Data migration initiatives come with a multitude of benefits for companies. Implementing new features, improving their capacity, or enhancing their efficiency by replacing old hardware are just some of the many advantages your organization will get after migrating data to a new center. However, there are many data center migration steps you should familiarize yourself with beforehand to ensure a smooth transition that is free from errors.
Planning the Data Migration
Before you begin the data center migration process, you must perform a good deal of planning. There are a lot of steps that must be laid out because if there are any missed steps or procedures, the end result can prove detrimental to your organization. Break down every necessary task that your team must perform, outline a budget to ensure you can cover the migration costs, and make a list of the resource requirements.
The data center migration process can be difficult for inexperienced individuals. Given how vital the process is, you’ll want someone who has the necessary skills to prevent a failed migration. Appointing a project manager who is familiar with the process can benefit the process considerably. However, if there is nobody in your organization who has experience with data migration, then you can hire a consultant to assist the process.
Test the New Data Center
It doesn’t matter how thoroughly you plan out your data center migration process: if the new facility does not meet the necessary standards and requirements, then you can encounter problems in the future. Therefore, testing the new facility before you begin the data migration process is vital for ensuring your organization’s data will be safe in the future.
There are several infrastructure requirements you should test prior to a data center migration project, including:
- An assessment to determine if the new facility will be operational after the transfer.
- Testing the latency of the new network to determine if its speed is adequate.
- Document the cooling requirements, the layout of your current infrastructure, and power specifications and how it will compare to the new facility.
- Conduct a preliminary test to ensure the compatibility of the equipment of the new data center.
- Make certain that the new data facility satisfies security and compliance requirements.
Performing the Data Migration
You may be performing a data migration to keep your information and technology safe, but it is possible for them to sustain damage during the transfer itself. To avoid damage to your data, properly back it up so it will be possible to restore it should something unexpected happen. Additionally, take inventory of your current hardware and label the boxes you store them in so you can keep track of your company’s equipment.
The transfer process can vary in several ways. For example, you may opt for a network-based data transfer if you have a large amount of data instead of transferring it physically; the exact method you implement will be different based on the circumstances. Further, you will have to decide on whether you want to transfer the data in chunks or all at once. Both transfer options have pros and cons, such as numerous hours of off-time if you transfer it all together, so weigh these choices carefully during your planning phase.
Complete the Data Migration
Once everything has been transferred to the new data center, there are a few other steps you must perform to wrap up the process. Conducting tests of your electronics and data is essential to make sure everything works as intended, and it is beneficial to document the migration procedure to make sure you did not miss any steps. Additionally, if there are any old electronics discarded during the transfer, make certain to remove all the leftover data and recycle or dispose of them properly.
Companies who need assistance with data destruction in NJ after migrating data can call on Keystone Technology Management for aid. We specialize in numerous electronic services, such as our hard drive shredding in PA.