Oracle is excited to unveil Oracle Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM) 26.1, the latest evolution in effortless, reliable database migration to Oracle Cloud, Multicloud, and beyond.
Migration challenges and how Oracle ZDM solves them
Moving enterprise databases to the cloud is no small feat. Traditional migrations are often time-consuming, error-prone, and can disrupt mission-critical applications. This process is a complex journey, often filled with obstacles:
- Specialized Knowledge Gaps:
- While many Database Administrators are comfortable with classic tools, cloud migrations demand deeper expertise with solutions like RMAN, Data Pump, Data Guard, GoldenGate, and cloud command-line tools.
- Security:
- Transitioning to the cloud may involve encrypting databases that were previously unencrypted, introducing new requirements and raising the bar on security expertise.
- Version Management:
- Databases can run many versions and patch levels, so coordinating upgrades during migration is critical but complicated.
- Architecture Changes:
- Shifting from a single-tenant to a multitenant setup can impact both how migration works and system availability.
- Ensuring Availability:
- Move data to the cloud without leaving users in the dark, a continuous challenge for mission-critical applications.
- Platform Changes:
- Cloud services often run on Linux, so migrations from AIX, Solaris, or Windows sources add technical hurdles.
- Licensing & Additional Costs:
- Many migration tools require extra licenses, driving up both cost and complexity.
The good news: Oracle Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM) tackles all these challenges. ZDM streamlines migration, automates complex tasks, handles encryption and version upgrades in one step, manages architectural shifts, ensures your databases remain available, supports diverse platforms, and is license-friendly. With ZDM, migrating to the cloud is no longer daunting: it’s fast, secure, and seamless, every step of the way.
What is Oracle ZDM?
ZDM is Oracle’s fully automated, no-cost migration solution. Whether your data resides on-premises, on Oracle’s cloud platforms, or even in third-party clouds, ZDM enables smooth and largely interruption-free migrations.
Built on Oracle’s proven Maximum Availability Architecture and deeply integrated with tools like Data Guard, GoldenGate, Recovery Manager (RMAN), Data Pump, and Database Links, ZDM lets you migrate confidently, knowing your production environments stay available throughout the process.
Flexible Migration Capabilities
ZDM’s design enables physical, logical, and hybrid migrations. Whether your database is on Linux, Solaris, AIX, or Windows, on Oracle RAC or single-instance setups, ZDM can handle it. ZDM helps you to convert from non-CDB to pluggable databases (PDBs) on the fly, thus adding versatility to the migration workflow.
Broad Version Support
With support for Oracle AI Database versions from 11.2.0.4 through 26ai, ZDM allows for cross-version migrations and upgrades. The new physical migration with upgrade feature (introduced in 21.5) adds even more flexibility for modernization projects. Whether you’re moving to or from on-premises, Oracle Cloud, or partnering cloud infrastructures, Oracle ZDM ensures your data stays available and secure every step of the way.
What is new in Oracle Zero Downtime Migration 26.1?
ZDM Instant Deploy
ZDM introduces Instant Deploy, a no-install option for rapid, local database migrations. Customers can deploy ZDM directly on the source or target server, bypassing the need for extra virtual machines or installations. All features, including physical, logical, and hybrid migrations, remain available, and existing configuration files work as before.
New Migration Workflow: Physical Migration with PDB Cloning
Oracle ZDM 26 introduces Physical Migration with Pluggable Database (PDB) Cloning, enabling faster and more flexible database migrations, including optional upgrade within the migration workflow. This workflow is tailored for small to mid-size databases and uses database links to streamline data transfer. Customers can choose between Cold, Hot, or Refreshable cloning, based on their downtime tolerance and migration needs:
- Cold cloning is best for environments where downtime is acceptable (e.g., test/development) and is required for database version 12.1.
- Hot cloning supports minimal-disruption migrations, keeping databases online during the process (version 12.2+).
- Refreshable cloning enables ongoing synchronization for seamless, online migrations, ideal for production, test, and development environments (version 12.2+).
Support for Source Databases on Windows Operating System
The Release 26 of ZDM enables Windows source databases via ZDM’s logical migration workflow. Customers now have more migration choices and can move databases more easily and reliably.
Data Pump Export from Standby Database
ZDM’s logical migration workflow automates Data Pump and GoldenGate migrations from a primary database. Starting in release 26.1, ZDM can now export from a snapshot standby database, avoiding any possible disruption of live workloads. This new approach streamlines online and offline migrations, enables high parallelism for faster data transfers, and further optimizes migration job performance.
ZDM support for new target platform: Oracle Database Appliance
ZDM has long supported migrations to Exadata On-Premises systems. The latest release adds Oracle Database Appliance as a new migration target for physical, logical, and hybrid migrations.
Physical Migration Integration with Oracle Key Vault
ZDM now automates Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and Oracle Key Vault (OKV) integration, streamlining secure cloud migrations. OKV wallet migration is now fully automated. Customers no longer need to manually transfer encryption keys or configure database wallets as ZDM manages the entire process. Whether using OKV or file wallets, the workflow ensures the target database is encrypted with the required wallet type.
APEX Metadata Workspace Migration
ZDM’s logical workflow now automates Oracle APEX workspace metadata migration, eliminating the manual steps that once caused delays and errors. By orchestrating the entire process using standardized tools and procedures, ZDM minimizes downtime, ensures accuracy, and preserves your application’s integrity. The logical migration workflow exports, transfers, and configures APEX metadata on the target database automatically, reducing operational risk and speeding cloud or on-premise deployments.
Benefits of APEX Workspace Migration:
- Faster Time-to-Value: Automated migration accelerates project timelines.
- Reduced Risk: Standardized processes and reduced manual intervention minimize errors.
- Business Continuity: Application integrity is preserved, ensuring a smooth user experience post-migration.
- Flexibility: Users can manage APEX migration via response file parameters or standard configurations.
Automatic Workload Repository Migration
ZDM now automates the migration of Oracle’s Automatic Workload Repository (AWR) reports, making it easier for organizations to analyze and optimize database performance before and after the migration. AWR collects system-wide performance statistics and historical data, giving teams the insight needed for informed tuning and troubleshooting.
Oracle Zero Downtime Migration Key Benefits
- Simple & Efficient
- Automated workflows eliminate manual tasks, cut errors, and reduce project time up to 50% less for planning, 30% less for engineering.
- Highly Available
- Migrate with zero or near-zero downtime, thanks to deep integration with Oracle high-availability solutions.
- Cost-Effective
- ZDM is free. It leverages existing Oracle licenses and special provisions, so there are no extra costs for your migration project.
Ready to take the next step in database innovation? Oracle Zero Downtime Migration puts you in control, making migrations smoother, faster, and more secure than ever. Our powerful automation streamlines your move to Oracle AI Database, minimizing risk and reducing downtime while simplifying complex upgrades. With Oracle Zero Downtime Migration, your organization can quickly leverage Oracle’s latest AI-powered capabilities, analytics, and cloud advancements. Discover how our newest product can accelerate your business transformation. For a deeper dive, visit the Oracle ZDM product website.