AWS Cloud Migration: Benefits, Challenges, and Roadmap

Romana Shevchenko

Staff Writer

Limited scalability, high maintenance costs, and outdated hardware can stifle any business. That’s why many companies are turning to the cloud, with AWS emerging as a popular choice. But is cloud migration the right answer for every business? What are the real advantages? Are there hidden pitfalls to watch out for?

In this interview with Stepan Slyshov, a seasoned AWS architect, we’ll shed light on AWS cloud migration, exploring the real benefits, potential challenges, and a step-by-step approach to a smooth transition.

What are the most common reasons for infrastructure migration to AWS cloud?

The decision to move to the cloud depends on many factors – your business type, industry, and specific needs. However, I think organizations find AWS attractive for several reasons:

Extensive range of services. AWS boasts a vast library of cloud services covering nearly any business need – from computing and storage to advanced analytics and machine learning. Having access to all these services allows companies to tailor their cloud environments to precisely meet their needs.
Effortless scalability. Scaling resources up or down to meet fluctuating demands is fast and easy. Whether you need a surge in processing power or want to optimize costs during downtime, AWS accommodates your needs with exceptionally high scalability limits.
Cost efficiency. AWS operates on a pay-as-you-go pricing ensuring that you pay only for the resources you use. This granular billing strategy provides more predictable budgeting and helps businesses avoid high upfront expenses, ultimately leading to significant cost savings.
Reduced maintenance burden. Many AWS services are fully managed, so you don’t have to worry about tasks like server patching, security updates, and database maintenance.
Reliable and secure infrastructure. Due to its enormous size and assets, AWS offers a highly reliable infrastructure with multiple layers of security built-in. Geographically distributed data centers ensure that your data is always protected and accessible, even in the event of hardware failures or natural disasters.

What are the key steps to prepare for an infrastructure migration to AWS?

When migrating your infrastructure to AWS, it’s crucial to prepare thoroughly to ensure a smooth transition. Here are some essential steps to take before getting started:

Review and assess your current setup. Start by thoroughly evaluating your existing on-premises infrastructure – hardware, software, applications, dependencies, and overall architecture. Analyze how well things are running, how much resources you’re using, and how much it costs now. Understanding your current situation will help you choose the best AWS options for your needs.
Outline your migration goals. Clearly define the business objectives you aim to achieve through the migration. Is it increased agility, cost optimization, improved scalability, or something else? Having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve will help you to see whether the migration addresses your needs.
Train your team if necessary. Make sure your team has the skills to handle the cloud. If they’re new to AWS, consider training (online courses, workshops) or even hiring some AWS experts to help out.
Research available tools and services. AWS has a ton of options, so find the ones that fit your needs best. Research and pick the AWS services and migration tools that best align with your applications and infrastructure requirements.
Compare costs. You can use the AWS Pricing Calculator to compare and estimate the potential costs associated with your chosen services. The cost analysis will help you create a budget and identify potential cost-saving opportunities.
Select migration strategy. Choose an appropriate migration strategy based on your specific requirements and objectives. AWS offers various migration approaches, often referred to as the “7Rs,” tailored to different scenarios and use cases. You can refer to the AWS Guide for large migrations for in-depth guidance on selecting the right strategy for your migration project.

What steps does the AWS cloud migration plan consist of?

While the specifics may vary based on your chosen strategy, the size of your infrastructure, and the applications involved, an AWS cloud migration plan generally follows these steps:

Map out your migration journey. Develop a detailed migration plan with defined timelines and an order of application migrations, including any dependencies between them. Don’t forget to prepare a solid rollback plan in case anything unexpected happens during the move.
Develop the final infrastructure design. Design your AWS infrastructure with specific attention to workload requirements and future scalability needs. Select appropriate AWS services (compute, storage) and configure them to meet your application demands.
Start small and test often. Begin with migrating a small, non-critical portion of your infrastructure as a proof of concept (POC) to test the chosen migration strategy and tools.
Execute the migration. Gradually migrate workloads in phases, starting with non-critical components. After each phase, test and validate everything to ensure smooth operation and minimal disruption.
Post-migration validation. Once the core migration is complete, perform comprehensive testing of all migrated components to ensure they are functioning correctly in the new environment.
Normal operation and optimization. After a successful migration, focus on optimizing your AWS environment. Analyze resource usage and implement best practices to fine-tune your cloud infrastructure.

What challenges can developers face during the migration to AWS?

Migrating to AWS may present various challenges. From my experience, I can highlight the following difficulties that developers often encounter:

Adjusting existing solutions. Some parts of your existing system might need adjustments to fit the new cloud environment. This can involve rewriting code or refactoring applications. There’s also the possibility of vendor lock-in, where you become reliant on AWS-specific features.
Knowledge gap. If your team is new to AWS, there’s a learning curve. Some developers may need training or courses to get acquainted with new AWS tools and services. The sheer number of AWS services, often with similar functionalities, can also be overwhelming, especially when choosing the right one for the job.
Data security. When it comes to moving data, there’s a long list of demands to meet, from ensuring top-notch security and encryption to speed and auditability.
Minimizing downtime. Nobody likes downtime, especially during a migration. Finding ways to keep things up and running smoothly can be a bit challenging as well.
Monitoring and alerting. Once you’ve migrated, setting up monitoring, logging, and alerting systems for your new AWS infrastructure is essential to visibility into how everything is running and promptly identify and address any issues.

What are the main things to pay attention to while migrating the app infrastructure to the cloud?

I believe there are several key considerations to keep in mind:

Cost Comparison

Make sure to compare the costs of running your application on the cloud with the same Service Level Agreement (SLA) as your current setup. Sometimes, what looks like a cost-saving move might end up burning a hole in your pocket.

Tool Compatibility

Not all your existing tools and technologies will magically work in the cloud. Check whether your current tools are supported on your chosen cloud platform and whether there are managed alternatives offered by the cloud provider. Managed services can save you time and resources on maintenance.

Minimizing Downtime

Consider whether you can afford downtime during the migration process or if it’s possible to migrate smoothly without any noticeable interruptions to your clients

Data Security and Compliance

Pay close attention to data security and synchronization, especially if your application deals with personal data. Ensure compliance with legal requirements and implement robust security measures.

Backup and Rollback Plan

Before starting the migration, backup all your data and have a solid rollback plan in place, so that you can revert to the previous state if anything goes wrong during the migration process.

Avoid Vendor Lock-in

Where possible, opt for solutions that allow for flexibility and interoperability to avoid being tied to a single provider in the long run.

It’s a good idea to try it out with a small, scaled version of your app. Keep it running for some time, stress test it, integrate it with your current setup, and so on. This will give you a lot of understanding of what it will take for the whole infrastructure to migrate. After doing this, you might even realize that migration is not your best option, which can potentially save you both time and resources in the long run.

Summing up

When considering the migration of your on-premise infrastructure to AWS, it’s important to approach the decision thoughtfully. Take your time to research different options, test services, and weigh the pros and cons carefully. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions that align with your company’s goals and needs.