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Migration and Transfer

AWS Application Discovery Service

Overview

  • Definition: Service to gather configuration, usage, and behavior data from on-premises servers and databases to plan cloud migrations.
  • Key Features:
    • Agent-based (Discovery Agent) and agentless (Agentless Collector for VMware) discovery.
    • Collects server specs, performance, TCP connections, and database metadata.
    • Integrates with Migration Hub, DMS Fleet Advisor.
  • Use Cases: Inventory discovery, dependency mapping, migration planning.

  • Updates (2024–2025): Security Hub for compliance (Jan 2025).

Core Concepts

  • Discovery Agent: Software on servers for detailed data (e.g., CPU, RAM, processes).
  • Agentless Collector: VMware VM scans without agents.
  • Data Store: Encrypted storage for collected data, exportable as CSV for TCO analysis.

  • Explanation: E.g., map server dependencies for a data center migration.

Performance

  • Low Latency: Real-time data collection.
  • Scalability: Handles thousands of servers.

Resilience

  • Availability: Multi-AZ data store.
  • Monitoring: CloudWatch, CloudTrail.

Security

  • Encryption: TLS in transit, KMS at rest.
  • Access: IAM policies.
  • Compliance: HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, FIPS 140-2.

  • Auditing: Security Hub (2025).

Cost Optimization

  • Pricing: Free for discovery; pay for storage ($0.023/GB-month).
    • Example: 10 GB data = $0.23/month.
  • Free Tier: None.
  • Strategies: Delete unused data, limit collection scope.

  • Explanation: E.g., export CSV to avoid long-term storage costs.

Key Notes

  • Use Case: Plan migration of 1,000 servers.

  • Exam Tip: Know agent vs. agentless and Migration Hub integration.

AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN)

Overview

  • Definition: Automated service for rehosting applications from physical, virtual, or cloud infrastructure to AWS with minimal downtime.

  • Key Features:

    • Lift-and-shift migration for servers (Windows/Linux, SAP, Oracle, SQL Server).
    • Agent-based replication to EC2, supports non-disruptive testing.
    • Integrates with Migration Hub, EC2, ELB.

    • Replaces CloudEndure Migration (2021).

  • Use Cases: Migrate enterprise apps, minimize downtime, test migrations.

  • Updates (2024–2025): Enhanced automation for SAP migrations (2024).

Core Concepts

  • Replication Agent: Installed on source servers to replicate data to AWS staging servers.
  • Staging Servers: Temporary EC2 instances for data sync.
  • Test/Cutover: Launch test instances or final cutover to production EC2.
  • Migration Workflow:
    1. Install agent on source server.
    2. Replicate data to staging servers (incremental sync).
    3. Test migration with temporary EC2 instances.
    4. Perform cutover to production EC2.

  • Explanation: E.g., migrate a SQL Server app to EC2 with <1 hour downtime.

Detailed Features

  • Supported Sources:
    • Physical servers, VMware, Hyper-V, other clouds (e.g., Azure, GCP).
    • OS: Windows Server 2003+, Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL, etc.).
  • Replication:
    • Continuous, block-level replication via agent.
    • Uses lightweight EC2 instances for staging (e.g., t3.micro).
    • Supports encrypted data transfer (TLS).
  • Testing:
    • Non-disruptive test launches to validate app functionality.
    • Converts source server to AWS-native AMIs.
  • Cutover:
    • Launches production EC2 instances with minimal downtime.
    • Supports post-migration configurations (e.g., ELB, Auto Scaling).
  • Integration:
    • Migration Hub for tracking.
    • CloudFormation for infrastructure automation.
    • CloudWatch for monitoring replication health.
  • Limitations:
    • Requires agent installation.
    • Not for refactoring or re-platforming (use AWS App2Container instead).

  • Explanation: E.g., replicate a VMware-based SAP app to EC2, test, and cutover in 2 hours.

Performance

  • Low Latency: Near-real-time replication.
  • High Throughput: Handles large server workloads.
  • Scalability: Scales with EC2 instance types for staging.

Resilience

  • Availability: Multi-AZ staging servers.
  • Monitoring: CloudWatch (replication lag), CloudTrail (API calls).
  • Recovery: Test instances ensure reliable cutover.

Security

  • Encryption: TLS for replication, KMS for EBS volumes.
  • Access: IAM for MGN actions (e.g., mgn:StartCutover).
  • Compliance: HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, FIPS 140-2.

  • Auditing: Security Hub (2025).

