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Orchestrating Zero-Downtime NoSQL Migrations in .NET Core Microservice Architectures: Strategies, Mechanisms, and Operational Insights
John K. Latham , University of Melbourne, AustraliaAbstract
The accelerating adoption of cloud-native architectures and microservices has intensified the need for robust, zero-downtime data migration strategies within NoSQL environments. Contemporary enterprises rely on continuous availability while simultaneously evolving data schemas to meet emerging business requirements, necessitating sophisticated mechanisms to manage heterogeneous data stores without service interruption. This research article provides a comprehensive analysis of zero-downtime migration methodologies, particularly in the context of .NET Core-based microservices, drawing upon extensive theoretical foundations, case studies, and best practices in schema evolution and dynamic software updating. By synthesizing insights from both academic literature and practical implementations, the study identifies critical factors influencing migration efficiency, data integrity, and system resilience. Methodologically, the research employs a multi-layered framework encompassing asynchronous schema evolution, polyglot persistence, dynamic checkpointing, and automated migration orchestration. Results indicate that integrating distributed migration protocols, coupled with live-update mechanisms, substantially reduces operational risk and enables near-continuous service availability. The discussion critically examines the implications of these findings in light of contemporary NoSQL paradigms, emphasizing the interplay between schema flexibility, service scalability, and fault tolerance. The paper concludes by proposing a holistic research agenda aimed at bridging gaps in automated schema management, adaptive microservice deployment, and cross-database interoperability.
Keywords
Zero-downtime migration, NoSQL databases, Microservices, Schema evolution
References
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