Sql-server – Migrate all databases from one SQL Server 2005 to another

backupmigrationsql server

We have a production SQL Server 2005 server on which we are hosting 200 databases.

We want to host these databases on our new server. On new server SQL Server 2005 is installed and is ready.

I want to know the best and the most convenient way to migrate the whole data includes:

  • Security and permission
  • Users and memberships
  • All of the databases and ..

In one word I want to have exactly the same copy of the current SQL Server 2005 on our new instance on the new server.

I will be thankful if you guide me on this case.

Best regards

Best Answer

Disclaimer : SQL Server 2005 is out of mainstream support. - extended support ends for sp4 on 04/12/2016

Migration always have a downtime. So depending on how much your downtime is, you can go with setting up either :

  1. Logshipping ( I have used this method and it reduces the downtime considerably)

    a. Set up logshipping from the source to destination server as usual. Keep the sync time 1 min (which is minimum).

    b. On the day of migration, make sure the logbackups are in sync.

    c. Stop all the logshipping jobs and then take the final tail log-backup and put the primary databases in no-recovery mode (this is just in case you need to go back to primary).

    d. restore the tail log backups on the secondary with recovery bringing all the secondary databases online.

  2. Database Mirroring : I do not recommend mirroring for migrating 200 databases as you will easily exhaust the worker threads as described in this KB article.. If there were less databases, then this would be a viable option.

If you have enough downtime then I would recommend

backup / restore method (as opposed to detach / attach) as if something goes wrong, you atleast have a good backup to restore back. this script will get you started with moving all the logins and databases. Just modify it to use backup / restore (or take full backups before running the script - as it uses detach/attach method).

Things you can do prior to migration :

  • Refer to this answer for migration steps. Some may apply to your scenario as well.

  • script out all the jobs / ssis packages, etc --OR -- As suggested by @shanky, you can restore the system databases from the old server to new server before hand - that will give you all the logins, jobs, etc on the new server.

  • turn on Instant File Initialization on the new server.

  • Have multiple tempdb data files with equal size.
  • Enable Trace Flag 1118 - to assist in TEMPDB scalability by avoiding SGAM and other allocation contention points.
  • Configure max and min memory correctly. Especially Max memory away from default.
  • Properly adjust the MAXDOP settings. Refer to https://dba.stackexchange.com/a/36578/8783 for more details.
  • Best is to install sp_Blitz from Brent Ozar. Run it and address the critical and high priority issues reported by it.
  • You can even use SQL Power Doc from kendalvandyke - SQL Power Doc works with all versions of SQL Server from SQL Server 2000 through 2012, and all versions of Windows Server and consumer Windows Operating Systems from Windows 2000 and Windows XP through Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. Also useful for Planning upgrades - see what hidden features are in use on an instance.

Edit:

You can use powershell to migrate your all databases from one server to another as described at Use PowerShell to Migrate Entire SQL Server Instance (db, logins, jobs, etc)

Migrates databases with simple or complex file structures via backup & restore or detach & attach. Also migrates users with passwords, SIDs, server & db permission sets, server & db roles, server configuration settings, SQL Agent objects, user objects in systems databases.

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