Migrating to SharePoint Online and OneDrive is a significant task, involving intricate strategies founded on analysis and planning. With the continual growth of SharePoint Online and OneDrive, many organizations are considering moving their data to these Microsoft services. This post, in the context of the MS-100 Microsoft 365 Identity and Services exam, intends to address key considerations for planning a migration strategy.
Choosing the Right Migration Strategy
Migration strategies depend on the complexity of the SharePoint sites being migrated and the volume of their content. Following are the three primary migration strategies’ scenarios:
- Basic Migration: This is fit for small data migrations with minimal SharePoint customizations. Tools like the SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) or Mover can be utilized for this migration strategy.
- Intermediate Migration: If you have sizable data or more SharePoint customizations, third-party migration tools or assistance from Microsoft’s FastTrack Center will be beneficial.
- Advanced Migration: When handling large-scale data migrations with complex customizations, it’s advisable to involve Microsoft Partners or use highly advanced third-party tools.
Assessment and Planning
- Inventory Existing SharePoint Infrastructure: Catalog existing SharePoint sites and their associated metadata such as file paths and site paths, customizations, users and permissions, and site usage.
- Determine Migration Scope: Define what content you’re moving, where it’s coming from, and where it’s going.
- Review Customization: If the existing environment utilizes heavy customization, it’ll require careful handling and might need modernization.
- User Mapping: In cases where the source and target environment use different identity models, you need to map your source and target users.
Migration Tools
For basic migrations, you can leverage Microsoft’s free tools:
- SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT): It supports migrations from SharePoint Server 2010, 2013, 2016, and SharePoint in Microsoft 365.
- Mover: For cloud migrations, Mover supports various cloud service providers, including Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box.
For intermediate and advanced migrations, you can rely on sophisticated third-party tools from companies like ShareGate, Metalogix, and AvePoint.
Post-Migration
After successfully migrating to SharePoint Online and OneDrive, validate the migration by:
- Checking Data Integrity: Ensure all data was migrated as expected and verify permissions and configurations.
- Training users: Users need to familiarize themselves with the new environment. Provide training materials or resources to help them adapt to the change.
- Monitoring and Support: Monitor your new environment for any issues. Establish a support channel to cater to user queries and troubleshoot issues.
Wrapping up, migration to SharePoint Online and OneDrive has to be a well-thought-out strategy. Before initiating the migration, ensure proper assessment and planning, choosing the right migration tools as per requirements and laying out a precise post-migration plan.
These strategies and considerations are crucial in both real-world applications and for candidates preparing for exam MS-100 Microsoft 365 Identity and Services. Understanding these will enable them to plan and implement migration strategies effectively, thereby attaining operational efficiency and scoring well in the exam.
Remember, every migration will be unique and require its approach suiting the organization’s needs and requirements. Start small, learn, and then expand to more complex migrations. Migrating is not just moving data from point A to B; it requires a strategic mindset with a holistic approach.
Practice Test
True or False: The SharePoint Migration Tool can be used to speed up the process of migrating from an older SharePoint or from a file share to SharePoint Online or OneDrive.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The SharePoint Migration Tool is designed to assist with migrating files from SharePoint on-premises document libraries or regular file shares, with the aim of a smoother, quicker process.
What is the main goal of a migration strategy?
- A. Minimize downtime during the migration process
- B. Ensure data is moved across accurately and securely
- C. Limit impact on users during the migration
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: A migration strategy is designed to ensure data is moved securely without losing its integrity, while also minimizing downtime during the process to limit any impact on users.
True or False: For larger migrations, organizations are advised to use the Migration APIs rather than using the SharePoint Migration Tool.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: For larger, more complex migrations, the Migration APIs offer more control and performance, whereas The SharePoint Migration Tool is better suited for smaller or less complex migrations.
What’s the first step in developing a SharePoint Online and OneDrive migration strategy?
- A. Assess the current environment
- B. Run a pilot migration
- C. Implement a backup plan
- D. Move the files
Answer: A. Assess the current environment
Explanation: Migration strategy starts with understanding the current state of environment including its complication, user experience, security control etc.
What should you put in place before running a SharePoint migration?
- A. A Strong Internet Connection
- B. A New Domain
- C. A Migration Plan
- D. New User Profiles
Answer: C. A Migration Plan
Explanation: A comprehensive migration plan should be in place before performing SharePoint migration. This includes the current status, assessing the environment, choosing right tools etc.
True or False: OneDrive cannot be used to store files larger than 1GB.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: OneDrive allows you to store files upto 15GB in size.
SharePoint Online Storage is calculated based on:
- A. The total number of users
- B. The total number of SharePoint documents
- C. The total amount of data stored in SharePoint Online
- D. The number of SharePoint lists
Answer: C. The total amount of data stored in SharePoint Online
Explanation: SharePoint Online storage is calculated based on the total amount of data stored in the service.
Does SharePoint Migration tool support migrating from a CSV file?
- A. Yes
- B. No
Answer: A. Yes
Explanation: SharePoint Migration tool allows migration from a CSV file which makes bulk migration simpler.
True or False: Data import service in Office 365 can be used to migrate SharePoint Online and OneDrive data.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Data import service in office 365 can import both SharePoint Online and OneDrive data.
SharePoint Online migration can be performed through which method?
- A. Directly through SharePoint’s interface
- B. Using third-party tools
- C. Using Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: SharePoint Online migration can be performed directly through SharePoint’s interface or using third-party tools or Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool depending on the requirements and strategy.
Interview Questions
What is the first stage in planning a migration strategy for SharePoint Online and OneDrive?
The first stage is Assessment. It involves an in-depth evaluation of the current environment, understanding the content, its usage, and complexity, to provide a clear understanding of the potential challenges to be expected during the migration.
What should be considered when sizing and performance planning for OneDrive?
For OneDrive, you should consider the total number of users, the amount of data, network capacity, and the locations from which people will be syncing.
Which migration tool can be used for SharePoint Online and OneDrive migration?
SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) can be used to migrate content to SharePoint Online and OneDrive from SharePoint Server sites, network and local file shares.
What is coexistence and rollback strategy in SharePoint Online and OneDrive migration?
Coexistence and Rollback strategy defines how both the old and new systems will operate simultaneously during the migration transition, and how you can roll back to the old system in case significant issues occur after the migration.
In the remediation phase of SharePoint migration, what tasks are typically undertaken?
Migrating user accounts, restructuring unorganized sites and libraries, cleaning up or archiving outdated content, setting up new SharePoint Online sites, and mapping old permissions to the new environment.
Why is it essential to plan for governance in SharePoint Online and OneDrive migration?
It’s essential to ensure that the new environment has managed growth with user practices in line with your organization’s rules and procedures. It involves configuring roles, permissions, and information architecture.
How does Microsoft Secure Score help in SharePoint Online and OneDrive after their migration?
Microsoft Secure Score helps organizations by providing insights into Microsoft 365 security settings and recommending security features that should be enabled to enhance the overall security posture.
What is the process of content migration in SharePoint Online and OneDrive?
The process of content migration involves creating a migration inventory, preparing the source files, migrating the content using a migration tool, and then validating the migrated content.
What role does Microsoft FastTrack play in SharePoint Online and OneDrive migration?
Microsoft FastTrack assists businesses in deploying Microsoft 365 solutions. It provides guidance and direction for the strategic, technical, and planning aspects of the migration.
What are the post-migration activities for SharePoint Online and OneDrive migration?
Post-migration activities include validating and verifying the migrated content, evaluating the success of the migration, decommissioning old environments, training end-users, monitoring the new environment, providing user support, and ongoing enhancements.