* [Topics](/en/topics "Topics") * What is IT migration? What is IT migration? ===================== Updated October 31, 2024•*6*-minute read Copy URL Jump to section --------------- OverviewData migrationApplication migrationOperating system migrationCloud migrationSAP migrationVM migrationIT migration and Ansible Automation Platform Overview -------- An IT migration is the shifting of data or software from one system to another. Depending on the project, an IT migration could involve one or more kinds of movement: Data migration, application migration, operating system migration, and cloud migration. A few common examples of IT migration include: * Upgrading an application or operating system (OS) * Moving data from one kind of database to another * Replacing one [data storage](/en/topics/data-storage) system with another * Moving from on-premise infrastructure to [cloud infrastructure](/en/topics/cloud-computing) * Replacing a monolithic application with [containerized](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container) services IT migration projects commonly involve many moving parts and requirements that are highly specific to an organization’s needs. Careful planning, combined with an infrastructure [automation strategy](/en/topics/automation/build-an-automation-strategy), can make IT migrations easier. Data migration -------------- Data migration is moving data from one kind of storage to another. This is often done as part of an upgrade to expand storage capacity, improve performance, streamline [data management](/en/topics/data-services/what-is-data-management), reduce costs, reduce physical footprint, or add new capabilities. Data migrations unfold in three phases: planning, execution, and validation. They can involve transferring large amounts of data across a network, or physically moving drives from one place to another. Every migration is going to be different depending on the amount of data involved, how quickly the migration has to be completed, the types of workloads involved, and security considerations. Data migration sometimes means moving from on-premise data storage to [cloud storage](/en/topics/data-storage/what-is-cloud-storage), or from one data platform to another. Generally, data can be migrated one of two ways: * Online migration transfers data across the Internet or a private network. * Offline migration transfers data by physically shipping a storage device from one place to another. #### Database migration Database migration is a specialized kind of data migration. Organizations might move data from one database to another as part of a database upgrade, because they’ve changed vendors, or because they’re moving to new infrastructure, such as the cloud. Moving from one database to another can require making sure the source database’s schema is compatible with the target database, and converting it if necessary. Many cloud database providers offer tools that can automate this process. As with a standard data migration, a database migration requires planning before the migration and validation after the migration. Red Hat resources ----------------- [Keep reading](/en/resources "Keep reading") Application migration --------------------- Application migration is moving software applications from one IT system to another. Just as there are many ways to build and host applications, there’s no single catch-all method for migrating them. Application migrations usually fall into one of four categories: * Rehost, also called lift-and-shift, which involves moving an application from one platform to another (such as an on-premise server to a virtual machine) without making significant changes. * Refactor, or re-architect, which means making significant changes to an application to run in a new environment. For example, this could mean breaking a monolithic application into containerized [microservices](/en/topics/microservices/what-are-microservices) so it can scale better in a cloud environment. * Replatform, which is a migration to a new environment requiring some changes to the application, but less involved than a complete refactoring or rearchitecing. * Retire, or replace, in which an application is abandoned in favor of something else, such as a [SaaS (software-as-a-service)](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-saas) solution. #### Migrating apps to modern architecture Many IT organizations today are seeking to migrate applications to the modern infrastructure of the cloud, often adopting containerized services and implementing [DevOps](/en/topics/devops) processes along the way. This can be a daunting task. Developers have to update to newer libraries and [APIs](/en/topics/api/what-are-application-programming-interfaces), address new frameworks, infrastructures, and [architectures](/en/topics/cloud-native-apps/what-is-an-application-architecture), and bring new features and versions online, all simultaneously. Tools such as those in the [Red Hat® Application Migration Toolkit (RHAMT)](https://developers.redhat.com/products/mta/overview) can ease this process. These utilities allow you to quickly gain insights into thousands of your applications simultaneously. They identify migration challenges and code or dependencies shared between applications, and they accelerate making the necessary code changes to have your applications run in the latest middleware platforms. [Learn about Red Hat Migration Toolkit for Applications](https://developers.redhat.com/products/mta/overview) Operating system migration -------------------------- Operating system migration is moving an IT system managed by one OS to another OS. This can mean upgrading to a newer version, as when an older version reaches end-of-support. It can also mean moving from one OS to another, such as migrating from Windows to [Linux](/en/topics/linux/what-is-linux). OS migration projects can be time-intensive, and can introduce risks like potential downtime, application incompatibility, and loss of customizations. As with other kinds of migrations, OS migrations involve a series of deliberate steps: * **Prepare.