Data Center Migration Overview: Relocation Strategies and Tools

IT systems and infrastructures rarely stand still. New use cases, shifting business needs, and technology evolution mean that existing data center performance can be sub-optimal. Such changes drive the need for data center migration, a process that can take the form of moving IT assets to a new location.

It’s increasingly common, with researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reporting that three-quarters of servers are now deployed to hyperscale or colocation facilities. This finding suggests a broad move to large-scale infrastructure across the IT sector.

However, while migration may make business sense, it isn’t always easy or successful. IT managers have long known that computer systems are fragile, and must be handled, and moved, with caution. This data center relocation guide​ takes on both sides of the issue. It discusses why migration is a good idea, but also how to ensure that the data center transition process creates as few problems as possible.

What is Data Center Migration? 

Data center migration is the process of moving a company’s IT assets, potentially including hardware, data, applications, and network infrastructure, from one hosting environment to another. This often means moving servers and databases from an on-premises data center to a colocation facility or a public cloud platform like Amazon Web Services (AWS).

A data center migration might not always be a major move, however. It could be as simple as moving data between sections of the same data center, for instance. But even a small move  can be a challenge to get right.

Data center migration can be known by other terms, including IT infrastructure migration or a data center transfer.

Data Center Migration vs Data Center Relocation 

It’s worth taking a moment to differentiate between data center migration and data center relocation. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings.

Data center migration refers to the overall idea of moving hardware, software, virtual machines (VMs), and data between hosting environments. Today, data center migration frequently means moving IT assets to the cloud. Data center relocation is about moving hardware between data center sites. The two processes may occur together, but they don’t have to.

Data center relocation is also typically more concerned with breakdown and reinstallation of hardware, and there is greater emphasis on sub-services such as cable mapping and ensuring safe and secure transport of equipment.

Why Consider Data Center Migration and Relocation 

Why would an organization want to move its data center hardware and software? Reasons for moving a data center vary, but most drivers are financial or operational in nature, either directly or indirectly. Key reasons for data center movement include:

• Cloud strategies—A company might elect to migrate assets from data centers to the cloud to pursue a cloud strategy, i.e., to benefit from the cloud software architecture, along with the cloud’s flexibility and scalability.

• Cost reduction—Moving data center equipment and applications can help lower IT operating costs, particularly if the move consolidates duplicative or sub-optimal sites.

  The results of such a move may include greater hardware utilization and cuts in IT infrastructure energy consumption and may reduce data center administrative headcount. Moving to a colocation facility, which involves leasing rack space from a provider that manages the site, also serves this purpose.

• Organizational factors—Data center moves become necessary or desirable as a business changes shape. For instance, if a company consolidates locations, it may make sense to consolidate inefficient localized data centers. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) exert comparable pressure. Redundant data center capacity created through a merger will likely need to be migrated to a consolidated central facility or the cloud.
• Business strategies—Data centers are potentially integral to the execution of business strategies, such as digital transformation or becoming a “mobile first” enterprise. These moves may depend on low-latency or high-performing infrastructure that requires data center migration to achieve.

• Compliance and security—A business may choose to migrate data center assets to comply with regulations, such as those for data privacy or data sovereignty. Some laws, such as HIPAA, which covers patient privacy, mandate that a company only store health records on infrastructure it owns. To comply, a company may need to transfer patient data from cloud-hosted systems.

  Security may also lead to a data center migration, with companies moving IT assets to sites that are more secure—or simply to reduce the cyber-attack potential by cutting down on physical access points.

6 Different Data Center Migration Types 

There are multiple types of data center migration and IT infrastructure migration​. Here are six of the most common:

1. Relocation to another data center

Data center relocation is simply the moving of data center assets between data centers. This may or may not involve moving the actual hardware, though that is an option. Other options include migrating from physical hardware to VMs, VMs to VMs, physical hardware to the cloud, and VMs to the cloud.

2. Cloud migration

Cloud migration means moving systems and data from physical hardware to cloud-hosted platforms like AWS, which run them in a virtual mode. Alternatively, cloud migration could encompass moving virtual assets from one cloud platform to another, e.g., from AWS to Microsoft Azure cloud.

3. Hybrid migration

Hybrid data center migration solutions combine different types of migration, for example, moving some on-premises infrastructure to colocation, and other elements to the cloud.

4. Virtual machine migration

In some cases, data center migration simply means moving virtual machines from one data center to another. However, simple as this may sound, the actual process can be quite challenging. Configurations and dependencies cause complexity and lead to systems “breaking” once moved.

5. Consolidation

A data center consolidation strategy involves closing selected data center sites and migrating their capacity to a smaller number of target sites. Reasons for consolidation include cost savings and organizational changes, such as through M&A.

6. Legacy migration

Legacy systems tend to be good candidates for data center migration. They are usually costly to maintain and inefficient in administrative terms – and, the hardware may be wearing out.

For these reasons, organizations may elect to migrate legacy IT infrastructure​ to the cloud. For example, companies that run AS-400 (AIX-based) mini-computers, which are still commonly in operation decades after their introduction, now have the option of migrating them to virtual AS-400 platforms in the cloud.

7 Benefits of Data Center Migration 

Data center migration offers a number of potential benefits. Here are seven benefits that a company can realize through migration to a hyperscale or cloud data center:

1. Scalability – Cloud platforms and hyperscale colocation providers offer significantly better scaling capabilities than are possible with on-premises data centers. The cloud, for example, offers limitless scaling up or down on demand.
2. IT budget cuts – Migrating to large-scale data centers, especially through consolidation, creates economies of scale, such as through admin team efficiency. The cloud offers savings in capital expenditures (CapEx) because the cloud provider pays for the construction of the data center, its hardware, and infrastructure.
3. Easier compliance – Companies that migrate to hyperscalers and cloud platforms can take advantage of those providers’ compliance with regulations and standards. For example, if the provider is PCI-DSS compliant, companies can rely on that status for a large part of their own PCI-DSS compliance efforts.

4. More modern hardware and software – Data center migration typically means moving software and data to more modern hardware. The customer may also upgrade its software as part of the move. The infrastructure management software is also likely to be more modern than what the customer has been using on-premises.

   This could pose a significant benefit because modern hardware typically runs more efficiently and is often more secure.

5. Network performance – Migration offers the potential to run systems on faster networks. This outcome is due to faster Internet connections to the data center as well as higher-performing network equipment inside the new data center.

6. Security posture – Hyperscalers and cloud platforms invariably have better security policies and controls than their customers. Migrating, therefore, improves security posture. However, the shared responsibility model still leaves the customer responsible for securing its systems and data.
7. Uniform hardware – Companies that want to manage uniform hardware stacks, for example, all Intel equipment, all Dell equipment etc., should find it easier to accomplish this goal through migration and consolidation than by replacing equipment on-premises.

Issues with Data Center Migrations and Relocations 

Migration comes with its share of challenges and risks. According to Gartner, over 80% of data center migrations either fail, have higher data center relocation costs than expected, or take longer than planned.

Key issues include:

• Cost overruns – Data center move costs come with surprise expenses, such as unanticipated software licensing fees.
• Data loss or corruption – Porting data can lead to files being erased.
• Application compatibility issues – Software may not work with updated operating systems in a new environment.
• Security risk – Security configurations run the risk being reset to “default” during migration.
• Resource allocation – CPU capacity can be misaligned with workload.
• Network connectivity – IP addresses may not be updated in the move, causing disruptions.
• Project management difficulties – Relocations can take more time and human resources to execute the migration than planned. This is a common challenge.

Developing a Data Center Migration Strategy

A flawless data center migration​ does not just happen. Rather, it’s the product of careful planning and the execution of a well-thought-through data center migration strategy. Such data center migration strategies vary widely, but most comprise the following three phases:

Pre-Migration

Some of the most important data center relocation strategy work occurs before a single server is moved. For pre-migration, it’s strategically wise to conduct an assessment or data center relocation checklist so one can evaluate data center migration options. For example, if low latency is a business objective for customer experience, then the migration needs to deliver on this capability.

A data center migration assessment reviews the business goals for the move and maps them to the specific plan. At the same time, a risk assessment is a useful step because it will highlight where the project can go wrong. It’s optimal to work with experienced professionals who specialize in this complex process, as they will help develop and maintain a comprehensive migration project plan.

Data Center Migration Testing and Execution

Executing the migration needs to be a painstaking, staged process that’s been mapped out well in advance. It should include extensive testing, for example, ensuring that data is not corrupted during the process. It pays to be prepared for something to go wrong, so data backups are essential. Good communication between team members is critical for success.

Post-Migration

After execution, it’s time to retest and evaluate how the process went. Things could always be better next time, so it’s smart to assess what went well and what didn’t. Additionally, the newly migrated systems will almost certainly need tuning and more administrative attention than anyone predicted.

How to Achieve a Seamless Data Center Migration/Data Center Relocation Project 

A data center migration or relocation project that achieves its goals without going over budget, causing delays, or disrupting business operations will embody a number of practices and principles.

Here are some key considerations to ensure an effective relocation:

• Inventory – Building a comprehensive list of all relevant IT assets, their dependencies, and disposition in the migration. From there a decision can be made whether to keep or dispose of the IT hardware.
• Effective planning – Resulting in a detailed mapping of each migration phase, timelines, and budgets, as well as task dependencies. For example, data cannot migrate until database servers are installed at the target site, effective planning can ensure this.
• Data and system backup – Following the “3-2-1 rule,” which holds three copies of data on two different media—one of which is stored offsite. It’s also imperative to test recovery processes.
• Staff/vendor/executive coordination – Engaging in proactive, clear communications between all people and teams who are participating in the migration. The goal is to ensure that everyone does what they are supposed to do at the right time.

Data Center Migration Tools To Help the Transition 

Data center migration services can help keep the entire data center migration project running smoothly. Such services may rely on specialized data center relocation equipment​ or data center migration software.

In some use cases, such as cloud migration, the data center migration solution is built into the cloud platform. The platform has a data center migration tool​ that automates some of the key migration processes. Examples include AWS Migration Hub, Azure Migrate, and Google Cloud Migrate. However, it is not advised to rely solely on a provider’s tools alone.

An effective migration requires tools for the process’s component workflows, each of which is a project in its own right and needs focused planning and execution. There are numerous tools available for each, including open source tools:

• Data migration, e.g., Informatica Power Center
• Application migration, e.g., VMware HCX
• Hardware migration, e.g., Microsoft Windows Server Migration Tools
• Virtual machine migration, e.g., Veeam
• Dependency mapping, e.g., Faddom
• Testing/validation, e.g., LoadRunner

Some data center infrastructure management (DCIM) suites contain functionality that addresses the needs of these workflows.

​Data Center Relocation Services from Park Place Technologies

If you’re in need of a data center relocation or migration, chances are you do not have the team, or the time, to carry out a transition project effectively. There are many different factors to consider, so it’s essential to connect with a partner who ensures continued IT operations throughout the migration.

Park Place Technologies is a globally recognized data center relocation company. Our IT Professional Services offering ensures we have the tools, expertise, engineers, and project managers to hand to ensure your movement of IT infrastructure assets is carried out seamlessly. We cover everything, including breakdown, reinstallation, safe and secure transport and accurate cable mapping, all protected by our Green Light Guarantee (ensuring your devices are repaired/replaced after installation if required).

Contact us today to learn more.