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Migration Framework for Firebird (Vendor: IBSurgeon)

The Migration Framework is a comprehensive tool designed to automate the migration of Firebird databases between different versions. It performs the complete backup/restore process, recompiles objects, and adapts them to the new version, eliminating the need for manual database administration during migration.

Key Features

Automated Migration Process

The framework converts Firebird/HQBird databases to the desired version through an automated six-step process:

1. Execute pre-migration scripts
2. Upgrade databases through backup/restore
3. Upgrade database dialect
4. Replace double quotes for dialect 3 compatibility
5. Execute post-migration scripts
6. Recompile all database objects

Platform Compatibility

Compatible with Windows operating systems and can run separately or integrated with HQBird v2024. Linux support is approved for Ubuntu 22 and above.

Version Support

Supports migration between Firebird versions 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0. Can handle databases files (usual extension .FDB) and backup files (FBK).

Batch Processing

Processes multiple databases simultaneously in a single migration run. Successfully migrated databases are automatically moved to designated "OK" folders for easy identification.

Script Execution

Supports custom SQL scripts execution before and after migration:

• Pre-scripts: Execute before backup on source databases
• Post-scripts: Execute after restore but before recompilation
• Selective execution: Scripts can target specific databases using database name declarations
• Alphabetical ordering: Scripts execute in alphabetical order for predictable sequence

Object Recompilation

Automatically recompiles (recreates) all database objects (procedures, triggers, functions) to ensure compatibility with the target version. Identifies and reports syntax errors that require manual correction.

Dialect Migration

Handles migration from Firebird dialect 1 to dialect 3, including:

• Automatic correction of current_date to localtimestamp usage
• Optional replacement of double quotes with single quotes in PSQL code

Security Database Migration

Special handling for security database migration from Firebird 2.5 to 3.0+ with new SRP authentication method. Automatically generates new passwords for users (original passwords cannot be recovered).

Performance Options

When using HQBird binaries or Firebird 5.0+, supports multi-threaded backup and restore operations using the "-par N" parameter to specify the number of CPU cores to utilize.

UDF Support

Handles User Defined Functions (UDFs) during migration. Requires 64-bit UDF libraries for compatibility with the 64-bit distributed binaries.

Logging

Generates detailed logs for the entire migration process:

• Individual backup logs for each database
• Individual restore logs for each database
• Complete migration process log (migra.log)
• Error identification with searchable tags (#ERROR# or #ERRO#)
• Recompilation results and summary reports

Installation Options

HQBird Integration

Can be installed in C:\HQBird\Migr to use existing HQBird Firebird binaries. Both source and target versions must be installed via HQBird.

Standalone Installation

Can be installed separately in C:\Migrate or /opt/migrate with embedded Firebird binaries included in the FB folder structure.

Configuration

All settings are managed through a conf.ini configuration file with sections for:

• Authentication: Database user credentials (typically SYSDBA)
• Parameters: Migration process control flags
• Charset settings: Character set configuration for scripts and connections
• Backup/Restore options: Custom gbak parameters
• Version specification: Source and target Firebird versions
• Language settings: Brazilian Portuguese or English interface

Folder Structure

• IN: Source database files (.FDB or .FBK)
• OUT: Converted database files
• IN/OK and OUT/OK: Successfully migrated databases
• SCRIPTS/PRE: Pre-migration SQL scripts
• SCRIPTS/POS: Post-migration SQL scripts
• FB: Embedded Firebird binaries (standalone installation)

Licensing

The framework allows a limited number of free conversions for evaluation. Full licensing is available for purchase, with registration handled automatically after first purchase. Updates are checked automatically and available through the official website.

Basic Usage Steps

1. Download and install the application
2. Add source databases to the "IN" subfolder
3. Configure settings in conf.ini file
4. Run the Migrate.exe executable
5. Analyze generated logs
6. Retrieve successfully converted databases from "/OUT/OK" folder

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