SSMA for Sybase: Frequently Asked Questions

Published: June 12, 2006

Learn more about using SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Sybase by reading this frequently asked questions page.

What is SSMA for Sybase?

SSMA for Sybase defines and automates all of the major steps in the database migration process. SSMA provides comprehensive assessment reports, one-click conversion of all schema and data, one-click conversion of almost all database-resident business logic, and one-click migration of data. All of these capabilities are made available from within a single migration tool.

What is the purpose of SSMA for Sybase PowerBuilder Applications tool?

SSMA for Sybase PowerBuilder Applications checks PowerBuilder objects primarily intended for the use with Sybase ASE for compatibility with SQL Server 2005. This assistant can read the PowerBuilder PBT or PBL files of version 7.0 or later up to 11.0 and analyze various PowerBuilder features like transaction objects, DataWindow, embedded SQL, data pipelines and dynamic SQL. The report generated by SSMA for Sybase PowerBuilder Applications includes an assessment of possible migration issues, recommended solutions for them, and estimations of conversion complexity together with the time needed to complete the migration.

What is an assessment report?

Assessment reports provide quantitative and qualitative assessment. The set of reports provided by the platform allows the user, project manager, or decision-maker to evaluate the project complexity, size, and cost. The statistics provided by an assessment report include the total number of database objects, lines of code, estimated conversion complexity, and estimated amount of manual work. You can view these statistics through SSMA for Sybase, or view an HTML report to see areas of conversion difficulties. See the SSMA for Sybase product documentation for more information on how to create assessment reports.

What objects can be converted with SSMA for Sybase?

With a single click, SSMA for Sybase converts all database objects including stored procedures, functions, triggers and views. SSMA for Sybase also provides context–sensitive warnings and output messages.

What is the SSMA Extension Pack?

The SSMA for Sybase extension pack is a run-time library that emulates Sybase system functions. This run-time library, which you install on SQL Server 2005, consists of SQL Server versions of Sybase system functions, such as CHAR_LENGTH, CURRENT_DATE and DATALENGTH.

What are the system requirements for SSMA for Sybase?

The SSMA for Sybase client has the following requirements:

•	Windows XP SP2 or later versions, or Windows Server 2003 SP1 or later versions.
•	The Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 or later. The .NET Framework version 2.0 is available on the SQL Server 2005 product media. You can also obtain it from the .NET Framework Developer Center.
•	The J# redistributable package, which is also available from the .NET Framework Developer Center.
•	The Sybase OLE DB provider and connectivity to the Sybase ASE database server that contains the databases you want to migrate. You can install providers from the Sybase ASE product media.
•	The ability to access the computer that hosts the target instance of SQL Server 2005.
•	1 GB memory.
•	SSMA for Sybase supports Sybase ASE versions 11.9.2 and higher.

The SSMA for Sybase extension pack, which you install on the computer that hosts SQL Server 2005, requires the following:

•	SQL Server 2005.
•	Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 or later.
•	The Sybase OLE DB provider or Sybase ADO.NET provider and connectivity to the Sybase ASE database server that contains the databases you want to migrate. You can install providers from the Sybase ASE product media.

What versions of SQL Server are supported by SSMA for Sybase?

SQL Server 2005.

How can I scope my migration project?

Create an assessment report and then send the results to syb2sql@microsoft.com.

How do I create an assessment report?

To create an assessment report, perform the following steps:

1.	Connect to the Sybase ASE server that contains the database you want to migrate.
2.	Connect to the instance of SQL Server that contains the target database. This is not a necessary step but it is helpful.
3.	In the Sybase Metadata Explorer, select the schema you want to assess.
4.	Right-click Databases and select Create Report. Be aware that the report may take a long time to complete because it is actually converting the entire schema to SQL Server syntax. Upon completion, you will get a visual report with multiple statistics. The report is saved into the Report subdirectory of the current project as a set of HTML files. You can view it separately from SSMA for Sybase using Internet Explorer 6.0 or later.

How do I get started with SSMA for Sybase?

Start by creating an assessment report. It produces reports based on trying to automatically convert each of the Sybase objects. Based on these reports you can see which objects have to be converted manually and which statements require manual intervention. You will also get an estimate of the complexity of manual conversion. After you finish assessing the potential migration issues, you can start converting objects.

What are the primary features of SSMA for Sybase?

The following are some key features of SSMA for Sybase:

•	SSMA for Sybase provides you with the ability to convert all objects at once or convert them one at a time. Additionally, you can move the data on a per-table basis, or all tables at once.
•	The converted objects do not move into the SQL Server database directly, but are stored in a local workspace, so that you can continue working on your conversion project without being connected to the database.

How can I get help while using SSMA for Sybase?

For all technical questions, send an e-mail to syb2sql@microsoft.com.

What is the difference between SSMA for Sybase version 1.2 and SSMA for Sybase version 4?

SSMA for Sybase version 4 supports a broader range of non-standard Sybase queries and can work with SQL Server 2008 as the target server. Windows Vista and 64-bit environment are also supported. This new SSMA is able to manage the definitions of temporary tables used in Transact-SQL code, and a new feature named SSMA Tester allows verification of the migration result.

Q.
A.

Top of page