Database Configuration

MigratorXpress requires three database connections for migrations: a source database, a target database, and a migration tracking database.

Supported Databases

Source Databases

Target Databases

Migration Tracking Database

Authentication File Format

Create a JSON file containing your database credentials:

{
  "source_oracle": {
    "ds_type": "oracle",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "oracle_user",
      "password": "oracle_password",
      "server": "oracle-server.com",
      "port": 1521,
      "database": "orclpdb1"
    }
  },
  "source_postgres": {
    "ds_type": "postgres",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "postgres",
      "password": "your_password",
      "server": "localhost",
      "port": 5432,
      "database": "production_db"
    }
  },
  "source_mssql": {
    "ds_type": "mssql",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "sa",
      "password": "mssql_password",
      "server": "mssql-server.com",
      "port": 1433,
      "database": "sales_db"
    }
  },
  "source_netezza": {
    "ds_type": "netezza",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "admin",
      "password": "netezza_password",
      "server": "netezza-server.com",
      "port": 5480,
      "database": "system"
    }
  },
  "target_postgres": {
    "ds_type": "postgres",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "postgres",
      "password": "your_password",
      "server": "localhost",
      "port": 5432,
      "database": "target_db"
    }
  },
  "target_mssql": {
    "ds_type": "mssql",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "sa",
      "password": "mssql_password",
      "server": "mssql-target.com",
      "port": 1433,
      "database": "target_db"
    }
  },
  "migration_db": {
    "ds_type": "mssql",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "sa",
      "password": "mssql_password",
      "server": "mssql-server.com",
      "port": 1433,
      "database": "migration_tracking"
    }
  }
}

PostgreSQL Configuration

Connection Parameters

Required Permissions

As Source:

-- Source database user needs:
GRANT SELECT ON ALL TABLES IN SCHEMA public TO migratorxpress_user;
GRANT USAGE ON SCHEMA public TO migratorxpress_user;

As Target:

-- Target database user needs:
GRANT CREATE ON DATABASE target_db TO migratorxpress_user;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON SCHEMA public TO migratorxpress_user;

Example

{
  "postgres_source": {
    "ds_type": "postgres",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "dataexport",
      "password": "SecureP@ssw0rd",
      "server": "pg-prod.company.com",
      "port": 5432,
      "database": "analytics"
    }
  }
}

ODBC Mode

For PostgreSQL connections using ODBC:

{
  "postgres_odbc": {
    "ds_type": "postgres",
    "auth_mode": "odbc",
    "info": {
      "dsn": "PostgreSQL",
      "username": "user",
      "password": "pass"
    }
  }
}

Oracle Configuration

Connection Parameters

Thin vs Thick Mode

Thin Mode (Recommended):

• No client libraries required
• Works with Oracle 12.1 and later
• Omit the lib_dir parameter

Thick Mode:

• Required for Oracle 11.2 and earlier
• Requires Oracle Instant Client
• Specify lib_dir pointing to Instant Client directory

Required Permissions

For optimal FastTransfer performance with parallel RowID-based transfers:

-- Connect as Oracle DBA (e.g., sys as sysdba)
GRANT SELECT_CATALOG_ROLE TO your_username;

This role provides access to:

• Table and column metadata discovery
• RowID range partitioning for parallel transfers
• Optimal transfer method selection

Example: Thin Mode

{
  "oracle_prod": {
    "ds_type": "oracle",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "EXPORT_USER",
      "password": "OracleP@ss",
      "server": "oracle-prod.company.com",
      "port": 1521,
      "database": "PRODPDB"
    }
  }
}

Example: Thick Mode

{
  "oracle_legacy": {
    "ds_type": "oracle",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "LEGACY_USER",
      "password": "OracleP@ss",
      "server": "oracle-11g.company.com",
      "port": 1521,
      "database": "LEGACY",
      "lib_dir": "/opt/oracle/instantclient_19_8"
    }
  }
}

SQL Server Configuration

Connection Parameters

Required Permissions

As Source:

-- Source database user needs:
GRANT SELECT ON SCHEMA::dbo TO migratorxpress_user;
GRANT VIEW DEFINITION ON SCHEMA::dbo TO migratorxpress_user;

As Target:

-- Target database user needs:
GRANT CREATE TABLE ON DATABASE::target_db TO migratorxpress_user;
GRANT ALTER ON SCHEMA::dbo TO migratorxpress_user;
GRANT INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON SCHEMA::dbo TO migratorxpress_user;

As Migration Tracking:

-- Migration database user needs full access:
GRANT CREATE TABLE, ALTER, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, SELECT ON SCHEMA::dbo TO migratorxpress_user;

