This service migrates a SQL Server to an Azure VM with minimal downtime using SQL Server transactional replication — a legitimate, long-established technique for cases where an Always On availability group is not available on-premises. IT Partner configures the replication topology, initializes the Azure VM subscriber from a snapshot, keeps incremental changes flowing continuously until cutover, then disables replication and points users to the Azure database. The service is $2,300 per project, runs 1 week, and is managed by Mike Mackey.
Transactional replication is typically used in server-to-server environments, and it remains a Microsoft-supported way to move a SQL Server database to an Azure VM while the source stays online. This service is relevant when you need to minimize downtime and do not have an Always On on-premises deployment. The objective is to migrate a SQL Server to an Azure VM with minimal downtime: the Azure VM SQL Server is configured as a subscriber, a snapshot initializes it with the published schema and data, incremental changes synchronize continuously or on a schedule, and at cutover replication is disabled and users are pointed to the Azure database. The honest constraint of the method is that every replicated table must have a primary key, and cutover still requires a short window to quiesce writes, validate final synchronization, and redirect applications. The service manager is Mike Mackey.
Confirm scope, stakeholders, communication plan, migration objectives, target Azure VM details, anticipated cutover approach, maintenance window expectations, and required access. Identify any application owners, database dependencies, and vendor contacts needed for testing or cutover coordination.
Review the source SQL Server and Windows Server configuration, SQL Server version and edition, database list, database sizes, compatibility considerations, replication eligibility — including confirming that in-scope tables have primary keys — SQL Agent status, service accounts, backup posture, connectivity to Azure, and required firewall or name resolution paths between Publisher, Distributor, and Subscriber.
Prepare the Azure VM SQL Server target as needed for replication, validate connectivity, configure the transactional replication topology, create the publication and subscription, configure the Snapshot Agent, Log Reader Agent, and Distribution Agent, and initialize the subscriber using the snapshot containing the required schema, data, and published database objects.
Monitor replication health and latency, allow incremental changes to synchronize to the Azure VM SQL Server subscriber, coordinate a final cutover window, quiesce or redirect application writes as appropriate, validate final synchronization, disable replication, and point users or applications to the Azure-hosted SQL Server database endpoint.
Validate database availability from Azure, confirm that expected data is present, review replication and SQL Agent job status, support application or user smoke testing, address migration-related issues identified during validation, and document final status, acceptance evidence, outstanding issues, and budget information in the closeout report.
This service migrates a SQL Server to an Azure VM with minimal downtime by using SQL Server transactional replication when an on-premises Always On deployment is not available. IT Partner implements the Snapshot Agent, Log Reader Agent, and Distribution Agent, prepares snapshot files for published schema and data, synchronizes distribution jobs, manages incremental changes from the Publisher to the Azure VM Subscriber, and coordinates the final cutover.
The service is $2,300 per project and runs 1 week, quoted fixed-price in writing before work begins. Microsoft licensing and Azure consumption charges are billed by Microsoft separately.
When you need to keep downtime to a minimum and do not have an Always On availability group on-premises. The source database stays online while replication keeps the Azure VM subscriber synchronized, so the outage is limited to a short cutover window rather than the full data transfer time.
The bulk data movement happens while the source stays online, so business impact is concentrated in the final cutover window: quiescing writes, validating final synchronization, disabling replication, and redirecting applications. The exact window depends on your environment and is agreed during planning; the service minimizes downtime but does not promise zero downtime.
Yes. Every table published for transactional replication must have a primary key, SQL Server Agent must be able to run the replication jobs, and network connectivity is required between the Publisher, Distributor, and the Azure VM Subscriber. IT Partner verifies replication eligibility during the review milestone and flags tables that need remediation.
The project success criterion is that SQL databases are available from Azure without data loss. The engagement is complete when the Azure VM-hosted SQL Server serves the migrated databases after replication is disabled and users are pointed to the Azure database.
Incremental changes at the Publisher flow to the Azure VM Subscriber according to the Distribution Agent schedule, which can run continuously for minimal latency or at scheduled intervals. This keeps the Azure copy current until the agreed cutover window.
IT Partner coordinates an agreed cutover window, quiesces or redirects application writes, validates that final synchronization is complete, disables replication, and points users and applications to the Azure-hosted SQL Server database endpoint. Application owners participate in smoke testing before the window closes.
The acceptance criterion is that SQL databases are available from Azure without data loss, validated during final synchronization checks and post-cutover verification. A current backup of the source databases is a prerequisite before migration work begins, and the closeout report documents the acceptance evidence.
The client provides a dedicated point of contact, coordinates any outside vendor resources and schedules, configures networking equipment such as load balancers, routers, firewalls, and switches, and provides remote or physical access to the required servers, systems, services, and facilities.
Customer network equipment configuration (a client responsibility), application remediation and performance tuning, high availability design on the target VM, Microsoft licensing and Azure consumption costs, and documentation beyond the project closeout report — which can be provided for an additional fee.
A project closeout report indicating the final project status, including evidence of meeting acceptance criteria, any outstanding issues, and the final budget.