In our last issue, we introduced the expanded Mimer SQL Rdb Migration Toolkit and the new step-by-step cookbook for migrating Oracle Rdb databases to Mimer SQL. This issue takes a closer look at the broader context of Oracle Rdb migration—and why Mimer SQL continues to stand out as the natural choice for organisations that want to modernise their database while keeping their investment in OpenVMS.

The Oracle Rdb migration landscape

As Oracle Rdb end-of-life planning becomes a practical reality for many organisations, the question is no longer whether to migrate, but where to migrate to. Options exist across the spectrum—from moving off-platform entirely to PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or Oracle RDBMS on Linux, to staying on OpenVMS and replacing Rdb with a modern, natively supported database.

VSI (VMS Software, Inc.), the steward of the OpenVMS platform, has taken an active role in helping customers navigate this decision. Their dedicated migration resource at migration.vmssoftware.com/rdb provides an overview of supported migration paths, practical tools, and guidance for planning the move. It is a valuable starting point for any organisation beginning to assess its options.

VSI has also published a detailed technical white paper—"Oracle Rdb Migrations – Assets and Solutions Overview"—which surveys the tools, partner solutions, and migration approaches available today. You can read it here: events.vmssoftware.com/hubfs/Oracle Rdb Migrations Whitepaper.pdf

Mimer SQL: VSI's recommended on-platform option

In both of these VSI resources, Mimer SQL is singled out as the recommended database for customers who want to remain on OpenVMS. The white paper describes Mimer as "a well-proven high-quality database solution for VSI OpenVMS" and notes that it was the first commercial database to be ported and supported on VSI OpenVMS x86-64. It goes on to highlight that Mimer has invested considerably in Oracle Rdb compatibility features—including support for Rdb-specific datatypes, syntactical constructs, and modular SQL compilation—and concludes that "for those customers wanting to replace Oracle Rdb and keep the database on VSI OpenVMS, there is no question that Mimer is an excellent option."

We are proud of this recognition. It reflects years of close collaboration with the OpenVMS community and a sustained commitment to making Mimer SQL a genuinely capable replacement for Oracle Rdb—not just a technically viable one.

What this means in practice

For organisations weighing an off-platform migration against staying on OpenVMS, the decision involves significant trade-offs: application re-architecture, platform re-certification, potential loss of OpenVMS-specific capabilities, and in many cases considerable project risk and cost. Staying on OpenVMS with Mimer SQL avoids most of these complications.

Mimer SQL is available for both IA-64 and x86-64, meaning it supports both current-generation and next-generation OpenVMS environments. It is the only production-ready relational database available on OpenVMS for x86-64, and it comes with full commercial support, a stable long-term development roadmap, and a growing set of migration tools specifically designed for the Rdb transition.

Tools to get you started

The Mimer SQL Rdb Migration Toolkit, available on GitHub at github.com/mimersql/mimersql-rdb-migration, now supports direct data migration from Oracle Rdb into Mimer SQL via a Java-based migration program—removing the need for intermediate RMU export steps in many cases.

For a practical walkthrough, our step-by-step migration cookbook guides you through migrating the Oracle Rdb sample database MF_PERSONNEL into Mimer SQL: developer.mimer.com/rdb-migration-cookbook

For a comprehensive treatment of the full migration process, the "Mimer SQL Migration Guide from Oracle" covers concepts, considerations, and schema translation in depth: docs.mimer.com/MimerWhitePapers/rdb_to_mimer_migration.pdf

Ready to explore your options?

Whether you are in early planning, actively evaluating alternatives, or ready to start a migration project, we are here to help. Reach out to us at sales@mimer.com with any questions—or simply to talk through your situation.

Mimer SQL Insights is published by Mimer Information Technology AB.