Migrating data from Firebird to MariaDB

This guide walks you through migrating data from Firebird to MariaDB in a few simple steps using ESF Database Migration Toolkit. Simplify complex migration tasks and save valuable time with our streamlined approach.

Firebird vs. MariaDB:

FireBird is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that offers robust features, high performance, and scalability. It provides cross-platform support, running on Windows, Linux, macOS, and various Unix platforms. With its SQL compliance, ACID transactions, and multi-generational architecture, Firebird is well-suited for both small-scale applications and enterprise-level deployments. Additionally, its lightweight footprint and minimal administration requirements make it a popular choice for embedded database solutions.
MariaDB is a powerful open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that originated as a fork of MySQL. It was developed by the original creators of MySQL in response to concerns over its acquisition by Oracle Corporation. MariaDB retains compatibility with MySQL while offering additional features, improved performance, and enhanced security. It is widely used in various applications ranging from small-scale web databases to large-scale enterprise systems, thanks to its flexibility, scalability, and active community support.

Prerequisite:

Software Required:

DMToolkit_x64.zip (63.5 MiB)	64-bit Windows application for ESF Database Migration Toolkit 12.2.09 (2025-07-17). (md5: af00d640b9e71618ed20932c52f4688d)
DMToolkit_win32.zip (58.8 MiB)	32-bit Windows application for ESF Database Migration Toolkit 12.2.09 (2025-07-17). (md5: 1b7566ee53ff21b6dc8444741b9da73a)

System Supported:
- Windows 7 or higher.
- Firebird 1.5 or higher.
- MariaDB 5.1 or higher.

Step by Step Wizard:

Configure Firebird/InterBase Connection
- In the Choose a Data Source dialog:
  - Select Firebird/InterBase from available options
- Provide authentication credentials:
  - Username: SYSDBA (default)
  - Password: masterkey (default)
- Select the database character set from dropdown
- Specify database location:
  - Click the [...] button (Browse)
  - Select your Firebird (.fdb) or InterBase (.gdb) file
- For network connections:
  - Enter server address in format: [server_name][/port][/path_to_file]
  - Examples:
    - localhost/3050:/var/db/test.fdb
    - dbserver.example.com:/data/prod.gdb
Fig. 1: Configuring Firebird/InterBase data source
Configure MariaDB Destination
- In the "Choose a Destination" dialog:
  - Select "MariaDB"
- Enter connection details:
  - Server name: localhost (default)
  - Port: 3306 (default)
  - Username
  - Password
- Optional settings:
  - Select MariaDB Storage Engine
  - Choose character set (e.g., UTF-8)
- Database configuration:
  - Click the Refresh button to list available databases
  - Select existing database OR enter new database name
  - Note: Non-existent databases will be automatically created during migration
Fig. 2: MariaDB destination configuration
In "Select Source Table(s) & View(s)" Dialog
- Select migration objects: Choose tables or views to include in the migration.
  
  Fig. 3: Select tables and views
- Modify table structure: Click the ellipsis (...) button to access table options and schema adjustments.
  
  Fig. 4: Do transform
- Configure field mapping: In the Field Mapping options:
  - Customize destination fields (name, data type, default value, comments)
  - Select data transfer method:
    - Overwrite Table (replace existing data)
    - Empty Data (truncate before insert)
    - Append Data (add to existing data)
    - Skip Table (exclude from transfer)
  - Apply data filters before transfer
Execution Dialog
- Start migration: Click "Submit" to initiate automated data transfer from Firebird to MariaDB.
  
  Fig. 5: Execute migration
- Monitor progress: Click "Browse Log" for real-time migration tracking, including issue resolution details.
- Save configuration: Click "Save as job" to store settings for:
  - Quick reloads of migration jobs
  - Command-line execution (use: dmtc.exe --help for parameter options)
Finished!

After migration completes, the toolkit generates a comprehensive report for verifying migration accuracy. You can monitor progress as the automated process runs efficiently. For any questions or feedback, contact us – our team is ready to assist.