerts, audits, operators, and jobs, to prepare for migration.

Create and migrate SSIS packages and SSRS reports between old and new SQL environments, plan architecture with separate instances, and document steps for a successful migration.

Explore sql server migration options, comparing in-place upgrades with side-by-side migrations. Learn planning, backups, scripting, and testing to minimize downtime when upgrading from 2008 to 2016 in production environments.

Learn a practical side-by-side migration to SQL 2016: build a parallel environment, back up all databases, script jobs and logins, and perform testing before switching to the new system.

Gather and document databases, logins, server objects, and scripts to guide the SQL Server migration, testing, backups, and Always On availability group planning for a three-month decommission window.

Create a virtual machine for SQL Server 2016, install Windows Server 2016, allocate dedicated data, log, and index drives, and join the domain while planning IP configuration for production upgrade.

Join the domain and configure the VM for SQL Server 2016 by setting IP address, DNS, and firewall considerations, then verify the domain join.

Practice installing SQL 2016 within a virtualized environment as part of a SQL Server migration and upgrade process, covering production configurations, authentication options, and data directory planning.

Install and verify SQL Server Management Studio 2016 (SSMS) on a VM by downloading SSMS 17.0, launching the installer, and confirming the 2016 components and service packs.

Learn how to install SQL 2016 SP1 across machines by downloading, transferring to the VM, and running the setup to upgrade.

Install SQL Server data tools to enable SSRS and SSIS in the destination environment and prepare migration by upgrading SQL Server 2016 and moving databases.

Migrate SQL server databases by backing up system and user databases, planning for large databases with adequate storage and logs, and using the 2016 upgrade advisor to surface migration issues.

Learn to use the SQL Server upgrade advisor and data migration assistant to assess databases for compatibility, identify breaking changes, and plan migration from 2012 to 2016.

Learn to migrate databases from the old SQL environment to the new system using the upgrade wizard and the DMA assistant, including logins and security.

Script and migrate SQL Server jobs, operators, alerts, and logins from source to destination in bulk, then execute and verify the migration, including replication and database mail setup.

Migrate SSIS and SSRS imports by scripting and transferring packages from the old to the new SQL Server, backed by database backups and report server configuration migration.

Migrate SSRS reports and SSIS packages to a new environment, import existing items, upgrade from 2008 to 2016, adjust sources and destinations, map columns, and thoroughly test in production-like setups.

Learn how to deploy reports after migrating a SQL Server report server, including managing encryption keys, backing up keys, deploying reports to the new URL, and configuring security and permissions.

Evaluate migrated databases with dbcc check database to ensure data integrity, implement backup plans, and manage compatibility levels while testing applications and ini configurations.

Manage compatibility from 110 to 130 during a SQL Server upgrade by updating the IP address mappings and application configuration, with team testing across applications.

migrate from the old environment to the new, moving databases, securities, jobs, replication objects, and SSI packages and SSR reports, then decommission the old database after testing and monitoring.

Learn how to perform an in place upgrade from SQL Server 2012 to 2016 using a wizard, with careful backups, downtime considerations, and rollback strategies to preserve configurations.

Upgrade SQL Server from 2012 to 2016 using an in-place upgrade, applying service pack 3, rebooting, and validating the new version, then clone the environment for comparison and backup databases.

Perform an in-place upgrade from SQL Server 2012 with Service Pack 3 to SQL Server 2016, backed by backups, login and security validation, and a Data Migration Assistant compatibility check.

Upgrade a SQL server instance from 2012 to 2016, migrate databases and set compatibility from 110 to 130 to enable 2016 features. Validate connectivity, restart services, install ssms for 2016.

During in-place upgrades, remove remnants of older SQL Server versions by deleting old folders and uninstalling legacy components, ensuring only the current 2016 instance remains.