AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is a free, downloadable application provided by Amazon Web Services that helps organizations migrate their existing database schemas from one database engine to another. This tool is particularly valuable when moving from commercial databases like Oracle, Microsoft …AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is a free, downloadable application provided by Amazon Web Services that helps organizations migrate their existing database schemas from one database engine to another. This tool is particularly valuable when moving from commercial databases like Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, or Teradata to AWS cloud-native databases such as Amazon Aurora, Amazon Redshift, or Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL and MySQL.
The primary function of SCT is to automatically convert source database schemas, including tables, views, stored procedures, and functions, into a format compatible with the target database engine. During the conversion process, SCT analyzes the source schema and generates a detailed assessment report that identifies any conversion issues or incompatibilities between the source and target databases.
Key features of AWS SCT include:
1. **Schema Assessment**: SCT evaluates your existing database and provides a migration complexity report, showing what percentage of code can be converted automatically versus what requires manual intervention.
2. **Code Conversion**: The tool converts database objects, application code, and SQL statements to match the target database syntax and structure.
3. **Data Migration Support**: SCT works alongside AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to facilitate complete database migrations, handling both schema and data transfer.
4. **Multi-Platform Support**: It supports conversions between various database platforms, including heterogeneous migrations where source and target databases are different engines.
5. **Extension Packs**: SCT provides extension packs that help emulate source database functions that may not exist natively in the target database.
Organizations commonly use SCT as part of their cloud migration strategy to reduce licensing costs associated with commercial databases and to leverage the scalability and cost-effectiveness of AWS managed database services. The tool significantly reduces the time and effort required for database migration projects by automating much of the schema conversion work.
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) - Complete Guide
What is AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)?
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is a free desktop application provided by AWS that helps you convert your existing database schema from one database engine to another. It is primarily used during database migration projects when moving from commercial databases (like Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, or Teradata) to AWS database services such as Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, or Amazon Redshift.
Why is AWS SCT Important?
• Cost Savings: Helps organizations move away from expensive commercial database licenses to cost-effective AWS database solutions • Heterogeneous Migration: Enables migration between different database engines that would otherwise require manual conversion • Time Efficiency: Automates the complex process of schema conversion, which would take months if done manually • Assessment Reports: Provides detailed reports showing what can be converted automatically and what requires manual intervention • Application Code Conversion: Can also convert embedded SQL in application code, stored procedures, functions, and triggers
How Does AWS SCT Work?
1. Connect to Source Database: SCT connects to your existing source database to analyze the schema
2. Generate Assessment Report: The tool creates a comprehensive report showing: - Percentage of schema that can be automatically converted - Items requiring manual conversion - Complexity ratings for migration effort
3. Convert Schema: SCT automatically converts compatible database objects including: - Tables and indexes - Views - Stored procedures and functions - Triggers - Data types
4. Apply to Target: The converted schema can be applied to your target AWS database
5. Handle Exceptions: For items that cannot be automatically converted, SCT provides guidance on manual conversion approaches
Key Use Cases:
• Oracle to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL • Microsoft SQL Server to Amazon Aurora MySQL • Teradata to Amazon Redshift • Oracle Data Warehouse to Amazon Redshift • Netezza to Amazon Redshift
SCT vs DMS - Understanding the Difference:
• AWS SCT: Converts the database schema (structure) - tables, views, stored procedures • AWS DMS: Migrates the actual data from source to target • These tools are often used together: SCT first converts the schema, then DMS migrates the data
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
1. Heterogeneous vs Homogeneous: Remember that SCT is needed for heterogeneous migrations (different database engines). For homogeneous migrations (same engine to same engine), you typically only need AWS DMS.
2. Free Tool: SCT is a free download - no additional AWS charges for using the tool itself
3. Desktop Application: SCT runs on your local machine as a desktop application, not as an AWS service in the cloud
4. Assessment Reports: When exam questions mention needing to assess migration complexity or estimate effort, think SCT assessment reports
5. Common Scenarios: If a question describes moving from Oracle or SQL Server to Aurora or from Teradata to Redshift, SCT is likely the answer
6. Stored Procedures: Questions about converting stored procedures, functions, or triggers during migration point to SCT
7. Schema First, Data Second: Remember the order - convert schema with SCT, then migrate data with DMS
8. Data Warehouse Migrations: For questions about migrating data warehouses to Amazon Redshift, SCT is the schema conversion tool of choice
9. Application Code: SCT can also help convert SQL embedded in application source code - this is a differentiating feature
10. Watch for Keywords: Terms like 'schema conversion', 'heterogeneous migration', 'database engine change', or 'migration assessment' should trigger you to consider SCT as the answer