Database Migration via Image Copy and Metadata Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for migrating data from a source database to a target database using image copies are inefficient due to manual input requirements, processing time, and potential for errors, especially when column definitions and version information are incompatible, limiting their use for data migration between environments like production and test.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that creates a metadata export file describing the database structures, verifies version information, automatically translates object identifiers, and maps source to target objects, enabling efficient and error-reduced data migration by using image copies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the unload/reload process is used to migrate data from source to target database, then version compatibility is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating an image copy of the source database and generating a mapping file that pre-identifies compatible tables and columns between source and target databases. This preliminary analysis enables the subsequent migration to proceed directly without time-consuming unload/reload operations, while still ensuring version compatibility through the mapping validation process.
2Productivity
If the image copy approach is used to migrate data from source to target database, then processing time is reduced, but manual input requirements and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically generating the mapping file that identifies compatible tables and columns, automatically translating object identifiers from source to target database, and performing validation checks without requiring manual database administrator intervention. This automation maintains the fast migration speed of image copies while eliminating the manual input errors that previously limited their use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual translation of object identifiers is performed during image copy migration, then migration flexibility is maintained, but accuracy and reliability decrease due to typographical errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of typing and translating object identifiers with an automated computer-based system. The mapping file generation process automatically retrieves object identifier mappings from database metadata, and the translation process uses programmatic logic to convert source object identifiers to target object identifiers, eliminating typographical errors while maintaining migration flexibility through automated validation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for migrating data from a source database (134) to a target database (184) includes executing, using at least one processor, instructions recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The method comprises creating an image copy (405) of the data in the source database, and collecting metadata describing the source database. The metadata may include information used to verify that the target database is compatible with the source database, in order to automatically translate object identifiers. When the source objects of the source database (134) and the target database (184) are compatible, the method continues with refreshing the data in the target database using the image copy.