Guide to Replatforming Workloads with AWS Application Migration Service

/ Tutorial

In this guide, we will explore the capabilities of AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) for replatforming workloads using AWS App2Container (A2C). We will walk through the process of migrating and replatforming applications running on migrated servers into Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, and AWS App Runner.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Benefits of Replatforming with AWS Application Migration Service
  3. Getting Started with AWS Application Migration Service
  4. Migrating and Replatforming Java-based Applications
  5. Migrating and Replatforming .NET-based Applications
  6. Containerizing .NET Framework Based Applications to Windows Containers
  7. Replatforming JBoss Applications to Linux Containers
  8. Replatforming Apache Tomcat Applications to Linux Containers
  9. Replatforming Java Applications to Linux Containers
  10. Replatforming .NET Core Applications to Linux Containers
  11. Deploying Replatformed Applications to Amazon ECS
  12. Deploying Replatformed Applications to Amazon EKS
  13. Deploying Replatformed Applications to AWS App Runner
  14. Monitoring and Managing Replatformed Applications
  15. Best Practices for Replatforming Workloads with AWS Application Migration Service
  16. Conclusion

1. Introduction

AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) now supports replatforming workloads using AWS App2Container (A2C). Replatforming refers to the process of migrating an application from one platform to another while making minimal code changes. With AWS MGN, you can replatform applications running on migrated servers into Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, and AWS App Runner. This opens up new possibilities for modernizing and optimizing your applications.

In this guide, we will focus on the capabilities of AWS MGN’s replatforming feature and explore how it can be leveraged to migrate and replatform applications running on different platforms.

2. Benefits of Replatforming with AWS Application Migration Service

Replatforming with AWS Application Migration Service offers several benefits for enterprises, including:

  • Easier migration process: AWS MGN simplifies the migration and replatforming process with automated tools and services.
  • Minimal code changes: Replatforming enables you to migrate applications with minimal code modifications, reducing the effort and risk involved.
  • Improved scalability: By replatforming applications to Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner, you can leverage the scalability and flexibility of these platforms to meet changing demands.
  • Cost optimization: Replatforming can help optimize your infrastructure costs by utilizing the cost-effective options provided by AWS.
  • Enhanced security and compliance: AWS offers various security features and compliance certifications, ensuring your replatformed applications meet industry standards.

3. Getting Started with AWS Application Migration Service

Before you can start replatforming your applications with AWS MGN, you need to set up the necessary infrastructure and configure the service. Follow these steps to get started:

  1. Create a migration project: Start by creating a migration project in AWS MGN console. Enter project details such as project name, source server information, and target environment.

  2. Configure replication settings: Configure the replication settings to specify which data to replicate from the source server to the target environment.

  3. Connect AWS MGN with AWS App2Container: To use AWS App2Container for replatforming, you need to establish a connection between AWS MGN and A2C. Follow the documentation to set up the necessary permissions and configurations.

  4. Assess and test the migration: Before proceeding with the actual migration and replatforming, it is recommended to perform an assessment and test the migration process to ensure compatibility and minimize disruptions.

4. Migrating and Replatforming Java-based Applications

AWS MGN provides excellent support for migrating and replatforming Java-based applications. Here are some key considerations and steps to follow:

  1. Convert Java applications to containers: Use AWS App2Container to convert your Java applications into containerized versions that can be easily deployed to Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner.

  2. Rehost Java applications: Migrate your Java applications to AWS using AWS MGN’s rehosting capabilities. This enables you to seamlessly move the application to the cloud while preserving its functionality.

  3. Replatform Java applications: Once the Java application is migrated, use AWS App2Container to replatform it into the desired target environment. This includes containerizing the application and generating the necessary artifacts for deployment.

5. Migrating and Replatforming .NET-based Applications

AWS MGN also supports the migration and replatforming of .NET-based applications. Here’s how you can migrate your .NET applications and replatform them to different environments:

  1. Prepare the .NET application for migration: Before migrating, ensure that your .NET application is properly configured and packaged for the migration process.

