Database Migration Summary

Overview

QuintoAndar successfully migrated their Metabase analytics database from MySQL to PostgreSQL to enhance performance and simplify infrastructure management.

Key Components

• Schema migration utilizing Metabase's Liquibase utility
• Data transfer using PgLoader tool
• Management of data integrity and constraints

Process Highlights

1. Planning Phase

   • Tool evaluation (PgLoader selected over AWS DMS)
   • Issue identification and script preparation
   • Test environment setup

2. Execution

   • Controlled service shutdown
   • Schema migration via Liquibase
   • Data transfer through PgLoader
   • System restart and verification

Technical Challenges

• JVM Heap Space: Resolved through segmented loading of large tables
• Data Integrity: Addressed null constraint violations
• Schema Differences: Managed MySQL/PostgreSQL compatibility issues

Key Outcomes

• Successful standardization of database platform
• Improved analytics infrastructure
• Better isolation of performance metrics

Lessons Learned

• PgLoader demonstrated superior handling of object dependencies
• Separated schema and data migration proved effective
• Comprehensive rollback planning was crucial
• Planned downtime approach was suitable for the use case

The migration successfully achieved its objectives while establishing a more robust and maintainable analytics infrastructure.