Moving from Synapse Analytics to Fabric

You may wonder, why would do in the first place?

Here are some of the specific reasons why you might want to migrate to Fabric from Synapse Analytics:

• You need to process and analyze large amounts of data.
• You need to scale your data workloads.
• You need more flexibility in how you deploy and manage your data workloads.
• You need a more secure platform for your data.
• You are using features that are not yet available in Synapse Analytics.
• You are not sure if your workloads are compatible with Synapse Analytics.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to migrate to Fabric is a complex one that should be made on a case-by-case basis.

And to better understand what Fabric is all about, check out this article of mine.

Moving from Synapse Analytics to Fabric requires careful planning, evaluation, and execution to ensure a successful transition.

Here are the key steps involved in the process:

1. Assessment and Planning:
   a. Define the reasons for migrating to Fabric, such as better scalability, performance, or functional requirements.
   b. Conduct an assessment of the current Synapse Analytics environment, including data sources, data volumes, and user expectations.
   c. Determine the scope of the migration, identifying which data sources, transformations, and dashboards to move to Fabric.
   d. Create a detailed project plan, timeline, and resource allocation plan.
2. Data Source Integration:
   a. Identify the data sources that need to be integrated with Fabric, such as databases, APIs, files, or streaming data sources.
   b. Design and implement data source connectors or use pre-built connectors available in Fabric.
   c. Ensure data quality, integrity, and security during data transfer.
3. Data Modeling and Schema Design:
   a. Understand the data model and schema used in Synapse Analytics.
   b. Design a compatible data model and schema in Fabric, taking advantage of its columnar storage and distributed architecture.
   c. Map the data fields and relationships between the old and new schemas.
4. Data Transformation and Processing:
   a. Identify the data transformation and processing logic used in Synapse Analytics.
   b. Replicate or recreate the logic in Fabric using its extensive library of transforms and functions.
   c. Optimize the data processing pipeline to take advantage of Fabric’s parallel processing capabilities.
5. Dashboard and Report Migration:
   a. Identify the dashboards and reports created in Synapse Analytics.
   b. Recreate the dashboards and reports in Fabric using its visualization components and layout manager.
   c. Ensure the migrated dashboards and reports match the look and feel of the original versions as closely as possible.
6. User Authentication and Authorization:
   a. Integrate Fabric with the organization’s identity and access management system.
   b. Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict access to sensitive data and assets.
7. Testing and Quality Assurance:
   a. Perform thorough testing of the migrated data sources, data transformations, and dashboards.
   b. Validate data accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
   c. Conduct performance benchmarking to ensure Fabric meets the desired performance criteria.
8. Deployment and Rollback Strategy:
   a. Develop a deployment strategy that minimizes downtime and impact on end-users.
   b. Set up a test environment that mirrors the production environment to validate the migration before deploying it to production.
   c. Establish a rollback plan in case of unexpected issues or errors during the migration process.
9. Training and Adoption:
   a. Provide training and documentation to end-users on the new Fabric environment.
   b. Offer technical support and assistance during the adoption phase.
   c. Monitor user feedback and address any concerns or issues promptly.
10. Post-Migration Support and Maintenance:
    a. Continuously monitor the Fabric environment for potential issues or errors.
    b. Perform regular backups and restores to ensure data availability and protection.
    c. Keep the Fabric software and plugins up-to-date with the latest releases and patches.
    d. Troubleshoot and resolve any issues arising from the migration.