Transitioning from MongoDB to Oracle

In recent years, many businesses have moved to NoSQL databases, with MongoDB leading the charge, to accelerate application development and handle diverse data types. While there are certain benefits to NoSQL, these databases can also open a Pandora’s box of challenges—from performance challenges and scalability constraints to security risks and the quest for a steadfast, future-proof system. Since its inception, Oracle's enterprise database has been the leading enterprise database in the market. Performance and scalability issues and security risks disappear, and customers know that with Oracle, their systems have been future-proof for decades.

Oracle databases have traditionally been the leaders in managing large-scale operations, effortlessly handling massive transaction volumes, and scaling at the speed of a business’s growth. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Oracle’s security is second to none, with enterprise-level encryption, access controls, and auditing—crucial for industries where data security is mandatory. Moreover, Oracle’s unified platform simplifies the management of structured and unstructured data, paving the way for seamless data integration. It’s no surprise that Oracle remains the undisputed leader in the enterprise database arena, charting a clear course for companies aligning their IT strategies with long-term ambitions.

MongoDB is a document-oriented database or a document database for short. A document database is a non-relational or NoSQL database that stores information in documents. JSON and BSON are the commonly used document formats.

Switching from MongoDB to Oracle requires careful attention to several factors, especially when handling JSON data, maintaining compatibility with MongoDB’s unique features, and improving overall performance. Oracle Database 21c has introduced a JSON datatype with an optimized binary storage format called Oracle Simple Object Notation (OSON). OSON is engineered to make working with JSON in Oracle more efficient, offering significant performance gains over traditional JSON formats. It integrates smoothly with Oracle’s systems, supporting standard JSON documents while boosting query speed and update efficiency.

This upgrade benefits JSON applications, including faster query responses, smoother updates, and less storage use. What’s great is that these improvements are seamless; your applications continue to interact with JSON documents just as before, using standard text strings. However, the database processes these documents more efficiently thanks to this binary format.

Structurally, document databases give schema flexibility at the cost of losing data constraints/data validation guarantees upheld by the database. This is good for newer, rapidly changing schemas but a worse tradeoff as the schema ages and stabilizes.

mLogica’s migration solutions work cohesively with Oracle tools to migrate MongoDB to Oracle databases quicker and much smoother than other manual or semi-automated solutions in the market. There are multiple migration paths that a customer can take. Customers can take advantage of Oracle Database API for MongoDB (MongoDB API) for faster and low-effort migrations. Or they can decide to migrate over to the Oracle NoSQL database. Lastly, they can migrate from a document-centric structure to a relational database. mLogica’s solutions help customers on each path for a faster, smoother, and painless migration.

Depending on the customer's requirement, whether they still want to continue using a JSON or a NoSQL format within an Oracle database or want to move out of NoSQL databases completely, there are multiple migration paths available:

1. Use MongoDB API
2. Migrate a MongoDB database to an Oracle NoSQL database with mLogica’s migration technologies
3. Using mLogica’s STAR*M migration software to migrate a MongoDB Database to an Oracle Database

MongoDB API allows developers to access JSON documents in Oracle Databases from MongoDB-compatible applications using MongoDB commands. MongoDB API translates the MongoDB Wire protocol into SQL statements that an Oracle database can execute. The MongoDB Wire protocol enables the client applications to interact with a database server through a TCP/IP socket.

MongoDB API is available as:

1. A part of a fully managed Autonomous Database Serverless – requires no configuration or any maintenance; Oracle takes care of all database administration activities
2. For any Oracle database – If a customer has Oracle REST Data Services (ORDS) 22.3 or later, they can use MongoDB API with an:
   1. Autonomous Database, release 19c (dedicated, serverless, or cloud@customer) or
   2. Unmanaged Oracle Database (21c or later), on-premises or in the Cloud - where the customer manages the deployment and support of the MongoDB API

Customers interested in utilizing the advanced features and security an Oracle database provides without making many changes to their MongoDB-centric applications can consider using MongoDB API. There are several advantages:

1. Easy migration—The MongoDB API enables a ‘lower effort migration’ as the Oracle Database is MongoDB wire protocol compatible and natively understands MongoDB commands; therefore, whole application rewrites may not be required. Customers can migrate data to the Oracle database to utilize all the advanced features provided by Oracle, such as advanced security, ACID transactions, and analytics and reporting capabilities.
2. No net new skills - The current application team, experienced in using MongoDB commands for business logic, data manipulation, and basic administration, can continue using their existing skill sets to develop JSON document-store applications. Similarly, customers can leverage any pre-existing Oracle staff to maintain and optimize the Oracle Database without requiring new skills in unfamiliar technologies, even if it is an Oracle NoSQL Database.

mLogica migration technology supports the customer’s journey using the MongoDB API model as follows:

1. ‘Like to Like’ migration using the same collections and documents with MongoDB CRUD operations.
2. Optimize the system using standard Oracle Database techniques such as Partitioning, Indexing, Virtual Columns, SQL Tuning, etc.
3. Innovate on the single data management platform and enable Oracle’s advanced features, such as Graph, AI/ML, Vector Search, etc.

