Your data centers are likely some of the most important elements of your organizational infrastructure. Since data is the future of your organization, you need to make sure it is properly supported. You need to make sure that they are properly set up and implemented to execute your data strategy. There may be instances when it is prudent to migrate your data center. HubSpot has an entire whitepaper on this process.
Unfortunately, data center migration is rarely a simple process. There are numerous mistakes that might complicate the process. You should be aware of these potential missteps, so you can take adequate measures to avoid them.
Some of the most common data center migration errors are listed below. You need to be aware of them as you try to come up with new data center solutions.
Neglecting to take a full inventory of your data center assets
You probably have extensive documentation of different assets that your data centers utilize. This documentation encompasses the data servers, software applications, virtual and cloud-based technology, as well as a number of other physical and digital assets.
The problem is that this documentation might be heavily outdated. The scope of your assets can change dramatically in the span of a couple of months. If your documentation hasn’t been updated for nearly a year, then you might lose track of 30% or more of the resources that need to be accounted for.
You need to conduct an extensive audit of your data center resources before proceeding. You need to evaluate your data center infrastructure from top to bottom to make sure everything is properly accounted for.
Failing to delegate oversight to an experienced data center migration expert
Delegation is crucial for the long-term success of any organization. The trick is to make sure that all processes are carefully delegated to the most competent and responsible figureheads.
This is especially important when implementing a data center migration. Somebody needs to assume the responsibility of ensuring the migration is conducted within necessary protocols. They must be given the autonomy to make traditional decisions, up to and including canceling the migration if instabilities or other problems arise. They must also have the right skills to handle your data.
Believing that the process can be completed without clear documentation ahead of time
Trying to complete a data center migration without an acceptable blueprint is like trying to bake a cake without ever glancing at a recipe. The consequences will just be far more disastrous.
You can’t afford to migrate your resources to a new data center without clearly understanding the process. Every step needs to be documented and followed appropriately. If there are any scenarios where certain steps need to be coordinated differently, then those exceptions must be outlined in your migration blueprint. Although you want to give your project manager and their subordinates the autonomy to carry out the necessary procedures, you must make sure there are still enough constraints to keep them from improvising too much.
Not ensuring that your equipment will be compatible with the new infrastructure
This might seem like a very obvious mistake. However, it is also surprisingly one of the most common.
You must carefully assess the technical specifications of any equipment that you are currently using. You might need to prioritize the storage of certain pieces of equipment if there is not enough space for everything. Your only other option might be to upgrade to a data center with more space, which might not be feasible with your budget.
Forgetting to account for issues you will encounter after the migration is complete
You probably are focusing almost all of your energy on completing the data center migration. It is easy to breathe a sigh of relief and believe that the process is finished. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Remember you are still going to have some work to complete after the migration is finalized. You need to take inventory and verify everything is operating smoothly. You might need to do some preliminary troubleshooting to identify any potential problems. This stage usually only lasts a few days, while the migration could take months. However, it is still a critical stage that you can’t afford to ignore.
Always have a professional oversee your cloud migration or upgrade to ensure a smooth transition. You can trust DataKnox, a data center decommissioning company that takes care of your old data centres and hardware as well as helping you migrates to the cloud. They will listen to your requirements and plan every stage meticulously.