What is Data Center Migration: Strategy, Process and Solutions

What is a data center migration 

Data center migration, also known as a data center relocation, is the process of moving assets from one data center environment to another. 

 There are a number of reasons why an organization might decide to undertake a data center migration, from a hardware or software upgrade to a change of location or to consolidate multiple centers into a single one. 

Steps of a Data Center Migration 

A data center migration process can be complex, so it helps to break it down into a sequence of steps: 

1. Planning
   First of all, an organization needs to plan the location of the new site that will be taking the place of the old one. This makes the planning stage a crucial first data center migration step. 
2. Assessment
   Another necessary step is to review the network architecture, considering cable management and any other factors that may come into play. 
3. Design
   Next, it’s advisable to decide which applications will be migrated first so we can design a plan that accounts for the problems that may occur as a result of the migration process. 
4. Verification
   It’s a good idea to do a ‘dry-run’ assessment of the infrastructure to make sure that everything will work as intended. This will help identify problems ahead of time and avoid critical time being wasted. 
5. Testing
   Once the migration has taken place, it’s necessary to test that everything works properly. 

Consider a data center migration checklist 

Following a checklist is a good way to ensure things are done in an orderly manner and without forgetting any important things. To help you start, Evernex has developed a basic checklist that could be useful before, during and after a data center migration. 

Data center migration best practices 

Some of the best practices to achieve a successful migration are the following: 

1. Clarifying the purpose of the data center migration
   This will help everybody understand the reason why we’re going to the trouble of carrying out the migration. Getting others onboard with the plan will ensure collaboration and a smoother process. 
2. Choosing someone to lead the migration plan
   Having a person be in charge of the migration will help funnel decisions through them and avoid slowdowns due to a more complex hierarchical structure. 
3. Planning
   As mentioned before, a thorough planning phase will help save valuable time and resources. 
4. Testing
   Testing the new data center infrastructure before the actual migration will help ensure that it works properly and can support the workloads that will be running on it. 
5. Using a phased approach
   Migrating different parts of the data center at different times instead of moving everything at once can help minimize disruption and reduce the risk of problems. 

Data center migration tools 

There are three main types of data center migration tools: 

1. On-premise tools designed to migrate data and applications within the network of an organization. 
2. Open source tools, which are either free or very affordable. 
3. Cloud-based tools that make it possible to move data and applications to the cloud. 

Data center migration challenges 

Some of the most common challenges an organization may face regarding a data center migration are the following: 

• Setting realistic expectations about the cost, time and required resources
  Many organizations fall into the trap of making overly optimistic plans regarding how long a data center migration will take and the cost and expenditure of resources it will entail. Planning and testing are important steps that can help avoid this problem. 
• Work disruption
  During a data center migration process, it’s hard to avoid at least some downtime. Careful planning and testing will help keep this to a minimum. The possibility of downtime is another reason why it’s important to make sure everyone is informed about what our plan is and the reasons why it’s important to carry it out. 
• Getting everyone on board with the plan
  Given that a migration process will affect a large part of an organization, it’s important to ensure that everyone is informed about the benefits of the process as well as the short-term challenges it will bring. 
• Achieving fast and clear communication among everyone involved
  It’s important to establish fast and clear communication channels between everyone that is involved, or can be affected by, the data migration process. This will help identify problems faster, as well as keep everyone moving in the same direction while preventing misunderstandings. 

Bringing it all together

While a data center migration process can be disruptive, it can lead to great improvements in productivity or simply be unavoidable due to space constraints, a move, or other reasons. Once it has been ascertained that it’s advisable to go ahead with the process, organizations will benefit from keeping in mind three main principles that can have a great effect on how everything takes place: thorough planning, clear communications, and well-defined roles and leadership. 

If your organization is considering a data center migration, contact Evernex for a free consultation about the best way to proceed and how to make the most of your IT budget in these circumstances. 

FAQs

Why is a data center migration necessary? 

There are several reasons for an organization to undertake a data center migration: 

• Outdated Infrastructure 

Aging hardware and infrastructure can lead to performance bottlenecks, increased downtime, and higher operational costs. A migration allows businesses to modernize their IT infrastructure. 

• Scalability 

Growing businesses require additional computing power, storage, and network capacity. Data center migrations enable organizations to scale their infrastructure to meet evolving demands. 

• Cost optimization 

Consolidating data centers or moving to more cost-effective locations can result in substantial operational cost savings. 

• Compliance and security 

Compliance requirements and the need for enhanced security measures may necessitate a relocation to a more secure and compliant facility. 

• Disaster recovery and business continuity 

Data center migrations can enhance disaster recovery capabilities and ensure uninterrupted business operations in case of unforeseen events. 

How long does a data center relocation project typically take? 

The duration of a data center relocation project can vary significantly depending on various factors, such as the size of the data center, complexity of the infrastructure, and the extent of planning involved. Typically, the timeline falls within the range of several months to a year. Key factors that influence the duration include: 

Preparation. The planning and assessment phase can take several months, as it involves evaluating the existing infrastructure, designing the new data center, and creating a detailed migration plan. 

Execution. The actual migration process, including hardware relocation, software setup, and data transfer, can take several weeks to months. 

Testing and validation. Rigorous testing and validation processes are necessary to ensure that the new data center functions seamlessly. This phase can add a few weeks to the timeline. 

Post-migration optimization. After the migration, fine-tuning and optimizing the new infrastructure may continue for several weeks to ensure optimal performance. 

Is it time for your data center migration? 

There are a number of aspects to take into account for an organization in order to decide whether the time has come to take the leap and embark on a data center migration. The following are the most common: 

Obsolete IT infrastructure. If a data center is showing its age and is in danger of becoming outdated and inefficient, or simply can’t support more recent software or hardware additions, the time may have come for a data center migration. 

Cost reduction. Migrating to more efficient data center facilities or adopting cloud solutions can lead to significant cost savings in terms of maintenance and operational expenses. A thorough analysis of an organization’s current IT assets can help determine whether this would be the case. 

Scalability. As organizations grow, their need for increasing amounts of processing power and storage might make a data center migration to a more suitable space advisable. 

Disaster recovery and business continuity. Modern data center designs often incorporate robust disaster recovery features, a key consideration for business continuity planning. 

Why choose Evernex? 

Evernex stands out as a trusted partner for data center migrations for a number of reasons. 

Expertise. With years of experience in data center migrations, Evernex possesses the knowledge and skills required to navigate complex relocation projects. 

Global reach. Evernex has a global presence, making it an ideal choice for organizations with data centers located worldwide. 

Comprehensive solutions. Evernex offers end-to-end solutions, from planning and assessment to execution and ongoing support, ensuring a smooth and successful migration. 

Security and compliance. Evernex prioritizes data security and compliance, adhering to industry standards and best practices to protect critical data.