Windows Workload Modernization - Bulk Conversion of .NET and SQL Server with AWS Transform
Learn about .NET Framework and SQL Server modernization with AWS Transform for Windows. Covers full-stack conversion, wave-based migration, and cost reduction benefits.
Why Windows Workload Modernization Is Urgent
Many enterprise core systems run web applications and Windows services built on .NET Framework 4.x, along with SQL Server databases. These run only on Windows Server, and with Windows Server 2012 R2 end of support (October 2023) approaching, licensing costs (Windows Server CAL, SQL Server licenses) represent a significant portion of operating expenses. Additionally, Microsoft has ended new feature development for .NET Framework, recommending migration to .NET (formerly .NET Core). However, migrating the application layer and database layer separately leads to dependency mismatches and increased testing effort. AWS Transform for Windows is an agentic AI service that performs full-stack bulk conversion of applications (.NET), UI frameworks, databases (SQL Server), and deployment processes.
Full-Stack Conversion Architecture
AWS Transform connects to your source code repository (up to millions of lines of .NET code) and SQL Server, automatically analyzing application and database dependencies. Based on the analysis, it creates modernization waves (conversion groups) and proceeds with conversion incrementally, starting with groups that have the fewest dependencies. Each wave executes the following coordinated conversions: (1) .NET Framework to .NET conversion: Converts ASP.NET Web Forms/MVC to ASP.NET Core and replaces Windows-dependent APIs with cross-platform APIs. (2) SQL Server to Aurora PostgreSQL conversion: Automates schema conversion, stored procedure conversion to PL/pgSQL, and application-side connection string and ORM configuration updates. (3) Deployment conversion: Converts from IIS deployment on Windows Server to Linux container (ECS) or EC2 Linux deployment.
SQL Server Migration Details and Considerations
The conversion from SQL Server to Aurora PostgreSQL is one of the most complex processes in AWS Transform. Schema conversion automatically maps data types (e.g., NVARCHAR to VARCHAR, DATETIME2 to TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE, UNIQUEIDENTIFIER to UUID). Stored procedures are converted from T-SQL to PL/pgSQL, but T-SQL-specific syntax such as cursor processing, temporary tables, and dynamic SQL may require individual attention. Transform detects these difficult-to-convert areas in advance and reports locations requiring manual intervention. On the application side, the Entity Framework connection provider is changed to Npgsql, and SQL Server-specific LINQ queries are modified for PostgreSQL compatibility. After conversion, automatically generated tests verify behavioral equivalence with the original SQL Server. To broaden your knowledge of migration projects, specialized books on Amazon can be a helpful resource.
Transform for Windows Pricing
AWS Transform for Windows pricing is based on individual quotes determined by the number and complexity of applications to be converted. For full-stack conversions including .NET Framework to .NET 8 and SQL Server to Aurora PostgreSQL migration, significant timeline reduction is expected compared to manual migration effort (several months to a year). After conversion, Windows Server and SQL Server licensing costs are eliminated, and the Linux + Aurora combination often reduces annual infrastructure costs by 50-70%.
Summary - Windows Modernization Guidelines
AWS Transform for Windows performs full-stack bulk conversion of .NET Framework, SQL Server, and deployment processes, executing modernization at 5x the speed of traditional approaches. Wave-based incremental conversion lets you proceed steadily while minimizing risk. Beyond Windows Server and SQL Server licensing cost reductions (up to 70%), long-term benefits include improved scalability through Linux containerization and access to the open-source ecosystem.