** A pre-migration analysis can identify potential complications with workloads, configurations, or applications and use guidance on how to proactively remediate issues. * **Automate.** Using automated controls can reduce the risk of a migration project and help ensure existing configurations, customizations, and preferences carry over. * **Migrate.** Follow the process that works best for your environment, whether it’s an in-place upgrade or a full redemployment. Many operating systems, including [Red Hat Enterprise Linux®](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux), provide tools and support to make an OS migration as smooth as possible. [Learn about Red Hat Enterprise Linux migration](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/migration-process "product-specific article | RHEL migration process") Cloud migration --------------- Cloud migration means shifting IT systems from traditional on-premise data centers to cloud environments, or from one cloud environment to another. It can also involve building a hybrid cloud, through which applications and data can scale across multiple infrastructures. Cloud infrastructure has many appeals, including easy scalability and cost savings. [**Public cloud**](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-public-cloud) providers offer a pool of virtual resources as a service, with infrastructure that’s automatically provisioned through a self-service interface. It’s a straightforward way to scale out workloads that experience unexpected demand fluctuations. Today’s public clouds are usually part of a heterogeneous mix of environments that leads to higher security and performance, lower cost, and a wider availability of infrastructure, services, and applications. [**Hybrid cloud**](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-hybrid-cloud) is an IT architecture that incorporates some degree of workload portability, orchestration, and management across 2 or more environments, which can include public cloud. A cloud migration doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Many times a cloud migration involves a pilot process to test systems on a limited basis. #### Process of a successful cloud migration **1. Map your journey.** This planning state involves an analysis of your current infrastructure and applications. **2. Run a pilot.** Testing a production-ready environment over a period of several months can allow time to make sure the new environment meets your requirements. **3. Make the move.** The actual migration means bringing existing workloads over to the new environment, based on a schedule that meets the needs of your users. SAP migration ------------- Some IT migrations are driven by the need to accommodate new requirements from software vendors. SAP®, the major [ERP](/en/topics/linux/what-is-erp) software provider, is requiring customers to adopt SAP HANA® and SAP S/4HANA® by 2027 in order to continue receiving support. [Read the SAP HANA migration article](/en/topics/linux/what-is-sap-hana-migration)  SAP S/4HANA runs exclusively on the SAP HANA database, which [runs on Linux®](/en/topics/linux/sap-hana-and-linux). For many customers, this upgrade requires migrating their SAP systems to new IT environments, which can be a long and complex process. It requires creating and correctly configuring target infrastructure, replicating data, testing and validating the new setup, and redirecting workloads to the new environment. [Automation](/en/topics/automation) has become the key to making this kind of migration happen rapidly, efficiently, and reliably. Virtual machine migration ------------------------- [Virtual machine](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-virtual-machine) (VM) migration is the act of moving a virtual machine from 1 host environment to another. In some cases, this means moving a VM between different physical machines. But it can also mean moving a VM to a more modern, containerized environment or platform. In traditional computing environments, hardware is often dedicated to a single application or purpose and rarely used at full capacity. [Virtualization](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-virtualization) helps you get more out of your hardware investment by using [hypervisors](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-hypervisor) to allocate physical resources across multiple virtual machines. This usually means you don’t need as many physical machines to accomplish the same functionality. But even though virtualization comes with cost savings and better hardware utilization, not all virtual infrastructure is created equal. Some virtualization platforms require manual management processes and are unable to support application modernization, leading to increased maintenance costs and slower application deployment. [Migrating your