Over time, almost every organization grows, and it gradually gets to the point when its current data centre solution can no longer meet its requirements. This prompts the organisation to contemplate relocating its IT infrastructure to a new data centre ecosystem, whether it be to boost capability to deploy new applications or to have access to a larger spectrum of connectivity alternatives.
When the organization’s data centre strategy needs to be changed, many businesses leverage the advantages of colocation, such as increased interconnectivity, security, reliability, and scalability, to upgrade their IT infrastructure.
Many considerations must be made by an organisation if they decide to opt for a data centre migration, which includes:
- Can we move all of our applications to a colocation facility or just the ones that are latency-sensitive?
- How else can we reduce downtime while yet safeguarding data and applications?
- Would we be able to link or connect to multiple service providers of our choosing?
- Would we have the personnel needed to deploy quickly and efficiently?
Once the organization has determined that a data centre relocation is required, the following step is to make it happen. When picking a colocation data centre, a business must examine a wide set of variables. However, once theyfind a data centre services provider who can fulfil its demands for operational flexibility, businesses can start planning how they will transfer their equipment to a colocation facility.
Before we discuss the best practices for data centre migration, let’s first understand what it is.
What Is Data Center Migration?
The activity of migrating any assets from an existing data centre (be it hardware or software) to a new data centre facility is known as data centre migration. This might entail transferring data as well as enterprise applications out of an outdated data centre, relocating server units inside the same data centre, or replicating a data centre setup to a 3rd party data centre.
However, how could businesses ensure that their data centre migration takes place without a hitch? Although any big IT change carries the risk of failure, there are quite a few recommended practices to consider for a data centre migration that can effectively mitigate risks.
Best Practices for Data Centre Migration in 2021
Here are the top 5 best practices for data centre migration to consider for a seamless transition.
- Create A Project Management Strategy
A project management strategy is the foundation of any planned transition. Even before any singular piece of equipment gets disconnected, this strategy provides a detailed and measured approach to analyzing every element and risk.
When an organization decides to migrate, it should appoint a project manager and assign tasks to the migration team, ensuring the project management plan is prepared and implemented in a timely manner.
- Establish A Budget As Well As Success Factors
‘Cost optimization will drive cloud adoption for the conceivable future,’as per Gartner[1]. Many data centre migrations wind up costing more than expected, owing to inadequate planning and risk analysis. Before beginning the migration process, organisations may avert this scenario by being upfront regarding their application requirements and expectations.
Organizations must ensure that their new data centre services provider has everything to handle their IT infrastructure and that there are no unpleasant surprises whenever they migrate. In addition, once the migration gets complete, applications must perform either as they did before or even better than they did prior to the actual migration.
- Determine Who Will Be In Charge Of Equipment Disassembly And Transportation
It’s not as straightforward as disconnecting a server and packing it onto a vehicle to move computer hardware.
Electrostaticdischarge, contact with magnetic fields, as well as physicalmismanagement can all cause substantial harm to hardware components if they are not carefully de-installed and transferred.
A third-party provider specializing in asset migration can assist in ensuring that the organization’s IT hardware reaches the new data centre facility in the best condition possible, allowing businesses to realize the rewards of colocation without replacing their equipment.
- Pay Attention To The Equipment Suggestions Made By The Provider
Over the past years, colocation data centre providers have witnessed their fair share of effective and ineffective migrations.
Not only are the personnel that operate in data centres deeply familiar with their infrastructure, but they also understand what equipment works and performs the best. So, when it comes to power strips, cables, racks and other equipment, leading data centre colocation providers can advise on what has worked well in previous data centre migrations.
- Make No Assumptions
There should be no assumption about any part of a data centre migration. Forming generalised assumptions could lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies, resulting in costly downtime or equipment damages.
Organizations must communicate with their new data centre services provider for every step along the process to validate migration specifics and identify potential problems. Even before a single piece of equipment gets transferred, functioning and service availability for both interminability and local connectivity, for example, should be validated.
After the hardware has arrived in the new facility, prior to the installation, all essential power ports, as well as configuration settings, should be verified. Nothing should ever be left to chance after so much planning and budgeting.
The Way Forward
When it comes to data centre migration, just knowing the best practices might not be enough. Businesses must also make sure they look for colocation data centre services providers with an impeccable operational capacity and market reputation.
Amongst the many, one such leading data centre services provider is STT GDC India. Being a market leader in the Indian DC Industry, STT GDC India operates 18 state-of-the-art data centre facilities in 9 key metropolitan cities, supporting over 140MW of IT load. Explore their website to know more about their services and choose the right data centre providers!
