Simplify VM Migration: Transition to Scale Computing™ from Any Platform
Migration Options for Seamless Transition to Scale Computing
Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) is rapidly replacing traditional virtualization infrastructure for primary data center computing, edge computing, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). As HCI continues to grow and evolve, it's becoming clearer who the real players are and who the pretenders are.
Scale Computing edge solutions not only lead HCI and virtualization solutions in reviews and ratings, but our unique patented architectures and technologies are changing how IT teams think about how infrastructure can be flexible enough to meet almost any challenge. Purchasing your new Scale Computing system is a great opportunity to start with a newer OS version, application version, and/or to configure the storage and resources you need for better performance and efficiency.
IT migration projects often encompass numerous components and demands that are tailored to an organization's unique requirements. Every migration is distinct, and when transitioning to a new infrastructure, it's important to dedicate sufficient time and effort to ensure a successful outcome.
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Scale Computing Migration Overview
In this video, Scale Computing's Director of Solutions Architects, Mike O'Neil, talks through the many options available for successfully moving your workload to Scale Computing.
“The migration to Scale Computing was one of the smoothest migrations I’ve been involved with in 25+ years of working in IT.”
—Bobby Kewan, IT Director, City of Pewaukee
Comprehensive Migration Options for Your VM Transition
Fully Managed Migration to Scale Computing
Workload migration projects are necessary for any upgrade to newer and better IT infrastructure. A full migration project requires discovery, assessment, planning, and scheduling before migrations can begin.
The Managed Migration Service is designed to help expedite your transition to Scale Computing with a full-service migration solution for all of your existing physical or virtual workloads with minimal downtime or disruption. With this service, our engineer handles the complex tasks needed to migrate all of your workloads onto SC//HyperCore™ virtualization suite, leaving you the time to focus on your other strategic business projects.
- Minimum of five servers
- Guest instances must be supported for operation in the Scale Computing™ environment
- Scale Computing Engineer will determine which migration tool will work best for individual cases
Quickstart Services for Effortless VM Migration
Our Quickstart Migration Services leverage the advanced capabilities of SC//Migrate and SC//Move to deliver seamless, efficient, and secure data and workload migrations. Designed to address the complexities of modern IT environments, our services ensure minimal risk, reduced downtime, and enhanced cost-efficiency for your organization.
The SC//Migrate Quickstart Service migrates one Windows or Linux physical or virtual workload using Acronis into a virtual machine running on Scale Computing. It provides a kickstart as you plan to migrate all other servers to SC//HyperCore virtualization suite and want to ensure you understand how to use the Scale Computing Migrate software successfully.
The SC//Move Quickstart Service migrates workloads with minimal downtime from any physical, virtual, or cloud platform onto the SC//HyperCore system and provides training in using SC//Move to migrate one workload to SC//HyperCore virtualization suite.
Self-Managed VM Migration Tools and Resources
SC//Migrate and SC//Move are two available migration solutions designed to streamline the process of transferring data and workloads across various platforms with minimal risk and downtime. Both tools automate and consolidate numerous manual steps, significantly reducing the complexity and potential for human error in data migration projects.
SC//Migrate focuses on quickly and easily migrating physical and virtual workloads to SC//HyperCore virtualization suite. It automates VM creation, ensuring a smooth transition without the need for manual configuration, making it ideal for organizations looking to move tens or hundreds of VMs efficiently. With its cost-effective licensing model and centralized management, SC//Migrate streamlines migration.
SC//Move offers the flexibility to migrate physical, virtual, and cloud workloads between any combination of platforms and geographic locations. It features an efficient process that includes continuous replication, real-time synchronization, and robust data security with AES 256-bit encryption. SC//Move™ has centralized administration and near-zero downtime cutover, making it a powerful solution for complex migration scenarios, ensuring seamless transitions and maintaining business continuity.
Both SC//Migrate and SC//Move provide organizations with the tools needed to overcome the challenges of data migration, offering structured, repeatable processes that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risks.
Self-Managed Foreign VM Import
SC//HyperCore virtualization suite is capable of importing and converting VMs from various virtualization formats. VM import and conversion is a free feature included in the software and does not require any additional licensing. However, any imported VMs will be offline during the import and conversion process.
Disk Image Upload Made Easy with Self-Managed Tools
In addition to ISO files, virtual disk images can be uploaded directly to the SC//HyperCore cluster for use with virtual machines. Virtual disks are managed in the same Media tab in the Control Center as ISO files.
