Lesson 1Data cataloging and normalization: building spreadsheets or CMDB entries, tagging strategy for migration prioritizationWe dive into how to list servers, apps, and data in neat lists or CMDB systems. You'll learn about standardising names, labels, and tags to help group migrations, track who owns what, and manage things well after moving to AWS.
Setting up inventory sheets and CMDB areasStandardising app and system namesSetting ownership, importance, and service levelsCreating tag systems that fit AWSTagging for migration groups and prioritiesLesson 2Two discovery tools researched: AWS Application Discovery Service and VMware vRealize Network Insight — how to use each for inventory, dependency mapping, and export formatsWe explore AWS Application Discovery Service and VMware Aria Operations for Networks. You'll see how to set them up, gather data, map connections, and export info to feed into AWS Migration Hub and other planning tools.
Setting up AWS Application Discovery ServiceGathering data without agents and with agents in ADSInstalling VMware Aria Operations for NetworksCreating connection maps and flow picturesSending inventories to AWS Migration HubLesson 3Interview guide for stakeholders: app owners, DBAs, network, security, operations, business stakeholdersBuild a proper interview plan for tech and business folks. Learn the right questions for app owners, database admins, network teams, security, operations, and business people to spot hidden links and migration hurdles.
Finding key tech and business people involvedPreparing questions tailored to each roleRunning good discovery meetings and talksChecking findings with more interviewsNoting decisions, risks, and unsolved mattersLesson 4Storage and I/O characteristics: datastore types, IOPS, throughput, shares, deduplication, backup schedulesGet to grips with storage and input/output features that shape AWS plans. Document data store kinds, performance details, deduplication, and backup times to pick the best EBS, EFS, or FSx choices and rules.
Sorting data store and array kinds in useMeasuring IOPS, throughput, and delay profilesSpotting storage levels, quality of service, and share setupsNoting snapshots, backups, and keeping periodsMatching storage needs to AWS servicesLesson 5Collecting server and VM inventory: CPU, memory, storage, OS versions, VM tools, snapshotsFind out how to gather full details on servers and virtual machines from VMware and guest systems. Note CPU, memory, storage, OS versions, tools, and snapshots to help resize properly, check compatibility, and plan moves to AWS.
Gathering CPU, memory, and NUMA detailsNoting disk setup, data store, and space dataRecording OS versions, types, and updatesSpotting VMware Tools status and versionsFinding snapshots and lost VM itemsLesson 6Application and tier dependencies: web, app, DB processes, inter-host ports, service mapsLearn to spot and record app layers and their links across web, application, and database parts. Understand ports, protocols, and service maps needed to safely shift workloads to AWS without issues.
Spotting web, app, and database layersNoting links between layers, ports, and protocolsBuilding full service link mapsFinding hidden batch jobs and background workNoting calls to outside third-party servicesLesson 7Operational procedures and runbooks: backup/restore, patching, deployment, escalation pathsLook over current daily procedures and guides that keep on-premises workloads running well. Turn backup, patching, deployment, and escalation ways into needs and limits for AWS setups and operations.
Listing backup and restore stepsNoting patching and upkeep flowsCapturing deployment and release stepsUnderstanding monitoring and alert guidesMapping escalation paths and shift rotationsLesson 8Network topology and connectivity: VLANs, subnets, routing, firewalls, NAT, load balancersLearn to document your current network layout, including VLANs, subnets, routing, and security parts. See how this info shapes AWS VPC plans, connection choices, and security group plus NACL approaches.
Mapping VLANs, subnets, and IP rangesNoting routing, VRFs, and main gatewaysCapturing firewall, NAT, and ACL setupsSpotting load balancers and VIP linksLinking on-premises networks to AWS VPC plansLesson 9Assumptions to state explicitly when gaps exist: sample load, unavailable metrics, maintenance windows, licensing constraintsFind out how to note and share assumptions when discovery info is not complete. Capture sample loads, missing measures, upkeep times, and licensing limits to handle risks and set expectations with stakeholders.
Spotting missing or shaky data spotsDefining traffic and load sample assumptionsStating upkeep and outage time limitsCapturing licensing and support limitsRecording risks and follow-up checksLesson 10Scripts and manual techniques: PowerCLI, govc, vSphere API calls, Linux/Windows commands to collect configurationLearn scripts and hands-on ways to pull VMware and OS setups when tools are few. Use PowerCLI, govc, vSphere APIs, and OS commands to make solid lists and check automated results.
Using PowerCLI to export VM setupsUsing govc and vSphere REST APIsRunning Linux commands for system listsRunning Windows commands for system listsChecking manual data against tool resultsLesson 11Database specifics: engine, version, schema size, transaction rates, replication, maintenance windowsFocus on database discovery across different engines and platforms. Note engine type, version, schema size, transaction speeds, and replication to guide AWS database service picks and migration plans.
Listing database engines and versionsMeasuring schema size and growth patternsCapturing transaction and query speed measuresNoting replication and high availability setupsSpotting upkeep and backup timesLesson 12Usage and performance metrics: CPU/memory utilization, latency, throughput, peak patterns, retention windowsLearn to gather and make sense of usage and performance measures for VMware workloads. Use CPU, memory, I/O, and delay data to resize AWS instances right, plan storage performance, and spot peak and seasonal patterns.
Spotting main sources for measure dataCapturing CPU and memory use baselinesMeasuring disk IOPS, throughput, and delayAnalysing network throughput and connection numbersSpotting peaks, seasons, and keeping needsLesson 13Third-party tool options overview: Cloudamize and Turbonomic use cases for TCO, sizing, and migration prioritizationLook at third-party discovery and optimisation tools like Cloudamize and Turbonomic. Understand their strong points for total cost analysis, sizing, and migration priorities, and how to blend their outputs into AWS plans.
Cloudamize features and data gatheringTurbonomic workload optimisation toolsComparing sizing advice across toolsUsing tools for TCO and cost modelsSending results to migration listsLesson 14Security and compliance artifacts: ACLs, firewall rules, encryption, logs, audit trails, identity storesFind out how to list security and compliance items that affect migration. Document ACLs, firewall rules, encryption, logging, and identity stores to plan secure AWS setups and control matches.
Listing firewall rules and security zonesNoting ACLs, security groups, and NACLsSpotting encryption ways and key handlingReviewing logging, SIEM, and audit needsMapping identity stores and access waysLesson 15Discovery methods and evidence sources: agentless queries, hypervisor APIs, SNMP, syslogs, perf counters, interviewsExplore discovery ways and proof sources for VMware setups. Compare agentless scans, hypervisor APIs, SNMP, logs, and interviews, and learn to mix them into a repeatable, checkable discovery process.
Using vCenter and hypervisor API linksUsing agentless OS and network scansGathering SNMP, syslog, and performance counter dataLinking logs with setup proofMixing automated discovery with interviews
