Arabam.com

Modernising a SQL Server platform for higher availability

Arabam.com worked with Deka Technology to modernise its SQL Server 2016 and Windows Server 2016 environment with SQL Server 2019 Always On on Windows Server 2019. The project combined assessment, hardware renewal, migration and disaster-recovery testing.

Primary service
Software Engineering & Modernization
Secondary capabilities
  • Database modernization

Project overview

Client
Arabam.com
Project focus
Database platform modernisation and high availability
Starting point
Three-node SQL Server 2016 environment on Windows Server 2016
Target platform
SQL Server 2019 Always On on Windows Server 2019
Migration scope
Workload and dependency assessment, hardware setup, data migration and validation
Resilience work
Synchronous replication, failover tests and disaster-recovery drills

Challenge

Arabam.com's existing three-node database environment was based on SQL Server 2016 and Windows Server 2016. Modernising the platform required more than a version upgrade: workloads, dependencies and compatibility had to be assessed before the database estate could move to new hardware and a new availability architecture.

The migration also had to address resilience. The target environment needed synchronous replication, tested failover behaviour and a recovery approach that reduced exposure to data loss if a server failed.

Deka Technology role

Deka Technology assessed the workloads, dependencies and compatibility requirements of the existing environment. The team supported the new hardware setup, implemented a three-node SQL Server 2019 Always On availability group and carried out the migration using backup and restore processes together with log shipping.

The engagement also included failover tests and disaster-recovery drills to validate the behaviour of the modernised environment under recovery scenarios.

Approach

  1. Assess the existing estate

    Workloads, dependencies and compatibility requirements were reviewed across the three-node SQL Server 2016 environment.

  2. Prepare the target platform

    New hardware and Windows Server 2019 infrastructure were set up for the modernised database architecture.

  3. Implement high availability

    A three-node SQL Server 2019 Always On availability group was configured with synchronous data replication.

  4. Migrate the database workloads

    Backup and restore procedures, supported by log shipping, were used to move data into the target environment.

  5. Validate resilience

    Failover testing and disaster-recovery drills were performed to assess recovery behaviour and operational readiness.

Outcomes

The database platform moved from SQL Server 2016 and Windows Server 2016 to supported 2019 versions.

The three-node Always On architecture strengthened the availability design.

Synchronous replication reduced the risk of data loss in a server-failure scenario.

The hardware and platform refresh increased performance capacity.

The modernised environment gained access to supported-platform security updates.

Failover and disaster-recovery capabilities were tested as part of the engagement.

The project strengthened the technical foundation for availability and recovery through a supported platform, synchronous replication and tested failover and disaster-recovery capabilities.

Evidence note: The archived case source supports the platform versions, three-node scope, migration methods and recovery-testing scope. It does not provide an approved uptime, downtime or performance metric.

Technology

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2019
  • SQL Server Always On Availability Groups
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Synchronous replication
  • Backup and restore
  • Log shipping

Deka Technology

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