Merge pull request #35719 from MashaMSFT/202511_dbmig

Staging GA of DB migration

Author: rmca14

azure-sql/managed-instance/doc-changes-updates-release-notes-whats-new.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ description: Learn about the new features and documentation improvements for Azu
 author: MashaMSFT
 ms.author: mathoma
 ms.reviewer: wiassaf, mathoma
-ms.date: 10/21/2025
+ms.date: 11/03/2025
 ms.service: azure-sql-managed-instance
 ms.subservice: service-overview
 ms.topic: whats-new
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ The following table lists the features of Azure SQL Managed Instance that are cu
 |[Endpoint policies](./service-endpoint-policies-configure.md) | Configure which Azure Storage accounts can be accessed from a SQL Managed Instance subnet. Grants an extra layer of protection against inadvertent or malicious data exfiltration.|
 |[Flexible memory](resource-limits.md#flexible-memory-preview) | Save on cost by choosing the memory allocation for your [Next-gen General Purpose](service-tiers-next-gen-general-purpose-use.md) instance based on your workload needs.|
 |[Modernization Advisor](../virtual-machines/modernization-advisor.md) | Use the Modernization Advisor in the Azure portal to help you determine if migrating to Azure SQL Managed Instance from a SQL Server VM saves you money or optimizes performance. |
-|[Migrate SQL Server to Azure](/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance) | Migrate your SQL Server instance enabled by Azure Arc to Azure SQL Managed Instance through the Azure portal.|
 |[Next-gen General Purpose](service-tiers-next-gen-general-purpose-use.md) | An architectural upgrade of the General Purpose service tier that uses managed disks for greater resource flexibility, and improved performance while maintaining the same baseline cost as the General Purpose service tier.  |
 |[Regular expression functions](/sql/relational-databases/regular-expressions/overview) | Regular expression (REGEX) functions return text based on values in a search pattern. |
 |[SDK-style SQL project](/sql/azure-data-studio/extensions/sql-database-project-extension-sdk-style-projects) | Use [Microsoft.Build.Sql](https://www.nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.Build.Sql) for SDK-style SQL projects in the SQL Database Projects extension in Visual Studio Code. SDK-style SQL projects are especially advantageous for applications shipped through pipelines or built in cross-platform environments.|
@@ -57,7 +56,8 @@ The following table lists features of Azure SQL Managed Instance that have been
 
 | Feature | GA Month | Details |
 | ---| --- |--- |
-|[Optimized locking](/sql/relational-databases/performance/optimized-locking)| July 2025 | Azure SQL Managed Instance with the Always-up-to-date and SQL Server 2025 [update policy](update-policy.md) now has optimized locking enabled for all user databases. |
+|[Migrate SQL Server to Azure](/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance) | October 2025 | Migrate your SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc instance to Azure SQL Managed Instance through the Azure portal.|
+|[Optimized locking](/sql/relational-databases/performance/optimized-locking)| July 2025 | Azure SQL Managed Instance with the **Always-up-to-date** and **SQL Server 2025** [update policy](update-policy.md) now has optimized locking enabled for all user databases. |
 |[UNISTR (Transact-SQL)](/sql/t-sql/functions/unistr-transact-sql) | July 2025 | Azure SQL Managed Instance now supports the `UNISTR` T-SQL syntax for Unicode string literals.|
 |[\|\| (String concatenation)](/sql/t-sql/language-elements/string-concatenation-pipes-transact-sql?view=azuresqlmi-current&preserve-view=true) and [\|\|= (Compound assignment)](/sql/t-sql/language-elements/compound-assignment-pipes-transact-sql?view=azuresqlmi-current&preserve-view=true) syntax support | July 2025 |Azure SQL Managed Instance now supports [\|\| (String concatenation)](/sql/t-sql/language-elements/string-concatenation-pipes-transact-sql?view=azuresqlmi-current&preserve-view=true) and [\|\|= (Compound assignment)](/sql/t-sql/language-elements/compound-assignment-pipes-transact-sql?view=azuresqlmi-current&preserve-view=true) Transact-SQL syntax.|
 |[Degrees of parallelism (DOP) feedback](/sql/relational-databases/performance/intelligent-query-processing-degree-parallelism-feedback?view=azuresqldb-mi-current&preserve-view=true) | July 2025|  DOP feedback improves query performance by identifying parallelism inefficiencies for repeating queries, based on elapsed time and waits. For more information, see the [Smarter Parallelism: Degree of parallelism feedback in SQL Server 2025](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/sqlserver/smarter-parallelism-degree-of-parallelism-feedback-in-sql-server-2025/4431318) blog. |
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ Learn about significant changes to the Azure SQL Managed Instance documentation.
 
