1. Introduction: Why Move to Oracle Cloud?
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) offers high-performance, cost-efficient, and secure solutions for enterprise databases. Migrating Oracle databases to OCI can help businesses modernise infrastructure, increase agility, reduce costs, and enhance reliability with minimal disruption.
2. Migration Planning: First Steps
Oracle provides free planning advisors to assess your current environment, define the right OCI destination (e.g. Autonomous Database, Exadata Cloud Service), and estimate effort and downtime requirements.
Key steps:
Assess source database size, version, and usage.
Choose your target: Autonomous DB, Oracle Base Database Service, or Exadata Cloud.
Review licencing options (BYOL or subscription).
3. Migration Methods: Online and Offline
Oracle offers both online and offline migration paths to meet business continuity needs:
Offline Migration
Suited for scenarios where short downtime is acceptable.
Tools: Oracle Data Pump, RMAN, Transportable Tablespaces.
Process: Export → Transfer → Import → Validate.
Online Migration (Minimal Downtime)
Use Oracle GoldenGate or Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM).
Replicates data in real time from on-premises to OCI.
Ensures minimal or zero disruption during the switch-over.
4. Automation & Tools
Oracle supports fast and reliable migrations with built-in automation:
Oracle Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM): Streamlines migrations using an all-in-one CLI tool.
OCI Database Migration Service: Managed cloud-native service that guides you step-by-step.
SQL Developer: Supports schema conversions and validation.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Console: Simplifies provisioning and monitoring of target environments.
5. Guided Steps to Migrate
Oracle’s structured approach includes:
Discover & assess your database environment.
Choose your destination: based on performance, availability, and manageability needs.
Select migration method: online or offline.
Execute the migration using Oracle tools or partner services.
Validate performance post-migration and optimise.
6. Post-Migration Optimisation
Once migrated:
Monitor performance using OCI Metrics & Logs.
Tune SQL using SQL Performance Analyser.
Set up automated backups and disaster recovery.
Leverage Oracle support for post-migration assistance.
7. Free Resources & Help
Oracle provides:
Free database migration tools
Step-by-step guides
Automated advisors
Expert support from Oracle and partners
Visit: oracle.com/europe/database/cloud-migration
Conclusion
Oracle Cloud Migration isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a business transformation. Whether you seek cost reduction, performance, or innovation, Oracle offers the tools, automation, and guidance to help you succeed with confidence.