Cost Optimization

  • Pricing:
    • Free for 90 days per server (replication, testing, cutover).
    • Post-90 days: $0.042/hour per replicating server.
    • EC2/EBS costs for staging/production.
    • Example: 10 servers, 30 days = $0 (free tier); 100 days = 10 × 10 × 24 × $0.042 = $1,008.
  • Free Tier: 90 days free per server.
  • Strategies:
    • Complete migrations within 90 days.
    • Use Spot Instances for staging.
    • Delete staging servers post-cutover.

  • Explanation: E.g., migrate 5 servers in 60 days for $0 (excluding EC2).

Key Notes

  • Use Case: Migrate 50 VMware servers to EC2 with minimal downtime.

  • Exam Tip: Know replication, testing, free tier, and Migration Hub integration.

AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)

Overview

  • Definition: Service to migrate databases to AWS with minimal downtime, supporting homogeneous and heterogeneous migrations.
  • Key Features:
    • Migrates to RDS, Aurora, Redshift, S3.
    • Continuous replication for high availability.
    • Schema conversion via AWS SCT.
  • Use Cases: Database migration, data warehouse consolidation.

  • Updates (2024–2025): Enhanced DMS Fleet Advisor (2024).

Core Concepts

  • Replication Instance: EC2-based engine for migration.
  • Source/Target Endpoints: Databases (e.g., Oracle, MySQL).
  • Tasks: Migration or replication jobs.

  • Explanation: E.g., migrate Oracle to Aurora with <1 hour downtime.

Performance

  • Low Latency: Real-time replication.
  • Scalability: Scales with replication instance size.

Resilience

  • Availability: Multi-AZ replication instances.
  • Monitoring: CloudWatch, CloudTrail.

Security

  • Encryption: TLS, KMS.
  • Access: IAM, VPC endpoints.
  • Compliance: HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, FIPS 140-2.

Cost Optimization

  • Pricing: $0.018/hour (t3.micro), $0.75/GB transferred.
    • Example: 1,000 hours, 10 GB = $18 + $7.50 = $25.50.
  • Free Tier: None.
  • Strategies: Use smallest instance, schedule migrations.

  • Explanation: E.g., use t3.micro for small databases.

Key Notes

  • Use Case: Migrate MySQL to RDS.

  • Exam Tip: Know homogeneous vs. heterogeneous and SCT.

AWS DataSync

Overview

  • Definition: Online data transfer service to automate and accelerate moving data between on-premises and AWS storage (S3, EFS, FSx).
  • Key Features:
    • Up to 10x faster than open-source tools.
    • Supports NFS, SMB, HDFS, Snowcone.
    • Handles encryption, integrity validation.
  • Use Cases: Data migration, replication, archival.

  • Updates (2024–2025): Support for FSx for OpenZFS (2024).

Core Concepts

  • Agent: Software on-premises or EC2 for data transfer.
  • Task: Defines source, destination, and schedule.

  • Explanation: E.g., sync NFS share to S3 for backup.

Performance

  • Low Latency: High-speed transfers.
  • Scalability: Scales with agent resources.

Resilience

  • Availability: Multi-AZ with Direct Connect.
  • Monitoring: CloudWatch, CloudTrail.

Security

  • Encryption: TLS, KMS.
  • Access: IAM.
  • Compliance: HIPAA, PCI, GDPR.

Cost Optimization

  • Pricing: $0.0125/GB transferred.
    • Example: 1 TB = 1,024 GB × $0.0125 = $12.80.
  • Free Tier: None.
  • Strategies: Use Direct Connect, schedule transfers.

  • Explanation: E.g., transfer 100 GB for $1.25.

Key Notes

  • Use Case: Migrate 10 TB to S3.

  • Exam Tip: Know supported storage and speed advantage.

AWS Migration Hub

Overview

  • Definition: Centralized service to track and manage migrations across AWS and partner tools.
  • Key Features:
    • Tracks servers, apps, and databases.
    • Network visualization for dependencies.
    • Integrates with MGN, DMS, ADS.
  • Use Cases: Monitor multi-tool migrations, visualize progress.

  • Updates (2024–2025): Improved visualization (2024).

Core Concepts

  • Application: Group of servers/databases to track.
  • Network Visualization: Maps dependencies from ADS data.

  • Explanation: E.g., track migration of 100 servers across regions.

Performance

  • Low Latency: Real-time tracking.
  • Scalability: Handles thousands of resources.

Resilience

  • Availability: Multi-AZ.
  • Monitoring: CloudWatch, CloudTrail.

Security

  • Encryption: TLS, KMS.
  • Access: IAM.
  • Compliance: HIPAA, PCI, GDPR.

