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AWS Migration Services — Streamlining your cloud transition
AWS Migration Services provide a suite of tools for efficiently migrating applications and data to the AWS cloud.
What it is
- AWS Migration Services include Database Migration Service (DMS), Application Migration Service (MGN), and the Snow Family (Snowcone, Snowball, Snowmobile).
When I reach for it
- When migrating databases to AWS (DMS).
- When transitioning on-premises applications to the cloud (MGN).
- When transferring large amounts of data securely and efficiently (Snow Family).
Key architectural decisions
- Choose DMS for continuous data replication or one-time migrations.
- Opt for MGN for lift-and-shift migrations with minimal downtime.
- Use Snow Family for edge computing scenarios or large-scale data transfers exceeding available bandwidth.
Gotchas & exam traps
- DMS can only migrate to supported AWS database engines; verify compatibility.
- MGN requires application readiness for cloud environments; assess dependencies.
- Snow Family devices have specific shipping and handling timelines; plan accordingly.
The architect view
- Leverage AWS Migration Services to minimize downtime and maximize cost efficiency during migration.
- Design migration strategies that include a mix of services tailored to application requirements and data sizes.
- Ensure thorough testing post-migration to validate application performance and data integrity.