Migrate from PostgreSQL to SQL Server: 2 Easy Methods

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Is your data team looking for ways to move data from PostgreSQL to SQL Server? Great! The replication will help you achieve tighter integration with Microsoft products and services like Azure services. But, there are a few critical points to consider, such as schema differences between PostgreSQL and SQL Server, downtime management, and data integrity. 

Let’s get into the details of replicating data from PostgreSQL to SQL server.

What is PostgreSQL?

PostgreSQL, is an open-source RDBMS that allows you to store or manage data in structured formats, using rows and columns. It also allows for semi-structured data management like JSON files and XML documents. One can query JSON data with Postgres, pull out individual values from it, and even index JSON documents for efficient retrieval. Because of this, Postgres fits well into applications that work with either structured or flexible data formats. Postgres also provides data types for geospatial and functions, extending the use to geographic information systems and location-based applications.

Key Features of PostgreSQL

1. PostgreSQL is fully compliant with ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability), ensuring reliable transactions.
2. MVCC allows multiple transactions to access the database concurrently without locking, ensuring consistent data views and high transaction performance.
3. Offers robust security features such as SSL support, user-level privileges, role-based access control, row-level security, and auditing extensions.
4. It supports procedural languages like PL/pgSQL, PL/Tcl, PL/Perl, and PL/Python, allowing for the implementation of complex business logic within the database.

What is an SQL Server?

SQL Server is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. As a database server, it is a software product with the primary function of storing and retrieving data as other applications request. It may run on the same or another computer across a network (including the Internet).  Let’s highlight some of its key features :

Key Features of SQL Server

1. Ensures reliable transactions with full ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) compliance, maintaining data integrity and consistency.
2. Features like Always On Availability Groups, failover clustering, database mirroring, and log shipping provide robust high availability and disaster recovery options.
3. Security features include Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Always Encryption, dynamic data masking, row-level security, and role-based access control (RBAC).
4. SQL Server supports in-memory OLTP for high-performance transaction processing and in-memory column store indexes for faster query performance in data warehousing scenarios.

How to Migrate Data from PostgreSQL to SQL Server

Let me show you two easy methods of migrating data from Postgres to SQL Server:

Prerequisites

Before migration, your system should have a few things installed. I have also provided the link in case it is not installed.

1. PostgreSQL
2. SQL Server
3. SSMS 
4. ODBC Driver

Method 1: The Best Way to Load Your Data from PostgreSQL to SQL Server

You can directly transfer data from various sources such as PostgreSQL Database, Business Intelligence tools, Data Warehouses, or a destination of your choice such as MS SQL Server in a completely hassle-free & automated manner.

The following steps can be implemented to connect PostgreSQL to SQL Server using Hevo:

Step 1: Configure PostgreSQL as your Source

• Connect Hevo Data with PostgreSQL providing a unique name for your Pipeline, along with details such as  Database Host, Database Port, Database User, Database Password, Database Name and about your Data Source.

Step 2: Configure SQL Server as Destination

• Establish a connection to MS SQL Server by providing information about its credentials such as Destination Name, Database Host, Database Port, Database User, Database Password, Database Name and Schema Name. 

Here are more reasons to try Hevo for PostgreSQL to MS SQL Server replication:

• Data Transformation: Hevo provides a simple interface to perfect, modify, and enrich the data you want to transfer.
• Schema Management: Hevo can automatically detect the schema of the incoming data and map it to the destination schema.
•  Incremental Data Load: Hevo allows the transfer of data that has been modified in real-time. This ensures efficient utilization of bandwidth on both ends.

The leadership team wanted everyone in the organization to know their numbers and have ready access to data. I was in need of a tool that would solve my data bottleneck and scale with our accelerated growth. 

– Chushul Suri, Head Of Data Analytics, Meesho

Method 2: Migration from Postgres To SQL Server using ODBC Driver

Step 1: Connection to the Server through SSMS

• After the installation, you need to connect to the server. The following page will appear; click on Connect.

    Note–

• Make sure the Server type is Database Engine.
• For the server name, click on the arrow on the right side. You will get the server’s name. Select the name.
• Let the Window Authentication be selected.

Step 2: Connection to PostgreSQL through ODBC Driver

• In the Search bar, type ODBC and select it.
• Add the PostgreSQL Drivers by providing the necessary details. Read more about the steps for configuring PostgreSQL using ODBC drivers in detail.

Step 3: Import Data using SQL Import and Export Wizard

• Go to the Database where you want to migrate.
• Right-click and Select Tasks → Import Data.

• It will open SQL Server Import and Export Wizard. Click on Next.

• Now you need to Choose a Data Source, which in our case is Net Framework Data Provider for Odbc.

• Enter the Details as highlighted above and Choose the Destination Source.
• Choose Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server

• Click Next.

Step 4: Choose the method to import data

• Then, choosing how you want to import your data would be best.

I will write the required query since I have chosen to Write a query specifying the data to transfer.

Note: This is just a sample query

You can also check the progress of the operations in the dialogue box, as shown in the screenshot below.

Step 5: Generate Reports

•  You can also generate reports after the successful completion of the operations.
• Click on View Report to generate the report.

Ultimately, you will see the data you migrated to your SQL Server.

Congratulations !! Your data is now successfully loaded.

Limitations of the Manual Method

• The manual procedure is time-consuming because records must be updated regularly. This consumes resources and time that is better spent on more critical business operations.
• Updating the existing data and managing workflows in both platforms require immense engineering bandwidth and can be a pain point for many users.

Why should you migrate from PostgreSQL to MS SQL Server?

1. System compatibility

Converting your PostgreSQL database to SQL Server can facilitate the integration of your PostgreSQL database with other systems or applications that require SQL Server for operation. Integrating SQL Server databases with other systems or applications can be simplified by synchronizing the databases.

2. Performance

When it comes to complex queries or enormous datasets, PostgreSQL may not always perform as well as SQL Server. By dividing the burden between the two systems, synchronizing the databases can assist enhance performance.

3. Features

PostgreSQL does not provide certain features that SQL Server does, including automated tuning, in-memory OLTP capability, and sophisticated security capabilities. Replicating data between the two systems using database synchronization is advantageous for disaster recovery, backup, and data warehouse creation.

4. Usability

SQL Server could be a better option for some projects if people find it more user-friendly or used to it than PostgreSQL. You may simplify the management and analysis of data by combining information from several sources by synchronizing the databases.

5. Cross-platform Compatibility

Working with data across platforms is made possible by synchronizing the databases, which might be helpful if you use a combination of Windows and Linux computers.

Conclusion

In this article, you got a glimpse of how to connect PostgreSQL to SQL Server after a brief introduction to the salient features, and use cases. The method for PostgreSQL to SQL Server migration step by-step talked in this article is using ODBC Drivers. The process can be a bit difficult for beginners. Moreover, you will have to update the data each and every time it is updated and this is where Hevo, a no-code data migration tool saves the day!

Want to take Hevo for a spin? Sign Up for a 14-day free trial and experience the feature-rich Hevo suite firsthand. Also, check out our unbeatable pricing to choose the best plan for your organization.

FAQ on PostgreSQL to SQL Server