How to Migrate VMware Virtual Machines (VMs) to AWS

Do You Need to Migrate VMware to AWS

VMware is a leading type-1 hypervisor that allows businesses to run multiple virtual machines on a single physical server. AWS, on the other hand, is a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides a wide range of services, including computing power, storage, and networking capabilities. Combining these technologies can significantly optimize your IT operations.

Migrating VMware to AWS offers several advantages:

• Scalability: AWS provides scalable resources that can be adjusted based on demand.
• Cost Efficiency: Pay-as-you-go pricing models help reduce capital expenses.
• High Availability: AWS ensures high availability with multiple data centers and redundancy.
• Enhanced Security: AWS offers robust security features and compliance certifications.

This guide provides a detailed roadmap for migrating your VMware workloads to AWS, covering key steps and best practices.

Pre-Migration Considerations

Before starting the migration process, consider the following:

• Evaluate your current VMware environment to determine which workloads are suitable for migration.
• Perform a cost analysis to compare current expenses with potential AWS costs.
• Ensure your team has the necessary skills for AWS management or consider training and certification.
• Identify any sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

How to Migrate a VMware Virtual Machine to AWS [Best Practice]

There are two methods for migrating from VMware to AWS:

☞ Install the necessary software, build new instances with the necessary operating system, and move databases, configuration settings, etc. from source servers

☞ Move an existing virtual machine (VM) using AWS services.

VMware vSphere environments can migrate their virtual machines (VMs) to AWS using Amazon's tools. The AWS Server Migration Service (AWS SMS) with Server Migration Connector is a popular method for this process. This technique allows for the migration of multiple VMs simultaneously, eliminating the need for manual setup for each VM. AWS SMS supports mass VM migration.

The AWS Server Migration Connector, a virtual appliance installed in vCenter, provides integrated support for VMware to AWS migration. No migration agents are needed for VMware VMs. Features include scheduled migration, incremental replication for data changes, and more.

VMware to AWS Migration Using AWS Server Migration Connector

The AWS Server Migration Connector is a free service that automates the migration of virtual machines from VMware environments to AWS.

The primary steps of the workflow are as follows:

• Step1: Establishing an IAM user
• Step 2: Setting up the AWS Server Migration Service Interface
• Step 3: Setting up the Amazon Server Migration Service

Step 1. Establishing an IAM user

Note: In order to migrate a virtual machine, you must first add a new user and grant them the ServerMigrationConnector role (for security reasons).

1. Launch the Amazon Management Console.

2. Navigate to Services > Identity & Compliance > IAM > Security.

* Alternatively, you may enter IAM into the Services menu's search field.

3. Click Users > Add user on the Identity and Access Management (IAM) screen that appears. Adding an IAM user in order to migrate VMware to Amazon.

4. Configure user information:

• Type in a user name, such as migration or SMS.
• Click Next: Permissions.

5. Attach a policy to the individual. A policy can be directly attached to a person or through a group. Since our tutorial only uses one migration user, we apply a policy directly.

• On the Set permissions box, click immediately Attach existing policies.
• In the search bar (Filter policies), type ServerMigrationConnector, then choose the ServerMigrationConnector policy.
• Select Next: Tags to proceed.

• At this stage, you can add tags (optional) and go on to the Review phase.

6. Examine your setup with the user in mind. If everything checks out, click Create user.

7. The Success message informing you that the user creation process was successful should appear. The access key ID and secret access key should be copied and stored in a secure location. Click the "Download.scv" button to store login information for migrating a VMware virtual machine to AWS

8. When finished, click Close.

Step 2. Setting Up the AWS Server Migration Service Interface

After setting up an IAM user with the necessary permissions, install the AWS SMS Connector. It is provided as an OVA template for deploying a VM in VMware vSphere, functioning as a virtual appliance.

1. Navigate to Server Migration under Services > Migration.

2. After selecting "Download OVA," save the OVA file to your computer. Use VMware vCenter to deploy the OVA file.

3. Configure the network settings for the connector VM to ensure it can communicate with both your on-premises environment and AWS.

4. After deployment, access the connector's web interface using the provided URL. Use the IAM credentials created earlier to register the connector with your AWS account.

Step 3. Setting Up the Amazon Server Migration Service

With the AWS Server Migration Connector deployed and registered, the final step is to configure the Amazon Server Migration Service to initiate and manage the migration process.

1. In the AWS SMS console, connect to your VMware vCenter. Choose the virtual machines you wish to migrate. You can select individual VMs or multiple VMs depending on your

2. Create replication jobs for the selected VMs. Configure the replication frequency, which determines how often the VMs' data is replicated to AWS.

