Which tool is used to assess and migrate databases from an on-premises SQL Server to an Azure Virtual Machine?

The Data Migration Assistant is specifically designed to assess and migrate databases from on-premises SQL Server environments to Azure, including Azure Virtual Machines. It helps database administrators by analyzing the source database for compatibility issues and providing recommendations for mitigation. This tool can also facilitate the actual migration process by allowing you to export the schema and data to Azure, ensuring that the migration is as smooth as possible.

Using the Data Migration Assistant, administrators can identify potential problems that might arise during the migration, such as deprecated features and feature parity issues. Additionally, it provides insights into performance recommendations for the target environment in Azure, making it invaluable when planning a migration strategy.

Other tools mentioned, while useful in their own rights, serve different purposes. For example, Azure Migrate is a broader tool for assessing and migrating various workloads including virtual machines and applications, but it is not specifically centered on SQL Server databases. Azure Backup Center focuses on backup and recovery solutions, and SQL Server Management Studio is primarily a management tool for SQL Server databases that does not offer dedicated migration capabilities like the Data Migration Assistant does.