Windows Server Migration to Azure from a physical or virtual machine

1. Introduction to Azure Migration

Microsoft Azure offers a host of services that allow businesses to achieve a move into the cloud, regardless of the scale of existing resources or future plans. Many businesses have already made the migration from on-premises IT resource provisioning to hybrid (on-premises and cloud in combination) or cloud-only IT environments to save costs for administration, disaster recovery, and development. Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure used to build, deploy, and manage applications through a global network of data centers. Azure can support Windows Server, Linux, SQL, SharePoint, Dynamics, and any premise infrastructure while providing access to all Windows platforms. The majority of IT organizations currently plan to use cloud computing. There are, of course, some common cloud considerations when utilizing Microsoft Azure and the process to shift workloads to a cloud environment. Some of these include technical, financial, and skills challenges.

2. Planning and Preparation for Migration

When planning for a migration project, it is essential to take the time to thoroughly assess and strategize to ensure that the migration process will proceed smoothly and quickly. Begin by identifying assessment requirements and focusing on the documentation of the Windows Server workloads, including dependency applications. A detailed infrastructure diagram will help you visualize your migration scope. List the dependencies and potential impact on your workloads. Professional services can assist with infrastructure documentation requirements.

Preparing the scope of work documentation requires that you document the existing Windows Server infrastructure. In particular, you will need to ensure you have an accurate assessment of the following:

• Number of physical and virtual Windows Servers.
• Windows Server operating system versions and service pack or patch level.
• Applications and dependencies at a high level.
• Workload per server.
• Storage allocation.
• Network configuration.
• Security measures, such as firewalls.
• The migration requirements of the application(s).

Any additional aspects of documentation that are relevant to the current state of the Windows Server infrastructure.Ensure potential problem areas are identified. When you are developing your migration strategy, consider the potential impact on the following:

• Data center capacity.
• Network capacity and configuration.
• Storage capacity and speed requirements.
• Security measures, both physical and electronic.
• Time to install or relocate equipment.
• People resources required to manage the migration and training requirements.
• Impact on maintenance contracts.
• Backup configuration.

3. Migration Methods and Tools

There are different methods to transfer your Windows Server environment to Azure. The most common migration methods are:

Lift-and-shift: The migration is mainly of infrastructure to Infrastructure as a Service in Azure. This approach is suitable for workloads with minimal changes or configuration. A re-platform approach uses Azure IaaS and PaaS services to reduce the use of Linux and Windows Servers. Re-platform: The re-platform method replaces certain parts of code with cloud components or open-source community or SDN in Azure. This approach is suitable for workloads using legacy systems to build their services; the pay-as-you-go cloud model is an attractive offer. Application modernization: Under this recovery method, applications and components are completely re-platformed, combined into a single enterprise portal, and then modernized. This approach is suitable for complex workloads requiring multi-cloud or diverse-speed modernization.

Azure Migrate is the recommended native Azure tool and platform for conducting proof of concept testing with a free assessment without further investment. Proprietary or third-party tools for migration are useful to collect more metadata and performance history to get a better view of your environment and perform feasibility and readiness tests prior to the full-scale migration. Once tools are consumed, migration begins with the provision of VMs or infrastructure in Azure by using Azure Site Recovery Services for continuous replication to the Azure cloud or by using an image of a VM to load in Azure native services. Tools used: In the Azure migration of Windows Server, tools that are recommended are Azure Migrate, Mirror, ASR, physical to VM migration, and Marketplace listings.

The prepared machine images or replicated VMs are launched in Azure in VM, Container, PaaS, FaaS, or SaaS services, and the functionality, security, performance, and cost factors are verified. You will require third-party software subscriptions which vary your selection. It is best practice to test and validate your migration workloads before and after the migration with a migration tool in place. You are encouraged to evaluate your target-based business requirements and select migrations before you start your migration. This will arm you with a migration method, planning, implementation tools, team skillset, budget, and timeline. Challenges: During the Windows Server migration, VM compatibility, conversion, data transfer, speed, and security are some of the initial key challenges. However, with the right selection of the methods and their built-in functionalities of the tools, these challenges can be minimized.

4. Post-Migration Best Practices

Implement continuous monitoring and adjust server performance and other settings as necessary. Keeping cloud-based systems compliant with previously stipulated requirements is highly recommended. Applications and workloads should be designed with scalability from an architectural and performance point of view. Review and optimize security settings for the new environment where necessary. Always have backups for all critical data and create and maintain disaster recovery plans. Recovery Time Objective and Recovery Point Objective targets should be defined for each workload in a disaster recovery plan in order to reduce planned and unplanned downtime. Keeping workloads and physical devices up to date with updates can help reduce downtime and optimize performance. Take advantage of advanced functionality available to improve operational efficiency. Implementing security and other best practices can reduce the risk of data loss, data corruption, and data theft. Train and upskill key IT team members to get the most out of the environment post-migration. Soliciting feedback on the migration and conducting post-mortems to determine if the migration was successful and received as expected by stakeholders. Schedule routine health checks to assess whether the environment is delivering the expected value, if the cloud provider is meeting requirements, and if a return to on-premises operation makes sense. Plan for and research individual applications, dependencies, and other specific considerations post-migration. Consider feedback from monitoring tools or advice from consultants should concerns appear during post-migration. Evolve the post-migration process where applicable.