Choose the AWS region where you want to replicate the VMs. Ensure the region is appropriate for your workload and compliance requirements.

3. Initiate the replication process. The AWS Server Migration Service will start copying the VM data to AWS and create incremental backups based on the configured frequency.

Use the SMS console to monitor the progress of the replication jobs. The console provides detailed logs and status updates for each replication job.

4. Once the initial replication is complete, the AWS Server Migration Service will convert the replicated VMs into AMIs. These AMIs can be used to launch instances in AWS.

Launch the migrated instances in AWS from the created AMIs. Test the instances to ensure they function correctly and that all applications and services are running as expected.

These steps ensure that your VMware VMs are successfully migrated to AWS, leveraging the full capabilities of the AWS cloud infrastructure.

How to Transfer VMware Virtual Machine to AWS

Professional VM Backup software plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and recoverability of virtual machines. It captures a point-in-time state of the entire VM, offering independent backups that facilitate fast and complete VM recovery. However, the high cost and limited accessibility of many professional VMware backup solutions can be a barrier for some users.

AOMEI Cyber Backup, a free VMware backup software that simplifies the process of backup VMware ESXi to AWS. It offers a range of features that streamline backup operations and provide peace of mind.

🐱‍💻 Fast and Complete Recovery: With independent backups, you can recover your VMs swiftly from Amazon S3, minimizing downtime and data loss.
💡 Scheduled Backups: Automatically backup VMware ESXi backups to Amazon S3, reducing manual intervention and the risk of oversight.
📝 Centralized Management: Manage your backups from a single, user-friendly interface, simplifying the backup process.
🎊 Various Storage Options: Backs up data to multiple destinations including local disks, external drives, NAS, and cloud services like Amazon S3.

AOMEI Cyber Backup provides a free, accessible, and feature-rich solution for VMware backup. It empowers users to protect not only their virtual environments, but also physical environments, SQL databases, and more, making it ideal for businesses data backup.

---

Download AOMEI Cyber Backup and start backing up VMware virtual machines easily today.

*You can choose to install this VM backup software on either Windows or Linux system.

Steps for Auto VMware Backup to AWS Easily

1. Bind Devices: Launch AOMEI Cyber Backup web client, navigate to Source Device > VMware> + Add VMware Device to add vCenter or Standalone ESXi hosts as the source device. And then click … > Bind Device.

2. Create Backup Task: Navigate to Backup Task > + Create New Task, and then set it up according to your needs.

• Device: cover multiple VMs on the host in one backup task.
• Target: selecting to back up to a local path, or to a network path. Used paths will be saved in Favorite Storage for handy selection.
• Archive: check "Archiving backup version to Amazon S3" and Select a S3 bucket.

• Schedule: choosing to perform full, differential or incremental backup, and automate execution daily, weekly or monthly according to the frequency you specified.

3. Start Backup: Click Start Backup and select Add the schedule and start backup now or Add the schedule only.

📢 While the Free Edition covers most of VM backup needs, you can also upgrade to enjoy advanced features:
Batch VM Backup: batch backup large numbers of VMs managed by vCenter Server or on standalone ESXi hosts.
Backup cleanup: Configure a retention policy to auto delete old backup files and save storage space.
Restore to new location: Create a new VM in the same or another datastore/host directly from the backup, saves the trouble of re-configuring the new VM.

💡 To manage your archive tasks of VMware ESXi backups to S3 in "Backup Archive". For example, stop archiving, re-enable archiving, pause all archiving and start all archiving.

• Archive all backup versions: Start archiving from the first version of the backup task.
• Archiving from the last full backup version: The last full backup refers to the most recent complete copy of all data. Starting archiving from the last full backup means performing archiving operations based on this backup version, not starting from previous incremental or differential backup versions.
• Archiving from the next full backup version: Starting archiving from the next full backup version means that when the next full backup is performed, this version will be set as the new starting point for archiving operations.

A reliable backup tool ensures that you can swiftly restore your virtual machines in case of data loss, system failures, or disasters.

Q: How long does it take to migrate VMware to AWS?
A: The duration of the migration process depends on the complexity and size of your VMware environment. A detailed assessment and well-structured migration plan can help expedite the process.

Conclusion

Migrating from VMware to AWS using the AWS Server Migration Connector is a structured process that requires careful planning and execution. By establishing an IAM user, setting up the AWS Server Migration Service interface, and configuring the Amazon Server Migration Service, you can ensure a smooth and efficient migration. This guide provides the necessary steps to facilitate the migration, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. Embrace the power of AWS to enhance your IT infrastructure, achieve cost savings, and gain scalability and flexibility for your workloads.