Oracle to DynamoDB Migration Guide: Real-Time CDC with Estuary

Introduction: Oracle to DynamoDB Migration

Oracle Database powers many enterprise systems, but its licensing costs, complexity, and rigid schema make it difficult to scale modern applications. Amazon DynamoDB, on the other hand, is a fully managed NoSQL database on AWS known for flexibility, predictable performance, and serverless scalability.

Enterprises exploring Oracle to DynamoDB migration often face challenges like schema mismatches, high-volume data transfer, and the need for real-time sync. This guide explains the key differences between Oracle and DynamoDB, common migration challenges, and practical methods to move your data. You will also see a step-by-step tutorial on Oracle to DynamoDB migration using Estuary Flow, a no-code platform with real-time change data capture (CDC).

👉 If you are searching for the best tool for Oracle to DynamoDB migration, you will find your answers here.

Challenges in Oracle to DynamoDB Migration

Migrating data from Oracle to DynamoDB is not as straightforward as moving between two relational databases. Enterprises often encounter technical and operational hurdles that can slow down projects or impact business continuity. Understanding these challenges is critical before selecting a migration approach.

1. Complex Oracle Extraction

Oracle’s architecture was not built for easy data movement. Capturing changes requires LogMiner configuration, supplemental logging, and specialized user permissions. Without the right setup, migration pipelines may either miss updates or overload the database.

2. Schema Mismatch

Oracle uses rigid relational schemas, while DynamoDB is a flexible NoSQL database. Migrating from Oracle tables with primary keys and relationships into DynamoDB’s partition keys and sort keys requires careful mapping. Poor design can lead to inefficient queries, hot partitions, or exceeding DynamoDB’s 400 KB item size limit.

3. Large Data Volumes

Enterprises often manage terabytes of Oracle data spread across hundreds of tables. A one-time bulk load may cause downtime or overwhelm DynamoDB. Maintaining real-time synchronization during and after the bulk migration is essential to avoid data loss or inconsistencies.

4. Real-Time Synchronization

Batch jobs are not sufficient for modern workloads that demand real-time Oracle to DynamoDB replication. Without a continuous CDC pipeline, DynamoDB data quickly becomes stale, making analytics and applications unreliable.

5. Security and Compliance

Enterprise data often contains sensitive information. Migrating across on-prem Oracle databases and AWS cloud resources introduces compliance concerns. Enterprises need a solution that supports SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and private deployment options to maintain trust and meet regulations.

👉 These challenges show why many enterprises look for the best tool for Oracle to DynamoDB migration instead of relying solely on manual scripts or one-time ETL jobs.

Oracle to DynamoDB Migration Methods

There are several approaches to moving data from Oracle to DynamoDB. The right method depends on whether your goal is a one-time migration, ongoing replication, or real-time CDC. Below are the three most common options enterprises evaluate.

Method 1: Real-Time CDC with Estuary Flow (Recommended)

Estuary Flow is a real-time data integration platform designed to simplify complex migrations. Instead of batch jobs or custom ETL code, Flow uses Oracle CDC (Change Data Capture) to stream inserts, updates, and deletes directly into DynamoDB.

Key benefits:

• Real-time sync: Sub-100 ms latency ensures DynamoDB is always up to date.
• Schema evolution: Flow collections validate and adapt when Oracle schemas change, reducing pipeline failures.
• Security and compliance: Estuary Flow is SOC 2 Type II certified and supports private deployment or BYOC for regulated industries.
• Scalability: Supports enterprise-scale workloads with throughput up to 7+ GB/s.
• Low-code setup: Capture from Oracle and materialize into DynamoDB with just a few clicks.

👉 This makes Estuary Flow the best tool for Oracle to DynamoDB migration when enterprises need speed, resilience, and compliance.

Method 2: AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)

AWS DMS is often used for one-time Oracle to DynamoDB migrations or periodic syncs. It can handle bulk loads into DynamoDB and supports some change capture functionality.

Pros:

• Managed service from AWS.
• Works well for initial migration or small-scale replication.

Cons:

• Limited real-time CDC for complex Oracle schemas.
• Can introduce latency in high-volume workloads.
• Configuration and monitoring can become complex for large environments.

Method 3: Custom ETL Pipelines or Kafka Connectors

Some teams build DIY pipelines using custom scripts, Apache Kafka, or open-source connectors to move Oracle data into DynamoDB.

Pros:

• Maximum flexibility for custom use cases.
• Leverages existing in-house tools and expertise.

Cons:

• High engineering and maintenance cost.
• Brittle pipelines that break on schema drift.
• Lack of enterprise-grade security and compliance guarantees.

👉 While AWS DMS and custom ETL pipelines work for certain scenarios, enterprises needing continuous Oracle to DynamoDB replication at scale will find Estuary Flow more reliable, cost-effective, and easier to maintain.

Step-by-Step Guide: Oracle to DynamoDB Migration with Estuary Flow

With Estuary Flow, you can build a real-time Oracle to DynamoDB pipeline in just a few minutes. The process involves creating a capture from OracleDB and materializing it into DynamoDB.

