Ease of use, accuracy, integrity, efficiency, and security are some characteristics which a good software should have, and when we speak of software products that focus on business users, the scale of expectations increases. Therefore, there remains no room for software functionality mistakes and bluffs; otherwise, the risk of data loss or corruption can surface.
Kernel Migrator for SQL Server claims to migrate both corrupt and healthy SQL server database file(s) to distinct cloud platforms, which I’ve tested carefully, to find out how well it gets the job done.
I’ll walk you through my Kernel Migrator for SQL Server review dwelling the associated benefits and my experience, explaining how well the job of SQL Server database migration went.
Let’s have a look at specifications first:
Supported Versions of MS SQL Server: 2000 to 2017
Processor: Intel Pentium.
RAM: 256 Minimum.
Storage: 50MB
For more info, you can visit the Kernel website.
User Interface
Software should please you not only with its functionality but with looks as well; the User-Interface plays an important role in deciding the level of user acceptance & friendliness; otherwise, it’ll be like any other typical software product.
Kernel’s Migrator for SQL Server boasts of modern UI, and if I compare with what it has to offer, it doesn’t have multiple options which generally turns the look & feel into bulky.
Open, Migrate, and Help are the main options available in the menu bar. Each time you launch the tool, the Select SQL Database window pops on-screen automatically saving your time to reach to the Open option, but in case if you close the window you can reach to the option and launch it again whenever needed.
My Experience
Support is one of the important things which most of the users seek from a software product whether it is for personal use or business use. Kernel tool with its wide support for older software versions eliminates the accessibility gap.
I’ve SQL Server 2017 installed on my system, and I was not hoping that Migrator for SQL Server tool would be supporting this version, but unexpectedly it did, and that’s not all, the tool support all versions of SQL Server ranging from SQL Server 2000 to 2017 – which is the latest version of SQL Server available.
Kernel Migrator for SQL Server is accompanied with the built-in ability to detect the database version, but in case if someone wants to select the same manually, he/she can do so. For me, it did the job automatically.
The tool comes with the feature of Live Preview, which in all senses is quite nice. Once you load the file and the database file scan is complete, it lists all database objects in a tree structure – you can expand or collapse the objects to check what’s inside and click on the object to preview it.
For many, it can be confusing for why does this feature even matter? It matters as it helps you in confirming the data integrity & hierarchy.
For cross-check, I’d tried a demo database file, and you all can see the results below.
At first, I thought of Kernel’s Migrator for SQL Server as a simple tool that serves for the only purpose of database migration to Azure SQL & Amazon RDS with limited functionalities, but after I used it for a while, I was quite surprised to know that I can migrate either all or selected database objects.
From destination database selection to server authentication credentials input, everything is combined and given in unified Migration Options window; no extra efforts are required to first configure the tool with SQL Server and login credentials.
Compatibility
The issue of compatibility sometimes comes as a big question especially for those companies or organizations who are still using an older build of SQL Server for their database needs; there could be many reasons why these organizations practice such habit.
Kernel has done a good job in terms of compatibility; the tool is made wide compatible with a range of Microsoft SQL Server versions form SQL Server version 2000 to 2017.
Pricing & Availability
Kernel Migrator for SQL Server is made available in two distinct product license categories which are Corporate and Technician License. For both the license types, it offers lifetime support, software updates, and 100% money back guarantee.
The Corporate license costs around $149 whereas Technician license costs for $299 including other associated benefits. It’s not proper to suggest you invest your money right after learning what I’ve experienced, and so you can download the free version and check on your own. The trial version is bounded with some limitations but to prove the claims, it can generate Live preview of database objects.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Minimal User-Interface.
- Advanced Scan Mode.
- Compatible with older SQL Server versions.
Live Preview.
Cons
- Cannot migrate database using the Free Trial version.
- Cannot select more than one database file at a time for migration.
Summary
SQL Migration tool is a lightweight tool that doesn’t require high-end hardware to run. It is easy to use too. In my Kernel Migrator for SQL Server review, I’ve shared my experience to let you all better understand how it performs the migration. The free trial version allows you to understand better about what you’ll be getting when you will make the purchase. You too can share your views over the same and ask questions in case of any queries you might have.
Prashanth Jayaram 