- Assessing the current environment is the first step in cloud migration. This involves understanding existing infrastructure, applications, and dependencies to determine suitability for migration.
- Planning the migration strategy comes next. This includes selecting the appropriate cloud service model (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS) and cloud provider, as well as outlining a detailed migration plan with timelines and milestones.
- During the third step, applications and data are prepared for migration. This involves optimizing applications for cloud compatibility, addressing any dependencies or integration issues, and ensuring data is ready for transfer.
- The migration itself is the fourth step. This includes transferring applications, data, and other business elements to the cloud environment while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations.
- After migration, it’s crucial to validate and test the migrated resources to ensure they function correctly in the cloud environment. This step helps identify and resolve any post-migration issues.
- The final step involves optimizing and continuously managing the cloud environment. This includes monitoring performance, security, and costs, as well as making adjustments to optimize resources and improve overall efficiency.
The 6 R’s of migration refer to different strategies for handling applications during migration: rehost, refactor, revise, rebuild, replace, and retire. Each strategy offers a distinct approach to transitioning applications to the cloud based on factors like complexity, cost, and business goals.
Cloud migration strategies include rehosting (lift and shift), re-platforming (lift, tinker, and shift), repurchasing (drop and shop), refactoring/rearchitecting (lift, reshape, and shift), and retiring (drop and stop). These strategies help organizations determine how to migrate applications based on their specific needs and objectives.