In this approach, certain application-specific functionalities or performance optimizations might require additional adjustments to fully leverage Oracle's capabilities.

Oracle’s No-SQL Database is a non-relational database that enables storing and accessing data in JSON, Key-Value and Table formats. mLogica works closely with Oracle to enable its customers to migrate their NoSQL databases to Oracle NoSQL Database using the native tools and mLogica’s automated migration suite. Some of these tools are listed below:

• Oracle NoSQL Database Migrator—Oracle provides this tool to migrate data from MongoDB-formatted JSON files stored in OCI Object Storage to the Oracle NoSQL Database Cloud Service database using a custom or default schema.
• Command-line tools – The following commands enable you to migrate data from MongoDB to Oracle:
  • mongoexport – Exports data from a MongoDB database to the file system
  • mongoimport – Enables you to import data from the file system to an Oracle database
• MongoDB Compass tool – GUI-based tool that enables you to import data into an Oracle Database from a document collection
• Oracle GoldenGate – Allows online MongoDB migrations by replicating the source data to a target database. GoldenGate captures all schema and data changes in a log file, which are then applied to the target on an ongoing basis

Despite these tools, complex data models or application logic may still require advanced migration software to ensure full compatibility and optimal performance on the Oracle NoSQL Database.

mLogica employs its migration tools to automate the migration cycle, thereby reducing the project duration and cutting down on errors significantly. For example, mLogica’s STAR*M suite can automate the process of remediating the application to work with the Oracle NoSQL database.

mLogica is a pioneer in heterogenous migrations having successfully migrated thousands of legacy databases to Oracle. mLogica’s solutions are designed to address the migration of MongoDB to Oracle, offering enhanced JSON handling and strong support for MongoDB workloads within the Oracle environment.

mLogica’s solutions address the complex challenges of migrating legacy and NoSQL databases to modern, enterprise-level systems like Oracle. mLogica solutions provide end-to-end migration support, including schema translation, data mapping, application code conversions, and integration testing, ensuring that businesses can efficiently transition to scalable, secure, and future-proof database environments with minimal disruptions and maximum efficiency.

mLogica’s STAR*M can handle the migration from document databases to Oracle OSON format. Document databases use various query languages that will need to be translated to SQL for Oracle to execute. Most support some form of SQL and additional languages like MongoDB Query Language (MQL). STAR*M can be used to translate these to the equivalent Oracle translation.

mLogica follows an established migration methodology.

Assessments

Using STAR*M, the mLogica team extracts source code and data definitions, generates exception reports, and conducts a thorough review process. A comprehensive assessment of the existing NoSQL environment lays the necessary groundwork. This involves:

In-depth Analysis: Examining each component of the existing document database system, identifying all upstream and downstream applications, identifying dependencies, road mapping an end-to-end migration plan, and identifying potential risks.

Categorization by Complexity: All document databases are identified and then categorized based on size, complexity, suitability for cloud migration, and the scope of changes required.

Database Migrations

STAR*M can automate the process of identifying the field-value pairs in the document databases and generating a corresponding mapping for them in Oracle. Document databases use various query languages that need to be translated to SQL for Oracle to execute. Most support some form of SQL and additional languages like MongoDB Query Language (MQL). STAR*M can be used to translate these to the equivalent Oracle translation.

Data Migrations

Depending on the source & target databases and platforms, mLogica can migrate data by using:

1. Traditional tools like GoldenGate, Informatica, etc.
2. STAR*M suite provides custom agents for custom data extraction and migration.

Application MQL Code Migrations

Application code may need to be modified to work with the new target database. The STAR*M suite provides the flexibility to extract the MQL syntax and convert it to the new SQL-based format as appropriate. This syntax can then be easily integrated back into the application.

Testing

mLogica follows a comprehensive a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) process to ensure the migrated workloads function seamlessly, including:

Unit Testing (UT): This phase precisely tests individual units of the databases, identifying and remediating any defects.

System Integration Testing (SIT): The mLogica team verifies that the migrated components interacted flawlessly and validated data properties to ensure they adhered to the district’s specifications.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Customer end-users participate in UAT testing to verify that the converted programs meet their functional needs and deliver expected outputs.

Go-Live and Post-Migration Support: Upon successfully completing testing, mLogica works with the customer to deploy across development, QA, pre-production, and production environments. mLogica also provides expert post-go-live support, which includes 24/7 managed service and help desk support

Defect Resolution: An escalation-based issue resolution process is established to identify, triage, track, and remediate any user-reported issues arising post-deployment, according to criticality.

By migrating from NoSQL databases, including MongoDB, to Oracle, with mLogica’s AI-powered migration software, organizations can streamline and accelerate the migration process. mLogica's extensive experience and robust methodology in heterogeneous migrations make them a trusted partner in the journey from MongoDB to Oracle. mLogica’s comprehensive approach, from initial assessment to post-migration support, ensures a smooth transition with minimized risks and downtime. Leveraging the power of AI-powered automation, mLogica significantly reduces migration time and error rates, enabling companies to focus on growth and innovation while aligning their IT infrastructures with Oracle’s unparalleled enterprise database capabilities.