MySQL to Amazon Aurora Migration Guide
Complete guide for migrating MySQL to Amazon Aurora. Learn migration paths, performance optimization, and how to leverage Aurora's 5x performance advantage.
What is Amazon Aurora?
Amazon Aurora is a MySQL and PostgreSQL-compatible relational database built for the cloud. It delivers up to 5x the throughput of standard MySQL with the security, availability, and reliability of commercial databases at 1/10th the cost. Aurora automatically scales storage up to 128TB and provides 99.99% availability.
Why Migrate to Amazon Aurora?
5x Performance
Aurora delivers up to 5x the throughput of standard MySQL on the same hardware with optimized storage and caching.
Auto-Scaling Storage
Storage automatically grows from 10GB to 128TB in 10GB increments. No downtime or performance impact.
99.99% Availability
Six-way replication across three Availability Zones with automatic failover in under 30 seconds.
6-Step MySQL to Aurora Migration Process
Pre-Migration Assessment
Analyze MySQL database and plan Aurora migration strategy.
- Check MySQL version compatibility (5.6, 5.7, 8.0)
- Assess database size and growth patterns
- Identify custom MySQL features and extensions
- Estimate Aurora instance size and costs
Aurora Cluster Setup
Provision Aurora cluster with appropriate configuration and security settings.
- Create Aurora MySQL cluster in target region
- Configure VPC, subnets, and security groups
- Set up parameter groups for MySQL compatibility
- Enable encryption, backups, and monitoring
Schema Migration
Migrate database schema from MySQL to Aurora with compatibility checks.
- Export MySQL schema using mysqldump
- Review and adjust for Aurora-specific optimizations
- Create tables, indexes, and constraints in Aurora
- Migrate stored procedures, functions, and triggers
Data Migration
Transfer data from MySQL to Aurora using optimal migration method.
- Use AWS DMS for continuous replication
- Or use mysqldump/mysqlimport for one-time migration
- Or use Aurora cloning for RDS MySQL sources
- Monitor migration progress and handle errors
Testing & Optimization
Validate data accuracy and optimize Aurora performance for production workload.
- Perform data validation and reconciliation
- Run application tests against Aurora
- Optimize queries for Aurora's query optimizer
- Configure read replicas for scaling
Cutover & Monitoring
Execute final cutover to Aurora and monitor performance metrics.
- Perform final data sync
- Update application connection strings
- Monitor Aurora performance metrics
- Optimize based on CloudWatch insights
Aurora Migration Methods Comparison
Choose the best migration method based on your requirements
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
RecommendedContinuous replication with minimal downtime. Best for production databases requiring near-zero downtime.
Aurora Cloning (RDS MySQL only)
Fast, cost-effective cloning for RDS MySQL sources. Creates Aurora cluster in minutes.
mysqldump / mysqlimport
Traditional dump and restore method. Simple but requires downtime for large databases.
MySQL vs Aurora Performance
Real-world performance benchmarks (same hardware configuration)
Standard MySQL
- Read Throughput10,000 queries/sec
- Write Throughput5,000 queries/sec
- Replication Lag2-5 seconds
- Failover Time60-120 seconds
Amazon Aurora
5x Faster- Read Throughput50,000+ queries/sec
- Write Throughput25,000+ queries/sec
- Replication Lag<100ms
- Failover Time<30 seconds
AI-Powered vs Manual Aurora Migration
| Feature | DataMigration.AI | Manual Migration |
|---|---|---|
| Migration Planning | AI-recommended strategy | Manual analysis (2-3 days) |
| Schema Optimization | Aurora-specific optimizations | Direct schema copy |
| Data Migration Speed | 300GB in 2-3 hours | 300GB in 8-12 hours |
| Downtime | Near-zero with DMS | 4-8 hours typical |
| Performance Tuning | AI-optimized for Aurora | Manual query optimization |
| Validation | 100% automated verification | Sample-based validation |
| Total Timeline | 1-2 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Cost Optimization | Right-sized instance selection | Often over-provisioned |