Microsoft Azure is one of the top cloud providers, and SAP is a popular software company. There are a variety of methods for migrating and hosting SAP systems on Azure. In this article, you’ll learn about migration options for migrating SAP to Azure, as well as key considerations to factor for before making the move.
If you’re considering a migration of your SAP services to Azure it helps to first understand your options. In Azure, there are three main ways to deploy SAP:
All of these deployment options can be combined with other Azure services, including storage, analytics, monitoring, and security.
There are a variety of reasons an organization might choose to move SAP to Azure Cloud. Some of the most compelling include:
Once you’ve decided to migrate your SAP workloads to Azure, there are several tactics you can choose from. The best one for you depends on the specific workloads you want to move.
Export and Import
Exporting data from your on-premise system and importing to Azure is the traditional method for migration. This method is popular because it can be customized to suit your needs. You get to choose exactly what data is moved and when. You can also move data from heterogeneous sources (i.e. different operating systems). Additionally, exported data requires less space than your source; typically around 20-40% of the uncompressed size.
Database Backup and Restore
If you are moving databases from homogenous sources (i.e. with the same operating systems) backup and restore is often the simplest method. This method enables you to take a point in time copy and restore it, as is, in the new environment. The downside of this method is that it can be difficult to sync data changes that occur between backup and restoration.
Database Backup and Restore With Log Shipping
A modification of the above method can be used to reduce downtime and issues caused by syncing requirements. In this modification, database log replication is used to connect the old and new environments. This way, when you are ready to transfer workloads, your databases are already in sync.
Data Transfer
Although not a method by itself, data transfer plays a large role in migration. Reliably migrating large amounts of data requires a dedicated, high throughput connection. For import/export migrations, you can use an FTP server for parallel transfers, reducing the time needed. For other methods, you are better off using AzCopy. AzCopy is a dedicated tool that enables you to copy multiple files at once, optimizing bandwidth use.
Understanding which migration method is best suited to your needs is the first step in planning your migration. After that, there are several other aspects you should consider.
Key factors include:
Hopefully, this article helped you better understand how you can migrate your SAP workloads to Azure. When migrating enterprise workloads, make sure that you get the full cooperation of all parties involved. That includes high-level personnel, temporary team members, and third-party integrators. A successful migration always ensures that all users are ready for the change. Otherwise, you might have to deal with unnecessary overhead.
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get free access to this free guide, downloaded over 200,00 times !