What is a Server Migration?
A server migration is the term used to describe copying or moving complete data from one server to another, as well as configuring that target server to replace the previous one. Server migrations in the context of web hosting might revolve around setting up web server and database software, copying websites and their configurations, and changing DNS to direct visitors to that new server.
Why Should I Consider a Server Migration?
Server migrations may need to happen for a number of reasons. Organizations may migrate to:
- Take advantage of new technology or better service, or to ensure that the operating system (OS) and the hardware beneath it stay up-to-date with current technology.
- Move to the cloud for increased flexibility or scalability.
- To economize and consolidate hosting and reduce CapEx.
- Replace aging infrastructure at the end of its lifecycle.
- To expand and distribute hosting to help reduce load at a single point and achieve high availability.
Migrations should be handled with utmost care. You could sink hours of time, effort, and money into a migration only to find yourself onto the wrong server solution, or worse, with downtime and profit loss. It takes considerable planning and forethought to migrate your data onto an optimized server that is right for you. After all, on-average downtime can cost an enterprise $686,000 an hour, so your organization’s success absolutely depends on a successful migration.
5 Step Server Migration Plan
- Preparing Your New Server
- Assess Data Fidelity
- Data Transfer
- Testing (QA/QC)
- Changing DNS and “Going Live”
