Layers currently loaded via REST service on local server. I want to get that layer data into ARCGIS Online.

[e1yesis]

Like the title says, we currently have all our layer data being hosted on an on-premises server via a REST service. Data is pulled from a SQL server. Our organization just acquired a grant for ARCGIS online licenses, and we would like to migrate the data off our on-premises instance and into ARC online so we can decommission the server. I am very green with ARCGIS and just looking for some guidance on where to start.

[ChristopherCounsell]

If you are turning off the ArcGIS Server your only option is to host it in ArcGIS Online. There are a few types of services you can publish, but the most common is Hosted Feature Layer:

https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/manage-data/publish-features.htm

If SQL Server + ArcGIS Server is 'user managed', data hosted in ArcGIS Online is 'system-managed'. You won't have direct access to the underlying database. All interactions will be through ArcGIS Online interfaces, apps, or the REST API.