{"id":51294,"date":"2025-07-17T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-12-12T16:24:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T00:24:55","slug":"accelerate-sql-server-migration-to-azure-with-azure-arc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/sql-server\/blog\/2025\/07\/17\/accelerate-sql-server-migration-to-azure-with-azure-arc\/","title":{"rendered":"Accelerate SQL Server Migration to Azure with Azure Arc\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019re excited to announce a new migration capability in Azure Arc to simplify and accelerate SQL Server migration. This new capability, now generally available, is powered by Azure Database Migration Service and it offers seamless, end-to-end migration capabilities including continuous migration assessments, simplified provisioning, and real-time database replication, assisted by Copilot in Azure. What once took months can now be accomplished in just days, with confidence, continuity, and control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn more about the new migration capability in Azure Arc<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

End-to-end migration simplified<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been using SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc, you\u2019re likely familiar with continuous migration assessments<\/a> that offer target recommendations, technical readiness, and cost estimates. Now, we\u2019re taking the next step forward by introducing automated, end-to-end migration capabilities in SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you’ve assessed the Azure readiness of your SQL Server instances, you can now select or provision your Azure targets such as Azure SQL Managed Instance<\/a>, without jumping between various tools or places in the Azure portal. This streamlined workflow eliminates context switching and simplifies provisioning. You\u2019ll see estimated costs during the provisioning process, giving you clear visibility and confidence to plan ahead. Plus, you can take advantage of the free Azure SQL Managed Instance offer<\/a> to evaluate at no cost, making it easier to get started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Real-time database replication is also integrated into the new migration capability. This new method, built on top of distributed availability groups, enables near real-time database replication from SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance. Setting up real-time replication manually can be a complex multi-step process, but Azure Arc simplifies the entire process while providing best-in-class monitoring. If a customer decides to go back to on-premises, Azure SQL Managed Instance Link also supports seamless failback (if the source SQL Server instance is SQL Server 2022 and above). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Migrate with confidence <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The new capability empowers customers to migrate with confidence. Before officially cutting over, you can validate that the target Azure SQL Managed Instance meets your business requirements by using the target instance as a read-only replica.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the client connection summary feature<\/a> in SQL Server, enabled by Azure Arc, automatically and continuously captures and displays which clients are connecting to each instance. This replaces the previous manual and time-consuming process of tracing applications to their databases, giving customers clear visibility and helping ensure a smooth transition to Azure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Innovate anywhere with Azure Arc<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Get started today <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to simplify and accelerate your migration to Azure, this new connected capability can help you get there faster\u2014with less downtime, lower overhead, and more confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n