Oracle and SQL Server are leading relational databases that use SQL but have key differences like T-SQL versus PL/SQL. Companies often need to integrate data across both databases. This article outlines two straightforward methods to connect an Oracle database to SQL Server.
Establishing connectivity enables applications to query and transfer data between Oracle and SQL Server. We’ll walk through simple approaches to link them up. Read on to learn how to connect Oracle to SQL Server for unified data access and operations.
What are the Methods to Connect Oracle to SQL Server?
There are 2 methods you can use to connect Oracle to SQL Server:
Method 1: Automated Process Using Hevo to Connect Oracle to SQL Server
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Hevo Data, a No-code Data Pipeline helps you directly transfer data from Oracle and 150+ other data sources (including 40+free data sources) to Databases tools such as SQL Server, Data Warehouses, or a destination of your choice in a completely hassle-free & automated manner. Hevo allows you to move data from Oracle and Amazon RDS Oracle to the desired data destination. With Hevo, you can choose out of Redo Log, Custom SQL, or Table, and decide the method best suited for your Oracle data transfer.
The following steps can be implemented to connect Oracle to SQL Server using Hevo:
- Configure Source: Connect Hevo Data with Oracle by providing a unique name for your destination along with your database credentials such as username and password. Hevo supports Generic Oracle and Amazon RDS Oracle. To help Hevo connect with your Oracle database, you will also have to provide information such as the host IP, port number, and the name & schema of your database.
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- Integrate Data: Load data from Oracle to SQL Server by providing your SQL Server database credentials, such as your authorized username and password, along with information about your host IP and port number value. You will also need to provide a name for your database and a unique name for this destination.
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Using manual scripts and custom code to move data into the warehouse is cumbersome. Frequent breakages, pipeline errors and lack of data flow monitoring makes scaling such a system a nightmare. Hevo’s reliable data pipeline platform enables you to set up zero-code and zero-maintenance data pipelines that just work.
- Reliability at Scale – With Hevo, you get a world-class fault-tolerant architecture that scales with zero data loss and low latency.
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- Stay in Total Control – When automation isn’t enough, Hevo offers flexibility – data ingestion modes, ingestion, and load frequency, JSON parsing, destination workbench, custom schema management, and much more – for you to have total control.
- Auto-Schema Management – Correcting improper schema after the data is loaded into your warehouse is challenging. Hevo automatically maps source schema with destination warehouse so that you don’t face the pain of schema errors.
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Method 2: Manual Process to Connect Oracle to SQL Server
This method is a straightforward process that will take at least 20 minutes. We will be using a Linked server, a feature available in SQL Server, to make the connection. Also, check out Oracle to Postgres Migration.
The advantages of Oracle link to SQL Server are:
- It facilitates establishing connections with other database instances on the same or remote server.
- It enables the running of distributed queries on heterogeneous data sources across the organization.
- It provides the ability to work with diverse data sources in the same way.
A Linked Server is a tool that allows you to perform standard queries in data stored in NoSQL databases, such as in this case, Oracle. Let’s get down to setting up our connection between Oracle and SQL Server. You can do this by following the below steps:
Step 1: Setting Up the Linked Server
Follow the steps below to link your Oracle to SQL Server right from the Object Explorer pane:
- On the Management Studio, choose your SQL Server Instance.
- Click on the Server Objects from the Object Explorer pane and select Linked Servers, then New Linked Server.
- A dialog box prompting you for details regarding your Linked Server will appear. Configure as explained below:
- Name your Linked Server.
- Select Other Data Source from Server Type.
- Under the provider drop-down list, select Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers.
- Input the name of your DSN under the Data Source Field
Once you correctly perform the abovementioned tasks, a new Linked Server will appear under the Object Explorer pane.
Step 2: Retrieving Data from Oracle
- Under Linked Servers, find MSDASQL, which will be under providers, and select it by double-clicking, as shown below.
