SQL to Oracle migration

[LewisLawrence]

Folks,

Curious if anyone has ever completed a Microsoft SQL to Oracle database migration for their Windchill implementation. I know there are lots of companies who have done the reverse migration but I cannot find anyone who has gone from SQL to Oracle. I have heard rumours of PTC customers who have transitioned from SQL to Oracle, but I am struggling to find anyone who has actually done it.

Anyone have any information to share?

[VladimirN]

The following materials may be of some help:

• "How to Migrate SQL Server Database to Oracle using Oracle SQL Developer": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uC7XGPyelY
• "Overview of Oracle to SQL Server Migration process for Windchill": https://www.ptc.com/en/support/article/CS224479

[LewisLawrence]

Thanks for the reply, I am aware of the options/toolsets for migrating from SQL to Oracle, also aware there are some generic options to migrate a SQL database to Oracle. But as I understand things there are some complications with the Windchill database, because some tables use blob storage and likely other details I am not aware of.  I suspect any solution would likely have to at least involve the bulk migrator or a similar Windchill aware toolset to perform a data extract.

In general a migration seems like it is theoretically possible, hoping to find someone who knows for sure and is ideally willing to partner on a project to do it.

[avillanueva]

I had inquired about this last year. There was a cost saving effort to shift DBs to SQLServer away from Oracle. I had heard that migration from SQLServer to Oracle was not supported by PTC. It was a forever one way transfer. This would make me nervous since I was reading a bunch of CS articles on SQLServer issues and if we had to reverse course, there would be no way back. I am sure that it can technically be done but I would hate for an upgrade to fail later and PTC state your are on your own.

[jbailey]

I have a feeling you would want to involve a VAR or PTC services to use the Windchill Bulk Migrator tool.

[LewisLawrence]

The plan is to engage a partner to work with for the migration, at the moment I am just trying to determine if it is possible. A few folks are telling me it is, but I have yet to talk with anyone who has done it.

I believe Windchill+ runs Oracle, if so then there will be a requirement for a toolset to go from SQL to Oracle to migrate existing customers to that platform.

[HelesicPetr]

Hi @LewisLawrence 

I know that moving data directly from MSSQL to Oracle is possible, but PTC does not support it and no one can guarantee that you will not have any troubles in a future. 

Windchill+ is absolutely different story. It does not use direct a transfer between databases (database to database).

Windchill+ has a tool to import data from source to the new Windchill+ system with configuration and also customization. Thanks that there is no problem with migration between database types.. 

Someone from PTC can correct me if I'm wrong.

PetrH

[LewisLawrence]

There are non-PTC tools to move from SQL to Oracle, but as I understand things they would not be able to work with all the Windchill data, as some tables use blob storage. Any migration would have to use a tool like the bulk migrator to do the extract.

I expect there is (or there will be soon) a toolset to migrate from SQL to Oracle to support customers moving to Windchill+, whether that is (or will be) available to the partner network is another question.

Meantime my original question remains unanswered. Has anyone successfully migrated from SQL to Oracle for an existing Windchill implementation?

[HelesicPetr]

Hello @LewisLawrence 

You can move all blobs data to vault file location and then you don't have to care about the blobs :D.

To your original question > I don't think so. 

PetrH

[LewisLawrence]

The Windchill database uses BLOB storage for some tables, definitely in the role assignment areas of functionality. This data cannot be queried directly using the query builder or migrated/exported using standard database tools. Hence the need for something like the bulk migrator.

It would be helpful for me if we could limit responses in this thread to just people with experience in this area.

[LewisLawrence]

Thought I should respond to myself and close this one out.

At the time I made my original post I also reached out to some of the PTC team directly, they were kind enough to share some information and provide some direction. As already mentioned in this thread, PTC do have an in house toolset for migrating SQL server Windchill systems to Oracle to move customers to their Windchill+ platform, this is for internal use only with no plans to commercialise.

I have not heard of any customers who have made the SQL to Oracle transition, though it appears some did test the opposite and "revert" back to Oracle for performance reasons. In all probability I expect this transition was only ever made using a non-production system.

There are organisations and toolsets in the marketplace offering a migration service, based on some recommendations I am currently exploring options with this approach.