This feature is available in the most recent GA release of SC//HyperCore™ 9.2 and later.
The following formats are supported for direct upload to a HyperCore™ cluster:
- .vmdk
- .qcow2
- .img
- .vhd
- .vhdx
Upon successful upload, the system will automatically convert these formats into disks that can be attached to VMs.
Bare Metal Restore with Self-Managed Migration Options
Bare Metal Restore (BMR) can reinstate an entire computing environment, encompassing the operating system, applications, and data.
This process is designed to be platform-agnostic, meaning that the backup can be restored to different hardware configurations without requiring manual adjustments. There are some considerations, however:
- Full System Backup: BMR relies on a complete backup of the entire system, commonly referred to as a system image. This image includes the operating system, system configurations, installed applications, and all user data.
- Bare Metal Restore Tools: Various dedicated software tools facilitate the BMR process. These tools typically provide features such as creating, scheduling, and restoring system images.
- IP Address and Network Configurations: If the migration involves changes in IP addresses or network configurations, these need to be updated post-restoration.
Top Benefits of Migrating to Scale Computing
Scale Computing is More Than a VMware Alternative—It's an Upgrade
Don’t risk your infrastructure on VMware’s uncertainty. Switch to Scale Computing for a future-proof solution that eliminates the chaos and complexity.
G2 Reviews: Scale Computing vs VMware vSphere Comparison
“Our clients rely on V-TAB to be a creative partner that can offer a quality, but speedy service. For this reason, we needed a solution that was simple to navigate and gave us improved high availability and redundancy. Something we weren’t getting from our previous technology.”
Fredrik Bogårdh - IT Manager
V-TAB Chooses Scale Computing Over VMware for Better IT Efficiency
Previously, the IT team at V-TAB would have to spend time managing the environment, but now staff can focus on driving business value and running applications, rather than managing the underlying infrastructure.
Scale Computing is a DCIG TOP 5 Enterprise VMware vSphere Alternative
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| Scale Computing | Competitors | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Migration | Simplified with tools like SC//Migrate and SC//Move; minimal expertise required. | Moderate; migration tools exist but often require advanced expertise or third-party assistance. |
| Downtime During Migration | Minimal; live migration support reduces disruption. | Moderate to high; downtime varies based on tools, configurations, and planning. |
| Cost Savings | High; all-in-one solution reduces additional licensing and management costs. | Moderate to low; high licensing and support costs can reduce savings, especially for VMware and Nutanix. |
| Scalability | Highly scalable; designed for small to enterprise-level deployments. | Moderate to high; scalable but often with higher complexity and costs. |
| Hardware Integration | Fully integrated appliances simplify hardware compatibility. | Variable; often hardware-agnostic but may require validated hardware lists or specific certifications. |
| Management Complexity | Low; centralized management reduces operational overhead. | Moderate to high; requires expertise to manage multiple layers of software and hardware. |
| Support and Updates | Comprehensive support with frequent updates included. | Strong support options but often at a premium, with DIY solutions relying heavily on community or vendor-specific support. |
| Migration Tools | SC//Migrate and SC//Move provide seamless and efficient VM migrations. | Various tools available, such as vMotion (VMware) or Nutanix Move, but often more complex or costly. |
| Performance Optimization | Built-in AI-driven optimization (AIME) maximizes workload performance and system uptime. | Available but often relies on external tools or advanced configurations with higher complexity. |
| Compatibility | Fully integrated with Scale Computing appliances; supports a range of workloads and applications. | Broad compatibility across hypervisors and hardware but often requires validation or third-party tools for smooth operation. |
| Recovery Options | High availability, rapid recovery with snapshots, replication, and cloning capabilities. | Recovery options may involve additional licensing or reliance on third-party backup and DR solutions. |
Explore Comprehensive VM Migration Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to migrate VMs to Scale Computing?
Migration time depends on the number and size of VMs, but with migration tools, the process is highly efficient.
What tools and services does Scale Computing offer for a seamless migration?
Scale Computing provides SC//Migrate and SC//Move for automated and efficient VM migration, as well as professional services and technical support to ensure a smooth transition.
Can I migrate from my current platform to Scale Computing without downtime?
Yes, Scale Computing supports live migration, minimizing or even eliminating downtime during the transition.
What cost savings can I expect when switching to Scale Computing?
Scale Computing’s all-in-one solution eliminates the need for costly third-party software and complex licensing, providing significant savings on operational and management costs compared to other platforms.