Azure Database for MySQL is a fully managed relational database service built on the MySQL Community Edition. Migrating from Azure Database for MySQL to Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL offers predictable pricing, automated backups, and seamless integration with Vultr's global infrastructure. Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL provides a cost-effective solution with a developer-friendly interface, allowing you to focus on building applications rather than managing database infrastructure.

This guide explains how to migrate your Azure Database for MySQL to Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL with minimal downtime. You will configure network access, back up your source database, transfer your data, and verify the migration before cutting over applications.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you need to:

• Have access to an existing Azure Database for MySQL - Flexible Server.
• Provision a Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL cluster with the same MySQL version and a similar or higher size as your source Azure database.
• Install MySQL Workbench or the mysql client tool on your workstation.

Allow Network Connections to the Source Azure Database for MySQL

Azure Database for MySQL uses firewall rules to restrict access by default. Configure firewall rules to allow connections from your management workstation and the Vultr migration service.

1. Log in to the Azure Portal.

2. Navigate to Azure Database for MySQL flexible servers and select your target server.

3. In the left menu, click Networking under Settings.

4. Under Firewall rules, click Add current client IP address to allow your workstation.

5. To allow unrestricted access during migration, add a rule with:

   • Rule name: AllowAll
   • Start IP address: 0.0.0.0
   • End IP address: 255.255.255.255

6. Click Save to apply the firewall rules.

   Note

   Remove the AllowAll rule after completing the migration for security purposes.

7. Verify the connection details on the Overview page. Note the Server name (hostname) which typically follows the format YOUR-SERVER.mysql.database.azure.com.

Back Up the Source Azure Database for MySQL

Create a backup of your Azure database before migration to ensure you have a recovery option in case of errors.

1. Connect to your Azure Database for MySQL using the mysql client. Replace YOUR-SERVER with your server name and YOUR-USERNAME with your admin username.

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   $ mysql -h YOUR-SERVER.mysql.database.azure.com -u YOUR-USERNAME -p
   

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   Enter your password when prompted.

2. List all databases to identify which ones to migrate.

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   mysql> SHOW DATABASES;
   

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   Your output should be similar to the one below:

   +--------------------+
   | Database           |
   +--------------------+
   | information_schema |
   | mysql              |
   | performance_schema |
   | sys                |
   | webapp_production  |
   | analytics_db       |
   +--------------------+
   6 rows in set (0.12 sec)

3. Exit the MySQL console.

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   mysql> EXIT;
   

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4. Back up all databases to a single file. Replace YOUR-SERVER and YOUR-USERNAME with your Azure credentials.

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   $ mysqldump -h YOUR-SERVER.mysql.database.azure.com \
       -u YOUR-USERNAME -p --all-databases \
       --set-gtid-purged=OFF --single-transaction \
       --triggers --routines > azure_all_databases.sql
   

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   To back up a specific database:

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   $ mysqldump -h YOUR-SERVER.mysql.database.azure.com \
       -u YOUR-USERNAME -p webapp_production \
       --set-gtid-purged=OFF --single-transaction \
       --triggers --routines > webapp_production.sql
   

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   The --set-gtid-purged=OFF option prevents MySQL from including Global Transaction Identifiers in the backup, avoiding conflicts when importing to Vultr.

5. Verify the backup file exists.

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   $ ls -lh azure_all_databases.sql
   

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6. Compress the backup for faster transfer.

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   $ gzip azure_all_databases.sql
   

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Migrate Azure Database for MySQL to Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL

You can migrate your databases using live replication through the Vultr Customer Portal, MySQL Workbench, or backup restoration with mysqldump. Choose the method that best fits your requirements.

1. Log in to the Vultr Customer Portal.

2. Click Products and select Databases.

3. Click your target Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL cluster to open its management page.

4. Verify the connection credentials in the Connection Details section.

   

Test the Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL

Verify that all data migrated correctly before cutting over applications.

1. Log in to your Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL cluster.

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   $ mysql -h VULTR-DATABASE-HOST -P VULTR-DATABASE-PORT -u vultradmin -p
   

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2. Check the MySQL version matches your source Azure database.

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   mysql> SELECT @@version;
   

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   Output:

   +-----------+
   | @@version |
   +-----------+
   | 8.0.35    |
   +-----------+
   1 row in set (0.10 sec)

3. List all databases and verify your Azure databases are present.

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   mysql> SHOW DATABASES;
   

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   Output:

   +--------------------+
   | Database           |
   +--------------------+
   | defaultdb          |
   | information_schema |
   | mysql              |
   | performance_schema |
   | sys                |
   | webapp_production  |
   | analytics_db       |
   +--------------------+
   7 rows in set (0.08 sec)

4. Switch to a migrated database.

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   mysql> USE webapp_production;
   

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5. List tables and verify the schema structure.

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   mysql> SHOW TABLES;
   

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   Output:

   +---------------------------+
   | Tables_in_webapp_production |
   +---------------------------+
   | users                     |
   | orders                    |
   | products                  |
   +---------------------------+
   3 rows in set (0.05 sec)

6. Compare row counts with your source database.

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   mysql> SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users;
   

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   Output:

   +----------+
   | COUNT(*) |
   +----------+
   |    15000 |
   +----------+
   1 row in set (0.03 sec)

7. Exit the MySQL console.

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   mysql> EXIT;
   

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Cutover to Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL

After verifying the migration, update your applications to connect to the Vultr database.

Update WordPress Applications

1. Navigate to your WordPress installation directory.

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   $ cd /path/to/wordpress/
   

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2. Back up the configuration file.

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   $ sudo cp wp-config.php wp-config.php.backup
   

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3. Open the configuration file.

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   $ sudo nano wp-config.php
   

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4. Update the database connection settings with your Vultr credentials.

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   /** The name of the database for WordPress */
   define('DB_NAME', 'webapp_production');
   
   /** MySQL database username */
   define('DB_USER', 'vultradmin');
   
   /** MySQL database password */
   define('DB_PASSWORD', 'YOUR-VULTR-PASSWORD');
   
   /** MySQL hostname */
   define('DB_HOST', 'VULTR-DATABASE-HOST:VULTR-DATABASE-PORT');
   

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   Save and close the file.

5. Restart your web server.

   • Apache on Debian/Ubuntu:

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     $ sudo systemctl restart apache2
     

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   • Apache on RHEL/CentOS:

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     $ sudo systemctl restart httpd
     

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   • Nginx:

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     $ sudo systemctl restart nginx
     

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Update Docker Applications

1. Open your Docker Compose file.

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   $ nano docker-compose.yml
   

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2. Update the database environment variables.

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   services:
     app:
       environment:
         MYSQL_HOST: "VULTR-DATABASE-HOST"
         MYSQL_PORT: "VULTR-DATABASE-PORT"
         MYSQL_USER: "vultradmin"
         MYSQL_PASSWORD: "YOUR-VULTR-PASSWORD"
         MYSQL_DATABASE: "webapp_production"
   

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   Save and close the file.

3. Restart the containers.

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   $ docker compose down
   $ docker compose up -d
   

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Conclusion

You have migrated your Azure Database for MySQL to Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL. This guide covered configuring network access, backing up your source database, transferring data using the Vultr Customer Portal, MySQL Workbench, or mysqldump, and verifying the migration. Your applications now benefit from Vultr's predictable pricing and global infrastructure. For more information on managing your Vultr Managed Databases for MySQL cluster, visit the product documentation.