# Preparing for the Database Migration

![`smart`](./student-guide/diagram/Preparing_aa_001_20230718.png)

+ **Prepare for the migration:**
  + Perform prerequisites on the source `On-Premises MySQL / MariaDB` database.
  + Back up the source `On-Premises MySQL / MariaDB` database.
  + Create a `TiDB Cluster`

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Before migrating an `On-Premises MySQL / MariaDB` database, you must gather some information and back up the source database.