Cost Optimization

  • Pricing: Free; pay for integrated services (e.g., MGN, DMS).
  • Strategies: Limit tracked resources.

  • Explanation: E.g., track 50 apps for $0.

Key Notes

  • Use Case: Monitor MGN and DMS migrations.

  • Exam Tip: Know tracking and visualization.

AWS Snow Family

Overview

  • Definition: Physical devices for offline data transfer and edge computing (Snowcone, Snowball, Snowmobile).
  • Key Features:
    • Snowcone: 8 TB, portable, edge compute.
    • Snowball: 50–80 TB, ruggedized.
    • Snowmobile: Exabytes, truck-based.
    • Supports EC2, Lambda, DataSync.
  • Use Cases: Large-scale data transfer, edge computing in remote areas.

  • Updates (2024–2025): Snowcone compute enhancements (2024).

Core Concepts

  • Snowcone: Small, 8 TB, for IoT/drone use.
  • Snowball: Medium, for data centers.
  • Snowmobile: Massive, for exabyte migrations.

  • Explanation: E.g., transfer 50 TB to S3 via Snowball.

Performance

  • Low Latency: Fast physical transfer.
  • Scalability: Multiple devices for large datasets.

Resilience

  • Availability: Device redundancy.
  • Monitoring: CloudWatch, GPS tracking (Snowmobile).

Security

  • Encryption: 256-bit, KMS.
  • Access: IAM, physical security (Snowmobile).

  • Compliance: HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, FIPS 140-2.

Cost Optimization

  • Pricing:
    • Snowcone: $4/day, $0.03/GB.
    • Snowball: $200–$300/job, $0.03/GB.
    • Snowmobile: Custom quote.
    • Example: 50 TB Snowball = $300 + 50,000 × $0.03 = $1,800.
  • Strategies: Minimize rental days, use DataSync for small transfers.

  • Explanation: E.g., 10 TB Snowcone for $150.

Key Notes

  • Use Case: Migrate 100 TB from remote site.

  • Exam Tip: Know device types and edge computing.

AWS Transfer Family

Overview

  • Definition: Managed file transfer service supporting SFTP, FTPS, FTP to S3/EFS.
  • Key Features:
    • Fully managed, protocol-based transfers.
    • Integrates with IAM, Cognito, CloudWatch.
    • Supports custom domains, VPC endpoints.
  • Use Cases: Secure file transfers, replace legacy FTP.

  • Updates (2024–2025): FTPS enhancements (2024).

Core Concepts

  • Server: Managed endpoint for file transfers.
  • Protocol: SFTP, FTPS, or FTP.

  • Explanation: E.g., transfer files to S3 via SFTP.

Performance

  • Low Latency: Fast transfers.
  • Scalability: Auto-scales.

Resilience

  • Availability: Multi-AZ.
  • Monitoring: CloudWatch, CloudTrail.

Security

  • Encryption: TLS, KMS.
  • Access: IAM, Cognito.
  • Compliance: HIPAA, PCI, GDPR.

Cost Optimization

  • Pricing: $0.04/hour (endpoint), $0.30/GB transferred.
    • Example: 1,000 hours, 10 GB = $40 + $3 = $43.
  • Free Tier: None.
  • Strategies: Use SFTP for efficiency, delete unused endpoints.

  • Explanation: E.g., 100 GB transfer for $30.

Key Notes

  • Use Case: Replace on-premises FTP with SFTP to S3.

  • Exam Tip: Know protocols and S3/EFS integration.

Comparison

Service Type Focus Cost Use Case
Discovery Service Migration Planning Server inventory Free (storage $0.023/GB) Plan data center migration
Migration Service App Migration Lift-and-shift Free 90 days, $0.042/hour Migrate VMware to EC2
DMS Database Migration DB to RDS/Aurora $0.018/hour, $0.75/GB Migrate Oracle to Aurora
DataSync Data Transfer Online storage sync $0.0125/GB Sync NFS to S3
Migration Hub Migration Tracking Centralized monitoring Free Track MGN/DMS migrations
Snow Family Offline Data Transfer Physical devices $300/job (Snowball) Transfer 50 TB to S3
Transfer Family File Transfer SFTP/FTPS/FTP $0.04/hour, $0.30/GB Replace FTP with S3

Explanation:

  • Discovery/Migration Hub: Planning and tracking migrations.
  • MGN/DMS: Server and database rehosting.
  • DataSync/Transfer Family: Online file transfers.

  • Snow Family: Offline data transport.