 | Changes | Details |
 | --- | --- |
+| **Database migration GA** | Migrate your SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc instance to Azure SQL Managed Instance through the Azure portal. This feature is now generally available (GA). Review [Migrate SQL Server instance to Azure SQL Managed Instance](/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance) to learn more. |
 | **Redirect connection type default** | The [redirect connection type](connection-types-overview.md#redirect-connection-type-default) is now default for all new and existing instances. The redirect connection type has better latency and throughput performance compared to the legacy proxy connection type. SQL managed instances with the `proxyOverride` value set to `Default` before October 2025 are converted to the legacy `Proxy` connection type, which you can change to `Redirect` manually using the Azure portal or PowerShell. |
 
 ### September 

data-migration/sql-server/managed-instance/guide.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ description: This guide teaches you to migrate your SQL Server databases to Azur
 author: rwestMSFT
 ms.author: randolphwest
 ms.reviewer: mathoma, danil
-ms.date: 06/16/2025
+ms.date: 11/15/2025
 ms.service: azure-sql-managed-instance
 ms.subservice: migration-guide
 ms.topic: how-to
@@ -41,6 +41,12 @@ To move SQL instances, you need to plan carefully:
 
 SQL Managed Instance is a managed service that allows you to delegate some of the regular DBA activities to the platform as they're built in. Therefore, some instance-level data doesn't need to be migrated, such as maintenance jobs for regular backups or Always On configuration, as [high availability](/azure/azure-sql/database/high-availability-sla-local-zone-redundancy) is built in.
 
+### Database migration
+
+Migrate your SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc instance to Azure SQL Managed Instance directly through the Azure portal. For detailed instructions, review [Migrate SQL Server instance to Azure SQL Managed Instance](/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance).
+
+Database migration provides a built-in migration experience by using the Managed Instance link or Log Replay Service (LRS) methods behind the scenes while simplifying configuration, management, and monitoring of the migration process.
+
 ### Managed Instance link
 
 This section provides high-level steps to migrate from SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance with minimal downtime by using the Managed Instance link. For detailed instructions, review [Migrate with the link](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/managed-instance-link-migrate).

data-migration/sql-server/managed-instance/overview.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ description: Learn about the tools and options available to migrate your SQL Ser
 author: rwestMSFT
 ms.author: randolphwest
 ms.reviewer: mathoma, danil
-ms.date: 06/16/2025
+ms.date: 11/03/2025
 ms.service: azure-sql-managed-instance
 ms.subservice: migration-guide
 ms.topic: how-to
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ We recommend the following migration tools:
 | Technology | Description |
 | --- | --- |
 | [Azure Migrate](/azure/migrate/how-to-create-azure-sql-assessment) | This Azure service helps you discover and assess your SQL data estate at scale on VMware. It provides Azure SQL deployment recommendations, target sizing, and monthly estimates. |
+| [Database migration](/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance) | Migrate your SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc instance to Azure SQL Managed Instance through the Azure portal.
 | [Native backup and restore](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/restore-sample-database-quickstart) | SQL Managed Instance supports restore of native SQL Server database backups (.bak files). It's the easiest migration option for customers who can provide full database backups to Azure Storage. |
 | [Log Replay Service](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/log-replay-service-migrate) | This cloud service is enabled for SQL Managed Instance based on SQL Server log-shipping technology. It's a migration option for customers who can provide full, differential, and log database backups to Azure Storage. Log Replay Service is used to restore backup files from Azure Blob Storage to SQL Managed Instance. |
 | [Managed Instance link](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/managed-instance-link-feature-overview) | This feature enables online migration to SQL Managed Instance by using Always On availability technology to replicate changes nearly real time. It's a migration option for customers who require the database on SQL Managed Instance to be accessible in R/O mode while the migration is in progress, who need to keep the migration running for prolonged periods of time (such as weeks or months at a time), who require true online replication to the Business Critical service tier, and for customers who require the most performant minimum downtime migration. |

