Cassandra Data Migration from Production to Test server High Level Step by Step Guide | 2023

Migrating data from a Cassandra production server to a Cassandra test server involves several steps, and the specific commands may vary depending on your environment and requirements. Here’s a general guideline with example commands:

1. Backup Data:

On the production server, take a snapshot of your data

nodetool snapshot -t my_migration_snapshot keyspace_name

2. Copy Snapshot:

Copy the snapshot files to the test server. You can use rsync, scp, or any file transfer method you prefer

# Example using scp
scp -r /path/to/snapshots/ user@test_server_ip:/path/to/snapshots/

3. Restore Snapshot:

On the test server, restore the snapshot:

nodetool refresh keyspace_name column_family_name

4. Transfer Schema:

Export the schema from the production server:

cqlsh -e "DESCRIBE KEYSPACE keyspace_name" > schema.cql

Import the schema on the test server:

cqlsh -f schema.cql

5. Verify Data:

Check the data on the test server to ensure it matches the production data. You can use CQL queries or other verification methods.

6. Testing:

Perform extensive testing on the test server to ensure the application behaves correctly with the migrated data.

7. Switch DNS or Configuration:

Update DNS records or reconfigure your application to point to the test server for testing purposes.

8. Monitoring:

Monitor the test server for performance and any issues that might arise during testing.

9. Rollback Plan:

Always have a rollback plan in case something goes wrong during the migration or testing phase. This includes the ability to switch back to the production server.

10. Validation and Production Migration:

If testing is successful, and you’re confident in the test environment’s stability, you can consider migrating the changes to production, following a similar process in reverse.

Please note that this is a simplified example, and the exact commands and steps may vary depending on your Cassandra setup, data volume, and specific requirements. Additionally, it’s essential to involve your database administrators and follow best practices for data migration and backup procedures in your organization to ensure a smooth transition.