  2. Migrate the .NET application: Use AWS MGN’s rehosting capabilities to migrate the .NET application to AWS, ensuring minimal disruption to its functionality.

  3. Replatform the .NET application: After migrating, leverage AWS App2Container to replatform the .NET application into containers suitable for deployment on Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner.

6. Containerizing .NET Framework Based Applications to Windows Containers

For .NET Framework based applications, AWS MGN allows you to containerize them into Windows containers for deployment to Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner. Follow these steps to containerize your .NET Framework based applications:

  1. Prepare the application for containerization: Ensure that your .NET Framework based application is ready for containerization by following best practices and guidelines.

  2. Create a Dockerfile: Create a Dockerfile that includes the necessary instructions for building the Windows container image.

  3. Build and test the container image: Use Docker to build and test the container image locally before deploying it to the target environment.

  4. Deploy the container image: Use AWS MGN to deploy the container image to Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner.

7. Replatforming JBoss Applications to Linux Containers

AWS MGN supports the replatforming of JBoss applications to Linux containers, offering increased scalability and flexibility. Follow these steps to replatform your JBoss applications:

  1. Prepare the JBoss application for replatforming: Ensure that your JBoss application is compatible with Linux containers and meets the necessary prerequisites.

  2. Convert the JBoss application to a Linux container: Use AWS App2Container to convert the JBoss application into a Linux container that can be deployed to Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner.

  3. Generate Dockerfiles and CloudFormation artifacts: AWS MGN automatically generates the required Dockerfiles and CloudFormation artifacts for deploying the replatformed JBoss application to the target environment.

8. Replatforming Apache Tomcat Applications to Linux Containers

If you have Apache Tomcat applications running on migrated servers, AWS MGN provides support for replatforming them into Linux containers. Follow these steps to replatform your Apache Tomcat applications:

  1. Prepare the Apache Tomcat application for replatforming: Ensure that your Apache Tomcat application is compatible with Linux containers and meets the necessary prerequisites.

  2. Convert the Apache Tomcat application to a Linux container: Use AWS App2Container to convert the Apache Tomcat application into a Linux container suitable for deployment on Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner.

  3. Generate Dockerfiles and CloudFormation artifacts: AWS MGN automatically generates the required Dockerfiles and CloudFormation artifacts for deploying the replatformed Apache Tomcat application to the target environment.

9. Replatforming Java Applications to Linux Containers

AWS MGN supports the replatforming of Java applications to Linux containers, offering improved scalability and portability. Here’s how you can replatform your Java applications using AWS MGN:

  1. Prepare the Java application for replatforming: Ensure that your Java application is compatible with Linux containers and meets the necessary prerequisites.

  2. Convert the Java application to a Linux container: Use AWS App2Container to convert the Java application into a Linux container that can be deployed to Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner.

  3. Generate Dockerfiles and CloudFormation artifacts: AWS MGN automatically generates the required Dockerfiles and CloudFormation artifacts for deploying the replatformed Java application to the target environment.

10. Replatforming .NET Core Applications to Linux Containers

If you have .NET Core applications running on migrated servers, AWS MGN allows you to replatform them into Linux containers for improved scalability and flexibility. Follow these steps to replatform your .NET Core applications:

  1. Prepare the .NET Core application for replatforming: Ensure that your .NET Core application is compatible with Linux containers and meets the necessary prerequisites.

  2. Convert the .NET Core application to a Linux container: Use AWS App2Container to convert the .NET Core application into a Linux container suitable for deployment on Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, or AWS App Runner.

  3. Generate Dockerfiles and CloudFormation artifacts: AWS MGN automatically generates the required Dockerfiles and CloudFormation artifacts for deploying the replatformed .NET Core application to the target environment.

