As the rise of multi-cloud setups has occurred in recent years, many organizations have begun migrations from Azure to AWS. The latter has a broader market share and appeals specifically to certain use cases, which has been a big driver of the change.
However, making such a migration is not easy and requires plenty of planning in advance to complete successfully. Learn the common mistakes all businesses should avoid during the migration process to enjoy the cost benefits of AWS and to ensure a smooth migration.
Underestimating the Complexity of Re-Architecture
The first mistake many businesses make when migrating over to AWS is simply underestimating how complicated the re-architecture process will be. Many assume that workloads can just be lifted and shifted directly, but this often leads to performance and cost issues.
There are differences in Azure vs. AWS services such as VM sizing, storage tiers, networking, and more, which means re-evaluation is often required.
There are re-architect tasks that must be handled for the migration, such as replacing Azure Functions with AWS Lambda, so don’t overlook the time and effort that these tasks will take.
Poor Cost Planning and Budget Overruns
Another mistake that many businesses make is making the migration without analyzing different pricing models (like AWS EC2 vs. Azure VM), which can lead to surprise bills.
Billing cycles, reserved instances, data transfer costs, and more can all differ between Azure and AWS. This means you need to integrate cost modeling tools and AWS pricing calculators into your organization when making the migration.
Ignoring Identity & Access Management (IAM) Differences
The Azure Active Directory and AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) work very differently. The common mistake with thinking they’re the same is that people assume roles, policies, and groups will transfer as a result. To avoid this mistake, establish AWS IAM roles early, map access needs carefully, and use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) or AD federation where applicable.
Not Testing Enough Before Go-Live
Rushing to production without doing any sandbox testing will inevitably lead to performance, availability, and security issues.
You should aim to stress-test different workloads in staging environments on AWS, as well as consider migrating only certain divisions at a time, in order to avoid overloading everything. Also, take the time to validate cloud-native configurations (e.g., autoscaling, availability zones, and database compatibility).
Overlooking Security & Compliance Differences
Azure and AWS have different approaches to encryption, logging, and security policies. Another common mistake made when migrating over to AWS is that organizations often assume that security controls will carry over automatically.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. You should audit your current security controls using AWS-native tools such as CloudTrail, GuardDuty, and Config, which can help you adjust all your current security measures to be compatible with AWS.
Neglecting Data Transfer and Latency Considerations
You should never just assume that data will move between Azure and AWS without any transfer issues or slowdowns. Large-scale data transfers can naturally lead to unexpected latency, timeouts, and excessive transfer fees, which should all be expected.
Some of the most commonly seen issues include mismatched data formats between Azure and AWS, differences in object storage protocols, and misconducted network settings.
Try to use migration tools like AWS DataSync, Snowball, or CloudEndure for any large or sensitive datasets that you may have to transfer. Always plan around data gravity and keep your dependent services in close proximity to avoid bottlenecks.
Failing to Train Teams on AWS Tools and Services
No organization should automatically assume that all of its team will be intimately familiar with AWS from the start, especially after years of being in an Azure environment.
Making this assumption is the last common mistake that can impact your organization when migrating over. There will be key differences in interfaces, CLI commands, service names, and configuration options that can all create confusion for your teams.
To avoid this, invest in AWS-specific training and certification for your DevOps, security, and cloud architects. Additional resources like AWS Skill Builder and third-party platforms can be utilized to ensure your employees’ skills are adequate as well.
Conduct a Successful Migration to AWS
Through careful planning, testing, and adaptation to platform-specific requirements, you can ensure your move to AWS from Azure is both smooth and successful. This can unlock both flexibility and scalability, but only when common pitfalls are avoided.
If you’ve never conducted a migration to this magnitude or have concerns regarding the operational functions of your business before, during, or after the migration, reach out for expert help with the process.
