Updated on 2024-10-15 GMT+08:00

Precautions

Pre-Migration

  • You need to check the OS version of the server you are migrating. If it is too early, for instance, Windows Server 2008, the kernel may be incompatible and services on the server may fail to start after the migration is complete. To prevent that, you need to evaluate whether a lift-and-shift migration is suitable for the server before the migration.
  • You are advised to disable any software such as antivirus software that may prevent the SMS Agent from start on the server. If you are not sure whether there is a software conflict with the Agent, back up your data before the migration.
  • Linux block-level migration is in the open beta test (OBT) and is only recommended for testing scenarios.
  • Ensure that the VirtIO drivers are installed in the source server OS, or the target server may fail to start after the migration is complete. If your source server runs on Huawei Cloud, you can install the drivers by referring to Installing VirtIO Drivers.

Network

Migration Duration

  • The migration speed is affected by factors such as network bandwidth, disk I/O, CPU and memory usage, and file size and quantity, so it is impossible to accurately estimate the migration duration. The remaining migration duration estimated by SMS for a migration task is for reference only. For more information, see FAQs about Migration Duration.
  • It is recommended that data migration and service cutover be completed within 30 days.
  • The time required for an incremental synchronization is affected by many factors, such as the number of incremental files, the continuity of valid blocks, and the size of incremental data. It is impossible for SMS to estimate the required time.

In-Migration

  • Before a migration is complete, do not perform operations on the OS or disks of the target server, including but not limited to changing or reinstalling the OS.
  • Make sure you have backed up any data on the target server that you need to save and ensure that the disks can be formatted. Disks on the target server will be formatted and re-partitioned based on the source disk settings during the migration.
  • During the migration of a Windows source server, do not restart the source server. The restart will disconnect the source server from the SMS console. To retry the migration, you need to delete the migration task and create a new one.
  • Do not restart the Agent during a Windows migration or a Linux block-level migration.
  • You are advised not to start the Agent during a Linux file-level migration unless necessary, even though resumable data transmission is supported.
  • During the migration, a temporary pay-per-use disk is created and attached to the target server to ensure that the migration runs normally. After the migration is complete, the disk is automatically detached and deleted. If you manually delete the migration task before it completes, you need to manually delete the temporary disk to avoid extra fees.
  • If an error occurs during the migration, you are advised to provide migration logs to technical support engineers so that the fault can be resolved quickly.

    For details about how to get migration logs, see Where Can I Find the Agent Run Logs?

Post-Migration

  • SMS migrates OS and data. It ensures data consistency before and after the migration, but does not ensure that your applications will run properly on the target server after the migration is complete. You may need to adjust your applications by yourself.
  • SMS ensures data consistency before and after the migration but does not provide tools for validating data consistency. You can use third-party tools if needed.