Migration | AWS Server Migration Service

Question 1

How do I get started with AWS Server Migration Service?

General

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 1

Use the wizard in the AWS Server Migration Service dashboard of the AWS Management Console. Visit the Getting Started Guide for more details, including how to replicate a server.

Question 2

What is the output of AWS Server Migration Service?

General

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 2

Each server volume replicated is saved as a new Amazon Machine Image (AMI), which can be launched as an EC2 instance (virtual machine) in the AWS cloud.

Question 3

What kind of servers can be migrated to AWS using AWS Server Migration Service?

General

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 3

Currently, you can migrate virtual machines from VMware vSphere and Windows Hyper-V to AWS using AWS Server Migration Service.

Question 4

In what Regions is AWS Server Migration Service available?

General

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 4

Refer to the Region Table.

Question 5

How do I track the status of the migration?

General

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 5

Visit the AWS Server Migration Service dashboard in the AWS Management Console to see the status of the replication.

Question 6

What operating systems does AWS Server Migration Service support?

General

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 6

AWS Server Migration Service supports migrating Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, and 2016, and Windows 7, 8, and 10; Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), SUSE/SLES, CentOS, Ubuntu, Oracle Linux, Fedora, and Debian Linux operating systems. Learn more.

Question 7

How long can I replicate my server volumes from on-premises to AWS?

General

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 7

You can replicate your on-premises servers to AWS for up to 90 days (per server). Usage time is calculated from the time a server replication begins until you terminate the replication job. After 90 days, your replication job will be automatically terminated. If you want to increase this limit, please discuss your use case with the AWS Support team.

Question 8

What is the difference between EC2 VM Import and AWS Server Migration Service?

AWS Server Migration Service Connector

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 8

AWS Server Migration Service is a significant enhancement of EC2 VM Import. The AWS Server Migration Service provides automated, live incremental server replication and AWS Console support. For customers using EC2 VM Import for migration, we recommend using AWS Server Migration Service.

Question 9

What is the AWS Server Migration Service Connector?

AWS Server Migration Service Connector

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 9

The connector appliance is a pre-configured FreeBSD virtual machine (in OVA format). To set up AWS Server Migration Service, you need to first deploy the AWS Server Migration Service Connector virtual appliance on your on-premises VMware vCenter environment.

Question 10

How many AWS Server Migration Service Connectors do I need to install?

AWS Server Migration Service Connector

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 10

You need to install one AWS Server Migration Service Connector for each VMware vCenter environment.

Question 11

What permissions does the AWS Server Migration Service Connector require from VMware vCenter?

AWS Server Migration Service Connector

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 11

At minimum, the AWS Server Migration Service Connector requires the ability to create and delete snapshots on VMs that need to be migrated to AWS. Learn more.

Question 12

Can I use a proxy for communicating with the AWS Server Migration Service?

Security

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 12

Yes. The AWS Server Migration Service Connector supports password-based proxy; it does not support NTLM-based proxy.

Question 13

Are server volumes securely transferred from my data center to AWS?

Security

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 13

Yes. Replicated server volumes are encrypted in transit by Transport Layer Security (TLS).

Question 14

What data does the AWS Server Migration Service Connector capture from VMware vCenter?

Security

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 14

The AWS Server Migration Service Connector captures VM inventory information from VMware vCenter and replicates server volumes to AWS.

Question 15

How do I update the AWS Server Migration Service Connector?

Security

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 15

Updates are automatically downloaded and applied when you enable the auto-upgrade option; otherwise, they can be applied on-demand.

Question 16

Is it secure to deploy the AWS Server Migration Service Connector on my virtualization environment?

Security

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 16

Yes, the AWS Server Migration Service Connector only captures basic VM inventory information and snapshots of server volumes from VMware vCenter and does not gather any sensitive information.

Question 17

Where are my replicated server volumes stored?

Support

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 17

Your replicated server volumes are converted to AMIs and stored in your AWS account.

Question 18

Does AWS Premium Support cover AWS Server Migration Service?

Support

AWS Server Migration Service | Migration

Answer 18

Yes, AWS Premium Support covers issues related to your use of the AWS Server Migration Service. Learn more.