Example: Classic Authentication

{
  "mssql_prod": {
    "ds_type": "mssql",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "sa",
      "password": "StrongP@ssw0rd",
      "server": "mssql-prod.company.com",
      "port": 1433,
      "database": "SalesDB"
    }
  }
}

Example: Windows Trusted Authentication

{
  "mssql_trusted": {
    "ds_type": "mssql",
    "auth_mode": "odbc",
    "info": {
      "trusted": true,
      "instance": "server.domain.com\\INSTANCE",
      "database": "dbname"
    }
  }
}

Connection String Mode

For advanced scenarios:

{
  "mssql_custom": {
    "ds_type": "mssql",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "connect_string": "mssql+pymssql://user:pass@host:port/database"
    }
  }
}

Netezza Configuration

Connection Parameters

Example

{
  "netezza_source": {
    "ds_type": "netezza",
    "auth_mode": "classic",
    "info": {
      "username": "admin",
      "password": "NetezzaP@ss",
      "server": "netezza.company.com",
      "port": 5480,
      "database": "SYSTEM"
    }
  }
}

Usage Examples

Oracle to PostgreSQL Migration

./MigratorXpress --auth credentials.json \
  --source_db_auth_id source_oracle \
  --source_schema_name SALES \
  --target_db_auth_id target_postgres \
  --target_schema_name sales \
  --migration_db_auth_id migration_db \
  --fasttransfer_dir_path ./FastTransfer_linux-x64/ \
  --task_list translate create transfer diff

SQL Server to PostgreSQL Migration

./MigratorXpress --auth credentials.json \
  --source_db_auth_id source_mssql \
  --source_schema_name dbo \
  --target_db_auth_id target_postgres \
  --target_schema_name public \
  --migration_db_auth_id migration_db \
  --fasttransfer_dir_path ./FastTransfer_linux-x64/ \
  --task_list translate create transfer diff

Netezza to SQL Server Migration

./MigratorXpress --auth credentials.json \
  --source_db_auth_id source_netezza \
  --source_schema_name ADMIN \
  --target_db_auth_id target_mssql \
  --target_schema_name dbo \
  --migration_db_auth_id migration_db \
  --fasttransfer_dir_path ./FastTransfer_linux-x64/ \
  --task_list translate create transfer diff

Troubleshooting

PostgreSQL

Problem: Connection refused

Solution:

• Check PostgreSQL is running: systemctl status postgresql
• Verify pg_hba.conf allows connections from your IP
• Check firewall rules: sudo ufw allow 5432/tcp

Problem: Authentication failed

Solution:

• Verify username and password
• Check password encryption method in pg_hba.conf
• Ensure user exists: SELECT * FROM pg_user WHERE usename='your_user';

Oracle

Problem: ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve the connect identifier

Solution:

• Verify service name is correct
• Check tnsnames.ora configuration
• Use IP address instead of hostname
• Ensure Oracle listener is running

Problem: ORA-28000: the account is locked

Solution:

-- Unlock user account
ALTER USER your_username ACCOUNT UNLOCK;

Problem: Thick mode library not found

Solution:

• Verify lib_dir path is correct
• Check Oracle Instant Client is installed
• Ensure library files have correct permissions
• Set LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable (Linux)

SQL Server

Problem: Login failed for user

Solution:

• Verify SQL Server authentication is enabled (not Windows-only)
• Check user exists and has correct permissions
• Verify password is correct
• Check if user is allowed to connect from your IP

Problem: Cannot open database requested by the login

Solution:

• Verify database name is correct
• Check user has access to the database
• Ensure database is online: SELECT state_desc FROM sys.databases WHERE name='YourDB'

Netezza

Problem: Connection refused

Solution:

• Verify Netezza server is running
• Check port 5480 is accessible
• Verify firewall rules allow connection

Problem: Authentication failed

Solution:

• Verify username and password
• Check user has appropriate permissions
• Ensure database exists and is accessible

Security Best Practices

1. Credential Storage

• Never commit credentials to version control
• Store credentials.json in secure location with restricted permissions:

  chmod 600 credentials.json
  

• Use environment-specific auth files (dev, staging, prod)

2. Least Privilege

• Create dedicated database users for MigratorXpress
• Grant only necessary permissions for each role (source, target, migration)
• Use read-only credentials for source databases

3. Network Security

• Use SSL/TLS connections when possible
• Restrict database access by IP address
• Use VPN or private networks for database connections

4. Password Management

• Use strong passwords (minimum 12 characters, mixed case, numbers, symbols)
• Rotate passwords regularly
• Consider using secret management tools (AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault)

See Also

• Quick Start Guide - Getting started
• CLI Reference - Command-line options
• FastTransfer Configuration - Performance tuning
• Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions