Hybrid Bridge – Accelerate Oracle-to-MariaDB Migrations with Zero Downtime

Summary:
MaxScale, MariaDB’s intelligent database proxy, now extends support to Oracle databases, empowering enterprises to migrate from Oracle to MariaDB with minimal risk and disruption. By enabling a hybrid Oracle-MariaDB architecture, MaxScale acts as a strategic bridge, allowing organizations to modernize their data infrastructure incrementally while maintaining bidirectional connectivity between legacy and modern systems.

Problem Statement:
Migrating from Oracle to MariaDB is fraught with challenges:

• High Risk of Downtime: "Big bang" migrations disrupt operations and risk data loss.
• Application Lock-In: Oracle-specific SQL and PL/SQL code often ties applications to legacy systems.
• Costly Licensing: Prolonged parallel operation of Oracle and MariaDB during migration drives up expenses.

Enterprises need a way to phase out Oracle gradually while keeping applications running smoothly during and after migration.

Proposed Solution:
MaxScale Hybrid Bridge introduces native Oracle connectivity, enabling:

1. Phased Migration: Run Oracle and MariaDB side-by-side, shifting workloads incrementally.
2. Bidirectional Query Routing: Let applications interact with both databases simultaneously via a single proxy.
3. Legacy Compatibility: Minimize code rewrites by translating Oracle-specific queries to MariaDB syntax.

Key Features:

1. Oracle-to-MariaDB Migration Mode:
   • Traffic Shadowing: Mirror Oracle queries to MariaDB in real time to validate compatibility.
   • Dual-Write Support: Write data to both databases during cutover to ensure consistency.
2. Hybrid Query Engine:
   • Smart Routing: Direct read/write traffic to Oracle or MariaDB based on table ownership (e.g., route orders_2024 to MariaDB, orders_legacy to Oracle).
3. Unified Data Layer:
   • Real-Time Replication Sync: Use MaxScale as a control plane to replicate changes bidirectionally between databases during migration of workloads.
4. Migration Dashboard:
   1. Track progress with metrics like "% Queries Shifted to MariaDB" and "Oracle License Savings."