Migration from RHEL6.6 in on-premise to RHEL 7.x in AWS environment

[SAPSupport]

Hello SAP,

We plan to migrate the current ERP6.0 system running in the on-premise environment to AWS environment.

The current ERP6.0 system is utilizing "OS: RHEL 6.6 ,DB :OracleDB IP_ADDRESS" .

As we cannot use RHEL6.6 in AWS environment, we must use RHEL7.x in AWS environment.

If we migrate the current ERP 6.0 system running on RHEL 6.6 and Oracle DB IP_ADDRESS in the on-premise environment to the server running RHEL 7.x and Oracle DB IP_ADDRESS in AWS environment, 

can you please tell us if there is anything we need to do on the RHEL 7.x and Oracle DB IP_ADDRESS server side?

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[SAPSupport · Accepted solution]

Migrating an ERP system to AWS involves several steps and considerations. Since you are moving from RHEL 6.6 to RHEL 7.x, there are some key differences between the two operating systems that you need to account for. Here are some general steps and considerations for your migration:

1. Compatibility Check: Ensure that your ERP 6.0 system is compatible with RHEL 7.x. Check with the ERP vendor for any specific requirements or compatibility issues.

2. Update and Patch: Before migrating, make sure that your current system is fully updated and patched. This will help to minimize compatibility issues during the migration.

3. Backup: Take a full backup of your ERP system, including the database and any customizations, configurations, and files.

4. AWS Preparation:

   • Set up your AWS environment, including VPC, subnets, security groups, IAM roles, and policies.
   • Choose an appropriate EC2 instance type for your ERP system.
   • Set up your storage on AWS (EBS, S3, etc.) according to your performance and redundancy requirements.

5. RHEL 7.x Preparation:

   • Install RHEL 7.x on your AWS EC2 instance.
   • Apply the latest updates and security patches to RHEL 7.x.
   • Install any required libraries or dependencies that your ERP system may need.
   • Adjust system parameters and kernel settings as per the requirements of the ERP system and Oracle DB.

6. Oracle DB Preparation:

   • Install Oracle DB 12.1.0.2 on RHEL 7.x, ensuring it matches the configuration of your on-premise setup.
   • Apply any patches or updates to Oracle DB to match the on-premise version.
   • Configure the database with the same parameters and settings as your on-premise environment.

7. Data Migration:

   • Migrate the database using tools like Oracle Data Pump, RMAN, or AWS Database Migration Service (DMS).
   • Test the data integrity and consistency after migration.

8. Application Migration:

   • Transfer the ERP application files to the AWS environment.
   • Update any configuration files to reflect the new environment (e.g., database connection strings, file paths).

9. Testing:

   • Perform thorough testing in the AWS environment to ensure that the ERP system is functioning correctly.
   • Test all functionalities, including transactions, reports, and integrations.

10. Update DNS and Networking:

    • Update DNS records to point to the new AWS environment.
    • Ensure that all networking is correctly configured, including VPNs or Direct Connect if necessary.

11. Monitoring and Optimization:

    • Implement monitoring solutions to keep an eye on the performance and health of your ERP system.
    • Optimize the system based on the performance data collected.

12. Documentation and Training:

    • Update your documentation to reflect the new environment and any changes made during the migration.
    • Train your staff on any new procedures or tools related to the AWS environment.

13. Go-Live and Support:

    • Plan a go-live date and ensure that you have support in place for any issues that may arise during the transition.

Remember, this is a high-level overview, and each migration will have its own unique challenges and requirements. It's crucial to work closely with your ERP vendor, Oracle, and possibly an AWS consultant to ensure a smooth migration. Additionally, consider the AWS Well-Architected Framework to ensure best practices in security, reliability, performance efficiency, cost optimization, and operational excellence.