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Oracle 11g or above with CDC (LogMiner) enabled and a dedicated read-only user.
• AWS account with DynamoDB permissions (BatchGetItem, BatchWriteItem, CreateTable).
• An Estuary Flow account.

For additional setup details, check the official Oracle connector docs and DynamoDB connector docs.

Step 1: Configure Oracle as the Source

1. Log into your Estuary dashboard.
2. From the left panel, select Sources > + NEW CAPTURE.
3. Search for “Oracle” and choose Oracle Database (Real-time).
    
   

   
   
   
4. Fill in the Endpoint Config details:
   • Server Address: host:port of your Oracle DB.
   • User / Password: Oracle credentials with LogMiner permissions.
   • Database: Name of the logical database or PDB.
   • Optionally configure SSH tunneling if Oracle is behind a firewall.
     
     

     
     
     
5. Click Next > Save and Publish.

Estuary will now capture changes from Oracle into a Flow collection in real time.

Step 2: Configure DynamoDB as the Destination

1. From the dashboard, select Destinations > + NEW MATERIALIZATION.
2. Search for “DynamoDB” and select the connector.
    
   

   
   
   
3. Provide the required Endpoint Config:
   
   • AWS Access Key ID
   • AWS Secret Access Key
   • Region where your DynamoDB tables are hosted
     
     

     
     
     
4. Under Source Collections, link the Oracle capture you created.
   • You can choose specific collections (tables) to materialize.
     
5. Click Next > Save and Publish.

Your pipeline is now live. Oracle CDC events will be streamed into DynamoDB in real time with sub-100 ms latency.

✅ Pro Tip for Enterprises: If you have compliance needs (HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2), check out Estuary’s security standards and deployment options, including private deployments and BYOC (Bring Your Own Cloud).

👉 Ready to try it yourself? Sign up for Estuary Flow and start your Oracle to DynamoDB migration today.

Enterprise Use Cases for Oracle to DynamoDB Migration

Migrating data from Oracle to DynamoDB is not just about cost savings. It unlocks modern cloud-native patterns that help enterprises deliver real-time analytics, AI-driven personalization, and global scalability. Below are some of the most impactful scenarios.

1. Real-Time Customer Personalization

Retail and e-commerce companies often need to process millions of customer interactions per second. By streaming data from Oracle customer records to DynamoDB, enterprises can:

• Deliver personalized product recommendations in real time.
• Power dynamic pricing models based on demand.
• Maintain shopping cart and session data with low latency.

2. Financial Transactions and Fraud Detection

Banks and fintech firms rely on Oracle for transactional systems, but real-time decision-making is limited. Migrating to DynamoDB enables:

• Real-time fraud detection powered by machine learning models.
• Streaming analytics for regulatory compliance.
• Scalable transaction logging across geographies.

3. IoT and Sensor Data Processing

Manufacturing and logistics companies generate large volumes of time-series data from IoT devices. DynamoDB’s flexible JSON model and horizontal scaling allow:

• Storing IoT sensor data in real time.
• Running analytics for predictive maintenance.
• Integrating with AWS services like Lambda and Kinesis for event-driven workflows.

4. Gaming and Media Applications

For gaming platforms or digital media apps, Oracle often struggles with scale when millions of concurrent users are involved. DynamoDB provides:

• Millisecond response times for user sessions and leaderboards.
• Dynamic scaling during traffic spikes (e.g., new game releases).
• Simplified management of user-generated content.

5. Global Applications with Multi-Region Scale

Enterprises with worldwide customers need low-latency access across regions. With Oracle to DynamoDB migration, you can:

• Use DynamoDB Global Tables to replicate data across AWS regions.
• Ensure high availability and disaster recovery.
• Reduce complexity compared to managing Oracle RAC clusters.

👉 These use cases highlight why enterprises choose real-time Oracle to DynamoDB migration. Whether it’s personalization, fraud prevention, IoT, or global-scale apps, Estuary Flow ensures the migration is seamless, secure, and future-proof.

Conclusion: Modernize with Real-Time Oracle to DynamoDB Migration

Enterprises that rely on Oracle for operational workloads often face challenges with cost, scalability, and agility. Migrating to Amazon DynamoDB provides the flexibility of a cloud-native, serverless database designed to scale with your business needs.

However, traditional ETL jobs and batch migrations often fall short when real-time analytics, schema evolution, and global workloads are required. This is where Estuary Flow stands out.

With Estuary Flow, you get:

• Real-time CDC from Oracle with millisecond latency.
• Automatic schema handling to prevent pipeline breakage.
• Direct DynamoDB materialization without complex ETL steps.
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance, including SOC 2 Type II.
• Deployment flexibility with SaaS, private cloud, or BYOC.

Whether your goal is powering personalization, IoT, fraud detection, or global-scale applications, Estuary Flow helps you achieve it with fewer resources, lower costs, and faster results.

👉 Try Estuary Flow for Free and set up your first Oracle to DynamoDB pipeline in minutes.

📚 Helpful Resources:

• Oracle Connector Docs
• DynamoDB Connector Docs
• Estuary Security Overview
• Deployment Options
• Customer Success Stories
• Contact Us for enterprise consultations