Microsoft has announced an expansion to its Azure Storage Migration Program, adding Cirrus Data Solutions as a partner. This partnership enables users to migrate block-level data from any source into any of Azure’s block storage offerings through the Cirrus Migrate Cloud offering on the Azure Marketplace, at no cost.
Block storage systems provide raw storage in fixed-sized “blocks”, acting much like individual hard drives. This high performance storage solution allows granular access to raw data, making it ideal for Tier-1 business critical applications. It also supports boot disks (OS disks) and data disks for virtual machine-based file systems, RAID arrays, databases, and container applications.
Primarily provided by SAN (Storage Area Network) appliances on-premises, scalable block storage can now be migrated to Azure with Cirrus Data’s assistance, for instance, to Azure Elastic SAN.
Cirrus Data’s Cirrus Migrate Cloud solution can evaluate your current system, locate the most cost-effective Azure resources for your running workloads, and migrate your data to those resources. The migration process occurs in the background, allowing you to plan your migration cutover with almost zero downtime, thanks to Cirrus Data’s cMotion migration cutover technology.
To participate in this opportunity to migrate your block storage to Azure, visit the Cirrus Data’s Azure Sponsored migration offer in the Azure Marketplace. After clicking on “Contact Me,” a Cirrus Data representative will reach out to schedule an onboarding session.
The Azure Storage Migration Program will continue with Cirrus Data for at least three more years, with Microsoft expressing commitment to its partnerships and the success of the program thus far.
Yes, the program is free. You can license Cirrus Migrate Cloud at no extra cost as part of the Azure Storage Migration Program. Cirrus Data does provide additional services, which will require separate licensing.
Participation in the Storage Migration Program (SMP) does not affect your eligibility for other programs like the Azure Migration and Modernization Program (AMMP). The SMP is meant to complement AMMP.
Whether your source data is on-premises or in another cloud, Cirrus Data offers the ability to migrate block-level data to Azure Storage without exceptions.
With regard to concerns about bandwidth, Cirrus Data’s migration software allows you to control the impact of the migration on your running workloads. The tool will adjust the migration rate based on your settings to ensure minimal disruption to your daily business operations.