Infrastructure Modernisation: Transitioning from On-Premises to Microsoft Azure with Integrated Backup Solutions

Infrastructure modernisation is not just about technology — it’s a pivot to new ways of thinking and empowering businesses to reach new heights. My recent project is a testament to this transformative journey, showcasing how an on-premises setup can transcend its physical limitations and embrace the cloud’s potential — specifically, Microsoft Azure’s robust environment.

Background:

The task was intricate yet clear-cut: to migrate an existing on-premises infrastructure to Microsoft Azure. This encompassed lifting and shifting virtual machines and re-architecting the data backup strategy to leverage Azure Files, Azure Backup, and Recovery Services Vault.

Process:

The first step was meticulously planning the architecture, ensuring a seamless migration. I established a Resource Group within Azure to serve as an organisational hub for the resources that would constitute the new cloud infrastructure. This logical grouping facilitated easier management and provided a unified oversight of the resources.

Next, I crafted a Virtual Network (VNet) with a dedicated subnet. This served as the backbone of the network infrastructure, ensuring secure and efficient communication between the virtual machines that would host the client applications. The deployment of two Azure Virtual Machines was executed within this subnet, forming the core of the application layer.

For the shared file system, I opted for Azure Files. This choice was strategic; it meant that the Application VMs could interact with a highly available file share, a critical component for the client’s collaborative workloads. Azure Files provided a managed file storage service that integrated seamlessly with Azure’s ecosystem, offering shared access that was both secure and scalable.

The keystone of this modernisation was redefining the backup strategy. The legacy tape backups would be replaced with a more reliable, cloud-native solution. Enter Azure Backup: a service offering unmatched data protection with minimal maintenance. I configured Azure Backup to safeguard our Azure File shares, ensuring the data remained secure and easily restorable. The final stride was employing the Azure Recovery Services Vault, which preserved the backups and provided an additional layer of data security and recovery options.

Execution:

The migration was carried out with precision. Data from on-premises servers was systematically transferred to the Azure File shares. The legacy backup tapes were phased out, and backup policies were established within Azure Backup, aligning with the client’s Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs).

I maintained a rigorous documentation regime throughout the process, detailing each step, configuration, and policy implementation. This ensured the infrastructure was robust, compliant with industry standards, transparent, and maintainable for the client’s in-house IT team.

Result:

The result was a modernised infrastructure with enhanced resilience, scalability, and accessibility. The client now benefits from a 99.9% availability of their shared file system and a backup solution that provides peace of mind through its reliability and compliance with regulatory standards.

Reflection:

This project was a reaffirmation of the capabilities that cloud environments offer. It underscored the importance of a forward-looking approach to IT infrastructure — embracing the cloud’s agility, scalability, and robustness. For me, it was a privilege to lead this transformation and witness a traditional on-premises setup evolve into a modern, cloud-based solution that stands ready to meet the dynamic needs of today’s digital landscape.