SQL Server 2014 End of Life: All You Need to Do
With the update on SQL Server 2014 End of Life, users have been concerned about what they can do now to save their data before the version stops working properly. With the announcement, Microsoft stopped providing any new security updates and patches for SQL Server Version 2014. Now, with the concern for the users of the SQL 2014 version, we are here to resolve the issue for them.
We will first take a look at the challenges and understand the best methods to resolve the issue. So, without wasting any time, let’s proceed with understanding the impact of stopping SQL Server version 2014.
How SQL Server 2014 EOL Has Impacted Users?
There are a few aspects where the users have been impacted majorly by Microsoft’s decision. Now if we talk about what these challenges are, let’s take a thorough look at the issues faced by the users.
- Microsoft stopped the new updates and patches for SQL version 2014 after the SQL Server 2014 End of Life. Due to the same issue, the database becomes much more vulnerable to cyber threats and other risks, and attacks. So, it becomes one of the major concerns for the users working on SQL Server 2014.
- For the Microsoft SQL Server 2014, all the technical support from Microsoft has been stopped. In case a user encounters any issue in SQL Server 2014. This can lead to bigger challenges for the users who need any repairing in the database without the support provided by Microsoft.
- Another major change after the SQL Server 2014 EOL is the complete cessation of new features and performance updates in SQL Server 2014. Without the new features, users working on the SQL Server Database version 2014 will be unable to carry out numerous functions and operations.
With Microsoft’s decision to stop the updates on SQL Server 2014, it has created multiple challenges. Now, if we talk about how the cessation of these services has impacted the users, the challenges are quite obvious. The only solution to resolve this issue is to upgrade the SQL Server 2014 to a newer version. This will ensure users can use the features of the upgraded version and can further benefit from the upgraded version.
However, there are certain challenges encountered by the users while migrating the database. We will now see the challenges that the users face while migrating their databases from an older version to a newer version.
Challenges During Migration After SQL Server 2014 End of Life
There are different challenges encountered by the users when they try to migrate the SQL Server database from version 2014 to any newer version. Here we are discussing a few of these challenges.
- Compatibility Issues: The most common challenge a user might face during the migration process is the compatibility issues. With each update, SQL Server introduces some new features as well as discards some old ones. Hence, the applications that rely on the previous features may not be compatible with the new features.
- Performance Issues: After the upgrade, the user may encounter some performance changes like queries and their execution in the SQL Server. These changes can be caused due to version changes or the server incompatibility.
- Downtime of the Database: Migration of the SQL Server from 2014 version to a newer version can be complex and time taking. The migration process can also lead to downtime of the database and disrupt the organization’s workflow.
- Data Loss: While migrating the data, one of the major concerns for the users is the risk of data loss. Generally, during the migration process, there is a high possibility of loss of data integrity or complete data loss.
To lower the risk of data loss and other issues, it becomes important for the users to choose an appropriate method for migration after SQL Server 2014 End of Life. Let’s take a look at the methods that can help with the SQL Server Database migration process efficiently.
How to Migrate SQL Server Database to a Newer Version?
To migrate the database from an older version to a newer version, there are a few methods. We will discuss these methods one by one and understand how they help with the SQL Server 2014 EOL. The first method we are going to discuss is SQL Server 2014 is the Backup and Restore method to migrate the database.
Method 1: Migrate SQL Server 2014 Using Backup and Restore Method
When it comes to database migration, the backup and restore method is one of the commonly used ways. This method simply works by taking the backup of the source database and then restoring it in the target server. To migrate the SQL Database using the Backup and Restore method, the user has to follow the given steps:
- The first step is to open SSMS(SQL Server Management Studio).
- Next, go to the Object Explorer, go to Databases, and right-click on the database you wish to migrate.
- Then, go to Tasks, and select Backup from the Menu.
- From the backup type option, choose Full. This step determines the complete backup of the database.
- Then, choose the destination where the database backup will be stored.
- Choose Disk as the saving location to save the backup to a local directory.
- At last, click on the OK button to initiate the Backup Process.
These steps will help the user to take a backup of the SQL Server 2014 database.
Now to restore the Database to migrate the SQL Database to the new server after the SQL Server 2014 End of Life, the following steps need to be followed:
- Connect the database to the new server in SSMS. Now, right-click on the database, and then go to task.
- Choose the Restore option, and click on the database.
- Then click on Device from the Source option.
- Browse, and then add the backup file to the new server.
- From the Specify Backup Wizard option, choose File as the Backup Media.
- Click on the Add button, then click on the backup file and press OK.
- Then, from the Restore Database Options, click on the Select a Page option.
- Lastly, specify the Restore Options. Now, click on the OK button to complete the task.
These steps will help the users to easily migrate the database from an older server to a new server. Moving on to the next method, let’s see how the method will work for a smoother workflow on the SQL Server database.
Method 2: Resolve SQL Server 2014 EOL With a Professional Solution
Now, we will use a professional tool to migrate the SQL Server 2014 to a newer version. With the professional tool, the database administrators can rest assured about the data integrity and data security. The solution we are talking about is the SQL Migration Software.
Let’s now take a look at how this will help the users after the SQL Server 2014 End of Life. The steps for migration using this software are as follows:
- Install and run the database migration tool. Click on the Open Button to open database files.
- Select either Offline or Online Mode and add the required authentication details.
- A scan will take place for the database files. After the scan, the data is loaded in the software panel, preview it.
- Click on the Export button and add the authentication details of the desired SQL Server version.
- Choose the desired database objects to be migrated to the newer version.
- Click on the Export button after selecting the Export with schema and data option to finish the migration process.
With the help of these steps, users can easily migrate their SQL Server database from version 2014 to any newer version they wish to migrate to. The solution also ensures that no data is lost during the migration and data integrity is maintained throughout.
Conclusion
Through this detailed write-up, we have understood the concept of SQL Server 2014 End of Life. Additionally, we have mentioned the challenges encountered by users during the migration of the databases. Users faced numerous obstacles while migrating due to SQL Server 2014 EOL. To help the users with the same, we have further suggested the best solutions to make the migration process seamless.