Sharding: Migration
When it's time to move on to a sharded database, data can be migrated from the existing database to the new one in several ways.
- The data can be exported from the original database into a RavenDB dump file and then imported from the file into the new sharded database.
- Import can also be used with backups prepared for non-sharded databases, to add their contents into an existing sharded database.
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An external replication task can maintain a live replica of a non-sharded database on a sharded destination database, as backup or as part of a gradual deployment of the replica.
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In this page:
Export & Import
Export is a one-time operation that dumps the current contents
of the database into a .ravendbdump
file.
The exported dump file of either a sharded or a non-sharded database
can then be imported into
a sharded database, that will distribute the data between its shard.
- Exporting can be done via code or Studio.
- Importing can be done via code or Studio.
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Read about export and import in a sharded database here.
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Data can also be imported from backup files.
A backup of a non-sharded database can be imported into an existing sharded database.
The imported data will be added to the sharded database and distributed between the shards.
Note that this opposes restoring a non-sharded database, which can only create a new non-sharded database but not create a sharded database or add its data to an existing database.
Backup
RavenDB backups are periodic operations, implemented by ongoing tasks that routinely save either a full copy of the database or an incremental delta of data changes made since the last backup.
To migrate data from a non-sharded database to a sharded one, backup files made for a non-sharded database can be imported into a new or an existing sharded database.
A backup created for a non-sharded database cannot be
restored as a sharded database.
The data can be migrated into a sharded database only by importing it.
External Replication
External replication
is an ongoing task that keeps a live replica of its database's data
on another database.
The task keeps the two databases in sync by updating the destination
database with any deletion, addition, or modification made in the
origin database's data.
An external replication task can run on a non-sharded database,
and create a live replica of its data on a sharded database.
The destination (sharded) database will distribute incoming data
among its shards.
The sharded database can be kept and tested in a controlled environment
as long as necessary, as the original database keeps on serving its users.
When all is ready, the new database can be moved into production.
A live replica created using external replication includes all documents
and document extensions, but not server and cluster level features like
indexes and compare exchange entries. Find the full list here.