11. Deploying Replatformed Applications to Amazon ECS

Once your applications are replatformed, you can deploy them to Amazon ECS for efficient container orchestration. Here’s how you can deploy your replatformed applications to Amazon ECS:

  1. Create an ECS cluster: Start by creating an Amazon ECS cluster to host your containerized applications.

  2. Create task definitions: Define the configurations for your replatformed applications using task definitions in Amazon ECS.

  3. Create services: Use Amazon ECS services to define how many instances of your replatformed application should be running, along with other parameters.

  4. Deploy the application: After setting up the cluster, task definitions, and services, deploy your replatformed applications to Amazon ECS using AWS MGN.

12. Deploying Replatformed Applications to Amazon EKS

If you prefer to use Amazon EKS as your container orchestration platform, AWS MGN allows you to easily deploy your replatformed applications. Follow these steps to deploy your replatformed applications to Amazon EKS:

  1. Create an EKS cluster: Start by creating an Amazon EKS cluster to host your containerized applications.

  2. Configure worker nodes: Set up the worker nodes that will run the replatformed applications within the EKS cluster.

  3. Create Kubernetes deployment files: Create the necessary Kubernetes deployment files to define your replatformed applications in Amazon EKS.

  4. Deploy the application: After setting up the cluster, worker nodes, and Kubernetes deployment files, deploy your replatformed applications to Amazon EKS using AWS MGN.

13. Deploying Replatformed Applications to AWS App Runner

AWS App Runner provides a fully managed service for deploying containerized applications. Here’s how you can deploy your replatformed applications to AWS App Runner:

  1. Create an App Runner service: Start by creating an AWS App Runner service to host your replatformed applications.

  2. Configure the service: Provide the necessary configurations for the AWS App Runner service, including the source code or container image details.

  3. Deploy the application: After configuring the service, deploy your replatformed applications to AWS App Runner using AWS MGN.

14. Monitoring and Managing Replatformed Applications

AWS MGN provides various tools and services for monitoring and managing your replatformed applications. Here are some key features to consider:

  • Amazon CloudWatch: Monitor your application’s performance, set alarms, and gain insights into resource utilization using Amazon CloudWatch.

  • AWS CloudFormation: Use CloudFormation templates to manage and provision the resources required for your replatformed applications.

  • AWS Systems Manager: Utilize Systems Manager for central management of your applications, including patch management and resource configuration.

  • AWS X-Ray: Gain visibility into the performance and behavior of your replatformed applications through AWS X-Ray’s tracing capabilities.

15. Best Practices for Replatforming Workloads with AWS Application Migration Service

To ensure a successful replatforming process, consider the following best practices:

  • Thoroughly test the migration: Before migrating and replatforming your applications, thoroughly test the process in a non-production environment to identify any issues or compatibility challenges.

  • Optimize application architecture: Take advantage of the scalability and flexibility offered by AWS services and optimize your application architecture when replatforming.

  • Ensure security and compliance: Apply security best practices and consider compliance requirements when replatforming your applications to ensure data protection and regulatory compliance.

  • Monitor and optimize cost: Continuously monitor and optimize your costs by leveraging AWS cost optimization tools and regularly reviewing your application’s resource utilization.

16. Conclusion

In this comprehensive guide, we explored the capabilities of AWS Application Migration Service for replatforming workloads using AWS App2Container. We covered the migration and replatforming of Java-based and .NET-based applications, including containerizing .NET Framework applications to Windows containers and replatforming JBoss, Apache Tomcat, Java, and .NET Core applications to Linux containers. We also discussed how to deploy the replatformed applications to Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, and AWS App Runner, and highlighted best practices for a successful replatforming process.

By leveraging AWS MGN’s replatforming capabilities, you can modernize and optimize your applications, improve scalability, and take advantage of the myriad benefits offered by AWS services. Start exploring the possibilities of replatforming with AWS Application Migration Service today.