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- A list of provider options will appear as shown below.
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- Ensure the Allow Inprocess option is unchecked. Next, create a new Linked Server.
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- Once you do this, select ‘Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers’ and ensure you check the following parameters:
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- Ensure you name the Linked Server, Product Name, and Data Source. You will then be directed to the security section. Provide details as per your organizational specifications.
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- On the next window, select the security specifications based on the login format in your Oracle Database as shown below
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That’s it! Once you click ‘Okay,’ the Linked Server will be created. You can verify by testing the connection as shown below.
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That’s it! You have successfully connected Oracle to SQL Server using the Manual Method!
One limitation of this method includes:
- Creating a linked server with the ‘Allow Inprocess’ option enabled. –Always disable this option when creating the server, and in case you forget, just delete and repeat the process.
To overcome this limitation, and several others, and connect Oracle to SQL Server quickly and efficiently, you can use Hevo’s No-code Data Pipelines.
Why Migrate Data From Oracle to SQL Server?
Both Oracle and SQL Server are very popular relational database management systems and have wide use cases in enterprise applications database management. But, Oracle comes with a heavy price tag, and Oracle exclusive features like Oracle Enterprise Manager or Data Guard include a heavy price tag. Whereas SQL Server is cost-effective and delivers all database features under one license cost.
Moreover, the SQL Server proves that having it is worth it because of its robust and powerful data processing architecture. Hence, making many customers prefer to choose SQL Server over Oracle. And, if you are scrutinizing the sustainability of your existing Oracle databases and want to migrate to SQL Server, then continue to read for more info.
Oracle to SQL Server Migration Challenges
- Object-Related Mapping: You must review the Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) used. On Oracle and SQL Server, the same ORM version may support distinct feature sets. It would be prudent to first test the migration process by transferring a small selection of tables and reviewing the results to determine whether ORM changes would necessitate further effort or upgrades.
- Migrating Indexes: Indexes are database objects that must be migrated since they speed up querying by functioning as pointers to data for quick retrieval. However, the way data is stored in Oracle and SQL Server is highly different, so you’ll need to look at the table layouts and associations, paying special attention to the data’s business requirements and use cases, to develop an indexing strategy.
- Conversion Considerations: For the conversion to run smoothly, the conversion scope must be defined. Examine all of the source Oracle schemas, then migrate each schema into its own database or merge them into a single database with several schemas, depending on your needs.
- Licensing: You should consider the SQL Server license you’ll need before starting the Oracle to SQL Server transfer. You may believe that the SQL Server Standard edition is sufficient for your requirements. The Enterprise Edition, on the other hand, offers several key capabilities that you may require in the future and can affect your data’s performance, security, and manageability.
- Database Performance: Before you migrate from Oracle to SQL Server, you should be familiar with the database workload. Examine the frequency of peak loads and performance metrics. After the migration, evaluate the new platform and technology by monitoring CPU, IO, Memory, and Network Traffic demand. Then, you can see if the technology resource sizing was done correctly or if you need to do more.
Conclusion
This article gave you a step-by-step guide on how to connect Oracle to SQL Server. It also informs you about the advantages to establish Oracle connect to SQL server. Overall, connecting Oracle to SQL Server can be done using either the manual method or by using Hevo. The second method involves manual efforts using significant engineering bandwidth and requires knowledge of SQL. For someone to quickly create a load job from Oracle to SQL Server without going in deep into configurations and other details, an ETL tool like Hevo which can accomplish this in a matter of clicks is a better alternative.
Hevo Data provides an Automated No-code Data Pipeline that empowers you to overcome the above-mentioned limitations. You can leverage Hevo to seamlessly transfer data from Oracle to SQL Server in real time without writing a single line of code. Also check out our unbeatable pricing to choose the best plan for your organization.
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With expertise in freelance writing, Orina specializes in concepts related to data integration and data analysis, offering comprehensive insights for audiences keen on solving problems related to data industry.