When businesses already have a well-functioning Windows server set up, they may be resistant to the idea of migrating their Windows servers to the cloud. However, a cloud-based infrastructure conveys numerous advantages to both small and large businesses, ranging from cost efficiency to removing a single point of failure. When a business migrates its Windows servers to the cloud, keeping a number of factors in mind can provide a smooth transition.
Before the Migration
Prior to the migration process, look through the databases and ensure they're synced, up-to-date and pruned properly. Also thoroughly check to make sure no viruses or other issues could carry over to the new cloud databases. Cut down on the log file size ahead of time to avoid massively large log files slowing down the migration process. Forcing the logs to rotate helps cut down on the size prior to migration. The last part of the process before migration is to lock the databases so no additional data is written to them while the migration occurs.
The Migration Process
Some cloud service providers have cloud migration tools designed for Windows server migrations that allow the business to see exactly which type of cloud setup works best for its current database configuration. When the business migrates the servers, the first step of the process is to copy the data to the new servers while keeping the old servers online. The files are synced, so all the data is properly available and transferred before the old server is taken offline. The next step is to test the new server thoroughly before deleting the older server to determine whether everything is in working order, so you have an immediate backup on hand. The Windows cloud allows the servers to pool resources from many physical servers to improve performance as well as reduce issues related to hardware failure and problems.
Mitigating Issues During Migration
The safest way to handle Windows server migration is to have the servers inaccessible for use during the process. In many cases, however, this won't be practical. A temporary solution for keeping busy databases tamed during migration is to change the tables to read-only, so the databases are dealing with minimal changes to the tables. Flush the application caches before the migration begins as well, as these small cache files bog down the entire operation. Go through the database and run a deduplication process to remove any unnecessary duplicate tables.
When a business looks at moving Windows servers to the cloud, the benefits far outweigh the risks and the hassle that come from migration. Although the upfront labor of migration may take some time from the IT department, the cloud provider handles maintenance and upgrades from that point forward.
Action Item: Prior to the migration process, look through the databases and ensure they’re synced, up-to-date and pruned properly. Also, cut down on the log file size ahead of time to avoid massively large log files slowing down the migration process. A temporary solution for keeping busy databases tamed during migration is to change the tables to read-only, so the databases are dealing with minimal changes to the tables. Flush the application caches before the migration begins as well, as these small cache files bog down the entire operation. Go through the database and run a deduplication process to remove any duplicate tables that don't need to be there in order to speed up migration.
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