How to Migrate a Server Properly? Types of Migration

If you have ever hosted websites or applications on a server, sooner or later you will encounter increasing demands on its resources. Sometimes the server you have chosen to host on the Internet cannot provide the necessary resources to fully process the traffic. In such cases, you may need server migration.

Server migration is the process of moving data from your current server to another.

In addition to transferring data, the new server must be configured to accept it. If you are hosting a website, this may involve additional database setup, copying sites and their configurations, and changing DNS information so that users can navigate to your site on the new server.

In this article, we'll look at the different types of server migrations, the steps required to perform the migration, and what to look out for during the process.

Types of Server Migration

There are several types of migration and ways to perform it, as well as several technologies that are widely used for this process. Migration methods may vary depending on where the information is being transferred from and to.

Migration from physical to physical server (P2P)

This method involves transferring data from one physical server to another without using virtual resources. During the migration process, server drivers are removed using special software tools.

Migration from physical to virtual server (P2V)

In this case, data is migrated from a physical server to a virtual machine that runs in a virtual environment. The process may involve pre-separating the data before the migration begins.

Migration from virtual to virtual server (V2V)

When you need to migrate data from one virtual server to another, V2V migration is used. Most virtual environments include software to perform such migration. However, sometimes standard tools are not enough, especially if the migration is to a different platform with a different configuration.

Migration to the cloud

Migration to the cloud involves transferring data from a server to the cloud, either in whole or in part. It may also involve transferring data from a physical server to a cloud server or between two cloud servers.

Operating System (OS) Migration

Operating system migration involves replacing the current server operating system with another. This is more like an operating system upgrade. Such migration is necessary, for example, when switching from Windows to Linux.

Database Migration

Database migration involves moving data from one database to another. During the migration, all users must update their credentials to access the new database.

Application Migration

This type of migration involves moving applications to another server. The target server can be either cloud or virtual. Organizations often use this method as part of a technology optimization and standards update strategy.

Migrating data to a virtual server

The process of migrating to a virtual server includes several steps:

Step 1: Installing the migration software

To migrate from a physical to a virtual or virtual to a virtual server, you need to install special conversion software. There are both paid and free solutions. Paid options usually perform the entire migration process, but can be quite expensive, especially when moving large amounts of data.

Examples of migration programs:

• Virtual Box
• Hyper-V
• KVM
• VM Cloud Converter
• VHD
• vMotion

Step 2: Preparing the system

Before migration, you must disable the following system elements:

• Antivirus software;
• Firewalls (except for required ports);
• File sharing;
• Programs that write or read data;
• Access control for users.

Step 3: Activate the migration software and select the source

To migrate data, you will need administrative access to the current server. After that, you will need to select the source server and its IP address.

Step 4: Assigning a target system

After selecting the source server, you must specify the destination server, including its IP address or DNS server, as well as the destination server type.

Step 5: Select data to transfer

Before you start migrating, it's a good idea to carefully review the data on your current server. It's recommended that you only migrate the data that's necessary to make your new server run faster and more efficiently. This will also help reduce migration costs.

Step 6: Assess Bandwidth Requirements

Assess the requirements for a successful migration, including time, internet speed, network bandwidth, and the need for CPU control.

Step 7: Performing the migration

At this stage, it is important to work with the technical team to resolve any issues that may arise during the migration process. Once the migration is complete, it is important to verify that the data on the new server is functioning correctly.

Temporary retention of the old server for additional security

After the migration is complete, we recommend leaving the old server active for two weeks in case of problems with the new server.

Mistakes to Avoid When Migrating

1. Do not migrate during peak traffic periods.
Perform migrations during off-peak hours to minimize impact to users and reduce network load.

2. Don't start migration at the same time as introducing new features or strategy.
Initiating migration during this period may result in failures in both new functions and the migration itself.

3. Do not start migration until you have done your research.
Lack of understanding of the process can lead to failures and functional errors after migration.

4. Don't hide your migration plans from your employees.
Inform your colleagues about the upcoming migration, as it may impact their work tasks.

Using Services to Assist with Server Migration

Many hosting providers offer server migration services. It is important to check in advance whether they can help in your case, as the specifics of migration depend on the volume of data and the type of infrastructure.

Your hosting provider can offer support at every stage of the migration and even after its completion.

Data migration can be an easy and stress-free process if you approach it wisely and prepare properly. We hope this article has given you an insight into the migration process and what mistakes to avoid while performing this task.