AWS Migration Checklist | Easy To Use | Code Boost
Description: Comprehensive AWS Migration Checklist Preparation and Planning Assess Current Infrastructure : Evaluate existing resources, dependencies, and workloads to identify migration scope...

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# AWS Migration Checklist | Easy To Use

By Matt · Dec 15, 2024

## Comprehensive AWS Migration Checklist

1. Preparation and Planning

- Assess Current Infrastructure: Evaluate existing resources, dependencies, and workloads to identify migration scope and challenges.
- Evaluate Staff Skills: Determine the cloud technology expertise within your team and plan for upskilling if necessary.
- Define Migration Goals and Objectives: Clarify what the migration aims to achieve, such as cost reduction, scalability, or performance improvement.
- Build a Business Case: Develop a strong business rationale for migration, including cost-benefit analysis and long-term benefits.
- Choose Migration Strategies: Select from the 6 R's—Rehost, Replatform, Repurchase, Refactor, Retire, or Retain—based on application needs.

1. Discovery and Assessment

- Inventory Applications and Data: Create a detailed catalog of all applications, databases, and associated data.
- Analyze Dependencies: Map out application interdependencies and integration points to ensure seamless migration.
- Evaluate Data Sensitivity: Assess compliance requirements, security risks, and data handling policies.
- Determine Resource Requirements: Identify CPU, memory, storage, and networking needs for each workload.
- Conduct Financial Analysis: Estimate migration costs, budget for tools, and account for ongoing operational expenses.

1. Migration Strategy and Design

- Blueprint AWS Environment: Design the target architecture, including regions, availability zones, and resource allocation.
- Select AWS Services: Choose services such as EC2 for compute, S3 for storage, RDS for databases, Lambda for serverless compute, and VPC for networking.
- Plan Security Measures: Implement Identity and Access Management (IAM), encryption, and security group configurations.
- Establish Performance KPIs: Define measurable performance indicators to assess migration success.
- Develop Detailed Migration Plans: Create step-by-step plans for each application, including timelines, tools, and team responsibilities.

1. Pre-Migration Tasks

- Set Up AWS Account: Configure your AWS account, including basic services and organizational units.
- Establish Network Connectivity: Set up secure connections using AWS Direct Connect or VPNs.
- Implement Security Controls: Deploy firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and compliance monitoring tools.
- Prepare Data Migration Strategy: Decide on backup methods, transfer tools, and timelines for data migration.
- Train Staff: Ensure team members are familiar with AWS technologies and migration processes.

1. Migration Execution

- Set Up Migration Tools: Use AWS Migration Hub, Database Migration Service (DMS), Server Migration Service (SMS), or DataSync as appropriate.
- Pilot Migration: Test migration plans with a low-risk application to validate processes.
- Execute Phased Migration: Migrate applications and data in stages, minimizing downtime and risks.
- Database Migration: Perform database migration, ensuring schema compatibility and data validation.
- Monitor Performance: Track migration progress and resolve issues in real time.

1. Post-Migration

- Verify Data Integrity: Ensure all data has been migrated accurately and is accessible.
- Test Application Functionality: Validate that applications are performing as expected in the AWS environment.
- Optimize Resources: Adjust resource allocation based on performance and cost considerations.
- Implement Monitoring Solutions: Use tools like Amazon CloudWatch and AWS Config to track performance and compliance.
- Update Documentation: Revise operational procedures, architecture diagrams, and runbooks.
- Provide Additional Training: Equip staff with the skills needed for ongoing AWS management.

1. Validation and Optimization

- Conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Gather user feedback to ensure all systems meet requirements.
- Verify Service Functionality: Check that all AWS services are operational and meet defined KPIs.
- Monitor Real-Time Metrics: Use dashboards to track application health and performance.
- Optimize Costs and Performance: Implement recommendations from AWS Cost Explorer and Compute Optimizer.
- Continuous Improvement: Establish regular reviews and refine processes to enhance efficiency.

### Additional Considerations

- Rollback Plan: Prepare a robust rollback strategy to handle unexpected issues during migration.
- Support Availability: Ensure technical support is accessible during and after the migration process.
- Compliance Audits: Conduct post-migration audits to verify adherence to regulatory standards.