Database Migration vs Replication

This article dives into terminology and exposes difference between database migration and replication.

Database migration involves transferring data from one or more source databases to one or more target databases using a dedicated database migration service. Once the migration is complete, the dataset from the source databases is entirely moved, potentially with structural modifications, to the target databases. At this point, clients that previously interacted with the source databases are redirected to the target databases, and the source databases are deactivated.

Database migration is commonly implemented according to Extract-Transform-Load technique. Read ETL Approach to Database Migration article for related information.

Database replication is an ongoing and uninterrupted data transfer from source databases to target databases, with the aim of maintaining both the source and target databases simultaneously. It is also known as database streaming. Unlike database migration, the goal of replication is not to deactivate or turn down the source databases, but rather to ensure continuous synchronization between the source and target databases.

Database replication may use techniques of Change Data Capture in order to avoid or extensively decrease downtime of the source system. Read Exploring Change Data Capture article for related information.

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