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/configure-windows-accounts-agent.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ description: Get acquainted with permissions required to start and run Azure Ext
 author: MikeRayMSFT
 ms.author: mikeray
 ms.reviewer: safeitle, randolphwest
-ms.date: 07/15/2025
+ms.date: 11/03/2025
 ms.topic: reference
 ---
 
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ The section [SQL privileges by feature](#sql-privileges-by-feature) explains the
 - [Automated backups](#automated-backups)
 - [Availability groups](#availability-groups)
 - [Best practices assessment](#best-practices-assessment)
-- [Database migration (preview)](#database-migration)
 - [Migration assessment](#migration-assessment)
+- [Database migration](#database-migration)
 - [Point in time restore](#automated-backups)
 - [Purview](#purview)
 
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ The following table lists the default behavior for the features that control per
 | [Automated backups](#automated-backups) | Disabled by default |
 | [Availability groups](#availability-groups) | Enabled by default |
 | [Best practices assessment](#best-practices-assessment) | Disabled by default |
-| [Database migration (preview)](#database-migration) | Enabled by default |
 | [Migration assessment](#migration-assessment) | Enabled by default |
+| [Database migration](#database-migration) | Enabled by default |
 | [Point in time restore](#automated-backups) | Disabled by default |
 | [Purview](#purview) | Disabled by default |
 
@@ -187,15 +187,15 @@ If the feature is enabled, the extension automatically grants the following perm
 
 ### Database migration 
 
-The [Database migration (preview)](migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) feature is enabled by default, and only requires the permissions listed in [default extension permissions](#default-extension-permissions), though some permissions used by the Database migration (preview) feature are granted [just-in-time permissions](#just-in-time-sql-permissions) when a specific migration action is performed.
+The [Database migration](migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) feature is enabled by default, and only requires the permissions listed in [default extension permissions](#default-extension-permissions), though some permissions used by the Database migration feature are granted [just-in-time permissions](#just-in-time-sql-permissions) when a specific migration action is performed.
 
 The following actions require additional permissions that the extension grants just-in-time:
 - [Create Managed Instance link migration](#create-managed-instance-link-migration)
 - [Complete cutover of Managed Instance link migration](#complete-cutover-of-managed-instance-link-migration)
 - [Cancel Managed Instance link migration](#cancel-managed-instance-link-migration)
 
 > [!NOTE]
-> Users with the `SqlServerAvailabilityGroups_CreateManagedInstanceLink`, `SqlServerAvailabilityGroups_failoverMiLink`, and `SqlServerAvailabilityGroups_deleteMiLink` permissions in Azure can perform actions on the [Database migration (preview)](migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) page during the migration process that elevate the SQL Server permissions of the account used by the extension, including the `sysadmin` role. 
+> Users with the `SqlServerAvailabilityGroups_CreateManagedInstanceLink`, `SqlServerAvailabilityGroups_failoverMiLink`, and `SqlServerAvailabilityGroups_deleteMiLink` permissions in Azure can perform actions on the [Database migration](migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) page during the migration process that elevate the SQL Server permissions of the account used by the extension, including the `sysadmin` role. 
 
