Lift & Shift + Application Modernization: Converting a legacy application to run in containers on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) using Anthos

In a recent endeavour, I undertook the significant responsibility of acting as a Cloud Specialist for a forward-thinking company embarking on a major digital transformation. The challenge was substantial: migrating the company’s entire data centre to Google Cloud within three months. This project was a sterling opportunity to demonstrate my expertise in cloud technologies and to cement my role as a pivotal figure in the company’s technological advancement.

Project Overview

The project was strategically divided into two stages. The first was ‘Lift & Shift, ‘ which involved migrating a Talent Management Portal application to Google Compute Engine (GCE). The second stage focused on modernising the same application, this time for a Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) cluster, utilising Migrate for Anthos.

Stage 1: Lift & Shift

My initial foray into the project was the ‘Lift & Shift’ phase. My task was to meticulously plan and execute the Talent Management Portal application migration to GCE. This phase was critical, laying the groundwork for the subsequent modernisation stage.

Approach and Execution

I started by thoroughly analysing the existing application architecture and its dependencies. This process was crucial to ensure a seamless migration with minimal downtime. I employed Google Cloud’s Migrate for Compute Engine (formerly known as Velostrata) to facilitate an efficient and secure migration process. This tool allowed me to migrate the application seamlessly, ensuring data integrity and minimal disruption to the business operations.

Throughout this phase, I focused on security and compliance, ensuring that all data was transferred securely and aligned with GDPR and other relevant data protection regulations.

Stage 2: Modernisation

Upon completing the Lift & Shift phase, I embarked on modernising the Talent Management Portal application for a GKE cluster using Migrate for Anthos.

Modernisation Strategy

The modernisation process was centred around containerisation and orchestrating the application with Kubernetes. My strategy was to refactor the application into microservices, enabling it to run efficiently in a containerised environment. This approach offered enhanced scalability, resilience, and agility — key features that align with the principles of cloud-native architecture.

I utilised Migrate for Anthos to convert the existing VM-based application into containers. This tool significantly streamlined the process, allowing me to focus on optimising the application’s performance and scalability in its new environment.

Execution and Outcome

The refactoring process involved decomposing the application into smaller, manageable microservices. Each microservice was then containerised, making it suitable for deployment on GKE. I carefully orchestrated these containers using Kubernetes, ensuring efficient load balancing, automatic scaling, and self-healing capabilities.

The outcome of this modernisation was a highly resilient and scalable Talent Management Portal, now aptly suited for the dynamic demands of the cloud environment. The application’s performance improved markedly, with reduced latency and enhanced user experience.

Conclusion

This project was a testament to my skills and determination as a Cloud Specialist. I successfully navigated the complexities of cloud migration and modernisation, delivering a robust and scalable solution within the ambitious timeframe. This achievement augmented the company’s technological capabilities and solidified my position as a key player in cloud engineering.

Reflection

Looking back, I see this project was a remarkable journey that allowed me to showcase my technical acumen and project management skills. It reaffirmed my passion for cloud technologies and my commitment to continuous learning and professional growth in this ever-evolving field. As I continue to become a Cloud Engineer, Platform Engineer or DevOps Engineer, this experience will undoubtedly be a cornerstone in my career.