Migration Strategies Demystified: What are the Types of Cloud Migration

The types of cloud migration are as follows-

• Lift and Shift (Rehosting)

Lift and Shift means moving your stuff to the cloud as it is, without changing much.

The pros of Lift and Shift are as follows-

1. Quick and Easy: Fast migration without big changes.
2. Saves Money: Initial cost savings by just moving things.
3. No Big Changes: Don’t mess with how things work now.
4. Works with Cloud Features: Gets you basic cloud benefits right away.
5. No Disruptions: Don’t mess up your current way of doing things.

The cons of Lift and Shift are as follows-

1. Misses Some Cloud Perks: Doesn’t use all the cool cloud features.
2. Can Be Inefficient: Might not work as fast as it could on the cloud.
3. Might Cost More: Could miss out on saving money by not changing things.
4. Not Super Scalable: Can’t grow as easily as other cloud setups.
5. Misses Some Savings: Might not save as much money as other methods.

Example: Moving your computer stuff to the cloud without changing anything.

• Replatforming (Lift, Tinker, and Shift)

Lift, Tinker, and Shift means moving your stuff to the cloud and making a few tweaks to fit better.

The pros of Lift, Tinker and Shift are as follows-

1. Works Better: Makes your apps work a bit better in the cloud.
2. Saves Some Cash: Can be more cost-effective than big changes.
3. Grows Easier: This can make your apps grow better in the cloud.
4. Uses Some Cloud Perks: Gets you a taste of cool cloud features.
5. Faster Change: Faster than big changes, but still good.

The cons of Lift, Tinker and Shift are as follows-

1. Not Optimized: Still doesn’t use all the cool cloud things.
2. Might Be Tricky: Changes can cause some issues.
3. Could Cost More: Not as cheap as bigger changes.
4. Can Get Complex: Things might get a bit more complicated.
5. Not Fully New: Doesn’t get all the newest cloud stuff.

Example: Moving your old files to a better storage system in the cloud.

• Refactoring (Re-architecting)

Refactoring means changing your apps a lot to work super well in the cloud.

The pros of Refactoring are as follows-

1. Works Great: Apps are made to be awesome in the cloud.
2. Saves Cash: Does things in the cheapest way possible.
3. Grows Easily: Uses all the cloud’s growing powers.
4. Super Cool Tech: Uses all the newest and best cloud stuff.
5. Ready for the Future: Your apps will be awesome for a long time.

The cons of Refactoring are as follows-

1. Takes Time: Needs more planning and doing.
2. Costs More at First: Might be expensive at the beginning.
3. Can Be Tricky: Changes might cause some downtime.
4. Needs Smart People: You need cloud experts to do this.
5. Could Be Too Much: Might make things too complicated.

Example: Changing your old app into a super-modern one that works great on the cloud.

• Rearchitecting and Rebuilding (Revise and Rebuild)

Rearchitecting and Rebuilding means starting from scratch and making a new app that’s perfect for the cloud.

The pros of Rearchitecting and Rebuilding are as follows-

1. Super Fast: Makes things super perfect for the cloud.
2. Saves a Lot: Costs less in the long run.
3. Grows Perfectly: Uses the cloud’s growing powers fully.
4. Super Cool Tech: Uses all the newest and best cloud stuff.
5. Made Just for You: Customized for exactly what you need.

The cons of Rearchitecting and Rebuilding are as follows-

1. Takes Time: Needs more planning and doing.
2. Costs a Lot at First: Might be expensive in the beginning.
3. Can Be Tricky: Changes might cause some downtime.
4. Needs Smart People: You need cloud experts to do this.
5. Could Be Too Much: Might make things too complicated.

Example: Making a brand new app that works perfectly on the cloud without old baggage.

• Retiring (Decommissioning)

Retiring means saying goodbye to old stuff that you don’t need anymore.

The pros of Retiring are as follows-

1. Saves Money: Stops paying for old stuff you don’t use.
2. Simpler Stuff: Makes your new place less complicated.
3. Safer: Gets rid of old things that could cause problems.
4. Focus on Important Things: Let you pay more attention to what matters.
5. Following the Rules: Helps you stick to the rules about data and privacy.

The cons of Retiring are as follows-

1. Moving Data is Tricky: Need to be careful when moving important info.
2. Some Things Depend on Each Other: Some stuff might rely on things you want to retire.
3. Need to Explain: People might not like losing access to some things.
4. Could Lose Features: Some things might not work the same way in the new place.
5. Change is Hard: People might not like the changes.

Example: Turning off old computers and software you don’t use anymore.

• Retaining (Not Migrating)

Retaining means deciding to keep some things where they are and not moving them to the cloud.

The pros of Retaining are as follows-

1. Things Stay the Same: Keeps your stuff how it is.
2. Saves Money: Avoids the costs of moving things.
3. No Big Changes: Nothing gets disrupted.
4. Less Risk: No risks of messing up things during migration.
5. Your Choice: Maybe you have good reasons to keep things where they are.

The cons of Retaining are as follows-

1. Miss Out on Cloud Perks: Don’t get the cool things the cloud offers.
2. Less Flexible: Can’t change things easily to adapt to new needs.
3. Using Old Tech: Might stick with old technology for too long.
4. Can’t Grow Easily: Not as easy to grow compared to cloud options.
5. Security Might Lag: Misses out on advanced cloud security features.

Example: Keeping your important data on your computers instead of in the cloud.

• Hybrid Cloud

A Hybrid Cloud means using a mix of your computers and the cloud for different things.

The pros of Hybrid Cloud are as follows-

1. Fits Your Needs: Balances your own computers and cloud computers.
2. Can Grow Easily: Can use more cloud space when needed.
3. Saves Money: Uses both your own computers and cloud space smartly.
4. You Control Some Data: Keeps important data on your computers.
5. Good for Disasters: Helps a lot if something bad happens.

The cons of Hybrid Cloud are as follows-

1. Bit Complicated: Managing both your computers and cloud stuff can get tricky.
2. Sometimes Hard to Mix: Connecting your computers and the cloud might be a bit tough at times.
3. Need to Be Careful with Security: Making sure everything is safe can be a challenge.
4. Need Smart People: You will need people who know both your computers and the cloud.
5. Costs Some Extra Money: Might need to pay more for managing both.

Example: Using your computers for some things and cloud services for others, like keeping your important files on your computer and running a website on the cloud.