 ### Create Managed Instance link migration
 

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/includes/features-edition.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ The following table identifies features available by [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](
 | [Azure pay-as-you-go billing](../manage-configuration.md) | Yes | Yes | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 | [Best practices assessment](../assess.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Migration readiness](../migration-assessment.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
-| [Database migration (preview)](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | LRS & <br />MI link | LRS & <br />MI link | LRS only | LRS only | LRS & <br />MI link | LRS only |
+| [Database migration](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | LRS & <br />MI link | LRS & <br />MI link | LRS only | LRS only | LRS & <br />MI link | LRS only |
 | [Detailed inventory](../view-inventory.md#inventory-databases) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Microsoft Entra authentication](../../../relational-databases/security/authentication-access/azure-ad-authentication-sql-server-overview.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Microsoft Defender for Cloud](/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-sql-usage) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes <sup>1</sup> | Yes | Yes |

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/includes/features-operating-system.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ The following table identifies features available by operating system:
 | [Install Azure extension for SQL Server during setup](../../../database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-from-the-installation-wizard-setup.md#install-sql-server-2022) <sup>1</sup> | Yes | No |
 | [Best practices assessment](../assess.md) | Yes | No |
 | [Migration assessment](../migration-assessment.md) | Yes | No |
-| [Database migration (preview)](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | Yes | No |
+| [Database migration](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | Yes | No |
 | [Detailed inventory](../view-inventory.md#inventory-databases) | Yes | No |
 | [Microsoft Entra ID authentication](../../../relational-databases/security/authentication-access/azure-ad-authentication-sql-server-overview.md) <sup>1</sup> | Yes | Yes |
 | [Microsoft Defender for Cloud](/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-sql-usage) | Yes | No |

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/includes/features-service-type.md

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ The following table identifies features available by [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](
 | SQL Server inventory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Best practices assessment](../assess.md) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
 | [Migration readiness](../migration-assessment.md) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
-| [Database migration (preview)](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
+| [Database migration](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
 | [Detailed inventory](../view-inventory.md#inventory-databases) | Yes | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 | [Microsoft Entra ID authentication](../../../relational-databases/security/authentication-access/azure-ad-authentication-sql-server-overview.md)  | Yes <sup>1</sup> | No | No | No | No |
 | [Microsoft Defender for Cloud](/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-sql-usage) | Yes | No | No | No | No |

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/includes/features-version.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ The following table identifies features available by SQL Server version:
 | [Azure pay-as-you-go billing](../manage-configuration.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Best practices assessment](../assess.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Migration assessment](../migration-assessment.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
-| [Database migration (preview)](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | LRS only | LRS & MI link | LRS & MI link | LRS & MI link |
+| [Database migration](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | LRS only | LRS & MI link | LRS & MI link | LRS & MI link |
 | [Detailed inventory](../view-inventory.md#inventory-databases) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Microsoft Entra ID authentication for SQL Server](../../../relational-databases/security/authentication-access/azure-ad-authentication-sql-server-overview.md) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
 | [Microsoft Defender for Cloud](/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-sql-usage) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/includes/license-types.md

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ The following table identifies the capabilities and use rights offered with each
 | [SQL Server inventory](../overview.md#manage-your-sql-server-instances-at-scale-from-a-single-point-of-control) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Best practices assessment](../assess.md) | No | Yes | Yes |
 | [Migration readiness](../migration-assessment.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
-| [Database migration (preview)](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
+| [Database migration](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Detailed inventory](../view-inventory.md#inventory-databases) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Microsoft Entra authentication](../../../relational-databases/security/authentication-access/azure-ad-authentication-sql-server-overview.md) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Microsoft Defender for Cloud](/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-sql-usage) | Yes | Yes | Yes |

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/includes/settings.md

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ The following table identifies settings, if they're enabled by default, and wher
 | [Automated backups](../backup-local.md)                                    | Disabled                   | Yes             | Instance, Database     |
 | [Collect performance metrics (preview)](../sql-monitoring.md)              | Enabled                    | Yes             | Instance               |
 | [Migration assessment](../migration-assessment.md)                        | Enabled                    | Yes             | Instance               |
-| [Database migration (preview)](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | Enabled                   | No             | Extension               |
+| [Database migration](../migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md) | Enabled                   | No             | Extension               |
 | [Availability Group discovery management](../manage-availability-group.md) | Enabled                    | Yes             | `AvailabilityGroupDiscovery` feature flag |
 | [Extension log collection](../troubleshoot-deployment.md#log-file-locations) | Enabled                    | No              | Not configurable       |
 | [SQL Server instance and DB discovery](../view-inventory.md)               | Enabled                    | No              | Not configurable       |