MSFTCOST01-BP01 Run discovery tools
Migration Evaluator is a migration assessment service that helps you create a directional business case for AWS cloud planning and migration. The information that the AWS Migration Evaluator collects includes server profile information (for example, OS, number of CPUs, amount of RAM), SQL Server metadata (for example, version and edition), utilization metrics, and network connections. AWS Application Discovery Service helps you plan cloud migration projects, by gathering information about your on-premises data centers. It discovers the connections between applications and servers to uncover unknown servers, better understand dependencies, and establish move groups.
Desired outcome: Gain comprehensive visibility into your infrastructure environment by collecting detailed server profiles, SQL Server configurations, utilization patterns, and application dependencies to create an accurate business case for cloud migration and optimize resource planning.
Common anti-patterns:
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Relying on manual inventory tracking and documentation, leading to incomplete or outdated infrastructure information and missed optimization opportunities.
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Making migration decisions based solely on static server specifications without considering actual utilization patterns and application dependencies.
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Planning cloud migrations in isolation without understanding the full scope of application relationships, resulting in overlooked servers and disrupted service connections.
Benefits of establishing this best practice:
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Accurate cost projections and resource planning through automated discovery of server configurations, SQL Server metadata, and utilization metrics.
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Reduced migration risks by identifying hidden dependencies and establishing appropriate move groups based on discovered application connections.
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Optimized infrastructure spend by right-sizing resources based on actual utilization patterns rather than assumptions or outdated documentation.
Level of risk exposed if this best practice is not established: High
Implementation guidance
Implementing comprehensive infrastructure discovery through tools like AWS Migration Evaluator and AWS Application Discovery Service is crucial for successful cloud migrations and cost optimization. These tools automatically collect detailed information about server configurations, SQL Server deployments, resource utilization, and application dependencies, replacing error-prone manual tracking methods. This automated approach not only provides accurate data for building business cases and planning migrations but also helps organizations avoid the common pitfalls of oversizing resources or missing critical application connections, ultimately leading to more successful and cost-effective cloud deployments.
Implementation steps
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Deploy AWS Application Discovery Agent on target servers or configure AWS Application Discovery Agentless Collector for VMware environments
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Enable data collection in AWS Migration Hub
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Monitor and analyze collected data, including server profiles, utilization patterns, and application dependencies
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Generate reports and recommendations for migration business case, infrastructure requirements, migration waves, and resource optimization strategies
Resources
Related documents:
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