VMs](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift/migrate-vmware-to-openshift-virtualization) to a modern platform lets you continue to benefit from existing virtualization investments while taking advantage of the speed and simplicity of [container technology](/en/topics/containers) and automation. [Learn to migrate VMs with this interactive demo](/en/products/interactive-demo/migrate-virtual-machines) IT migration and Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform ---------------------------------------------------- If you’re doing a task more than once, the chances are that you can benefit from automation. In an IT migration, automation contributes to faster and smoother projects by reducing the number of errors that can result from manual, repetitive migration processes. Whether you want to automate the migration of data, transition from 1 application to another, or move to a new environment, Red Hat can help. [Red Hat Ansible® Automation Platform](/en/technologies/management/ansible) is a unified automation solution that has everything you need to create, manage, and scale your IT migrations. With a Red Hat subscription, you also gain access to certified and supported Ansible content like [Ansible Playbooks](/en/topics/automation/what-is-an-ansible-playbook), [modules](/en/topics/automation/what-is-an-ansible-module), [roles](/en/topics/automation/what-is-an-ansible-role), and plugins. You can use playbooks and other Ansible content to create reusable automation workflows for migrations and common IT tasks. [Learn more about automating migrations with Ansible Automation Platform](/en/technologies/management/ansible/automate-migrations-with-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform) The official Red Hat blog ------------------------- Get the latest information about our ecosystem of customers, partners, and communities. [Keep reading](/en/blog "The official Red Hat blog") All Red Hat product trials -------------------------- Our no-cost product trials help you gain hands-on experience, prepare for a certification, or assess if a product is right for your organization. [Keep reading](/en/products/trials "All Red Hat product trials") Keep reading ------------ ### The journey from observability to AIOps automation Learn how organizations can rely on observability, AIOps, and IT automation to deliver reliable services and applications efficiently. [Read the article](/en/topics/automation/observability-to-aiops-automation "article | The journey from observability to AIOps automation") ### What is infrastructure automation? Infrastructure automation is the use of technology that performs tasks with reduced human assistance. [Read the article](/en/topics/automation/what-is-infrastructure-automation "article | what is infrastructure automation") ### What is patch management? Patch management is the process of identifying, testing, and installing system updates to improve security and performance in operating systems and applications. [Read the article](/en/topics/management/what-patch-management-and-automation "article | what is patch management") Automation and management resources ----------------------------------- ### Related content * Overview [From automation to autonomy](/en/resources/automation-to-autonomy-overview) * Overview [From automation to autonomy](/en/engage/automation-to-autonomy-overview) * Checklist [Automate virtual machines at scale](/en/resources/automate-virtual-machines-at-scale-checklist) * Blog post [Planning your upgrade path to Ansible Automation Platform 2.6](/en/blog/planning-your-upgrade-path-ansible-automation-platform-26) ### Related articles * [The journey from observability to AIOps automation](/en/topics/automation/observability-to-aiops-automation) * [What is infrastructure automation?](/en/topics/automation/what-is-infrastructure-automation) * [What is patch management?](/en/topics/management/what-patch-management-and-automation) * [What is security automation?](/en/topics/automation/what-is-security-automation) * [Why choose Red Hat for automation?](/en/topics/automation/why-choose-red-hat-for-automation) * [What is SOAR?](/en/topics/security/what-is-soar) * [What is an Ansible Playbook?](/en/topics/automation/what-is-an-ansible-playbook) * [How to build an IT automation strategy](/en/topics/automation/build-an-automation-strategy) * [Learning Ansible basics](/en/topics/automation/learning-ansible-tutorial) * [Ansible vs. Puppet: What you need to know](/en/topics/automation/ansible-vs-puppet) * [Ansible vs. Salt: What you need to know](/en/topics/automation/ansible-vs-salt) * [Ansible vs. Chef: What you need to know](/en/topics/automation/ansible-vs-chef) * [Ansible vs. Terraform](/en/topics/automation/ansible-vs-terraform) * [What is IT service management (ITSM)?](/en/topics/automation/what-is-it-service-management-itsm) * [Automating Microsoft Windows with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](/en/technologies/management/ansible/automate-microsoft-windows-with-ansible) * [What is DevOps automation?](/en/topics/automation/what-is-devops-automation) * [What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?](/en/topics/automation/what-is-infrastructure-as-code-iac) * [Ansible vs. Kubernetes: how they work together](/en/topics/automation/Ansible-vs-Kubernetes) * [What is a configuration management database (CMDB)?](/en/topics/automation/what-is-a-configuration-management-database-cmdb) * [What is cloud migration? 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