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System migration involves transferring data and programs from one computer system to another, either through physical migration or data-driven migration. Outdated hardware and operating systems can make a system obsolete, requiring migration to maintain competitiveness. Migration software can automate the process, but downtime may occur. Gradual migration can minimize disruption.
System migration is the act of transferring data and programs from one computer system to another. This may involve physical system migration, when old hardware devices are no longer able to meet the needs of the system or these components have been damaged. It can also take the form of a data-driven migration, where files and data are transferred to a new operating system.
As technology advances, hardware and operating systems become outdated and limited. A system that is initially on the edge of new technology sometimes becomes obsolete within a few years. Many businesses and organizations find that the software and hardware used in their mainframe computing systems are unable to compete with modern network server systems. To maintain a competitive edge, it is sometimes necessary to migrate archived information, such as data and programs, to a newer system.
When the system migration is purely data-driven, the transition to the upgraded system only requires data transmission. Migration software is available to automate the process for many computer operating systems. With advances in software engineering, many modern programs will run in a backward compatible mode. These programs are capable of reading and writing older data files or converting them into a usable format. In some cases, even older programs need to be ported to ensure data accessibility in file systems that have no modern equivalent.
A physical system migration is the transfer of the entire system, including data and programs, to a new physical computer. This procedure is often required when replacement parts are no longer available or economically feasible for aging mainframe computer systems. In some cases, the outdated system is unable to meet reasonable processing requirements and requires updates. Rather than investing in upgrading or repairing an outdated and limited mainframe system, some businesses and organizations purchase a new network server system. The entire operating system is then cloned to the new system. The data and programming files are then also transferred to the new server.
Physical and data-driven system migrations can be prone to downtime, a period during the transition when system files cannot be accessed. To minimize downtime, information technology (IT) professionals generally recommend that software maintenance, proper backups, and alternate file access planning be in place during major system changes. In some situations, gradual system migration is used to move groups of files over a period of time to avoid total productivity disruption.
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