Hyperscaler: ServiceNow to GCP Migration

[ersureshbe]

Use Case:

A guide on executing the GCP Migration, focusing on strategies to minimize operational costs for the customer and methods to transition from a multi-cloud environment to a unified cloud solution.

Solution:

In order to implement the solution, the following action items must be prepared prior to initiating the activities.

Pre-requisites:

1. Availability of Google Cloud & Team
2. Access to ServiceNow Hi Portal
3. Checklist and Integration Data Points
4. ServiceNow Testing Team

A significant dependency exists with ServiceNow to facilitate the solution on the customer's premises. Before activating the solution, it is essential to establish collaboration between ServiceNow and Google on this matter. Ensure comprehensive support from both parties.

Step 1: Cloning - Verify that your Non-Production Instances are set to be cloned and that they are fully synchronized with the ServiceNow Production environment. This should include Data, Configurations, and Active Integrations. If there is any misalignment, activate the Clone feature from the Production environment to all Non-Production environments.

Step 2: Integrations - Compile a comprehensive list of Integrations along with their corresponding End Point URLs (REST / SOAP APIs) and Credentials (Basic, OAuth). Create a detailed document to record all necessary information.

Step 3: Mid Server - For any mid servers linked to your integrations, ensure that access is granted with the appropriate privileges for the machines where the mid server is installed.

Step 4: Testing Team - Confirm the availability of the Testing team and assign associates based on each module. Request that they prepare test cases for each module.

Pre-Migration Activities:

Backup
1. Create a Hi Portal ticket to obtain assistance from ServiceNow regarding the backup of Operation Data and the complete platform data backup. Additionally, seek guidance from Node, Loadbalancer, and network-related support.
2. Create a comprehensive backup in xml, csv, and xlsx formats for installed plugins, custom codes - update set, custom configurations, and so forth.
3. Integration - Endpoints, authentications, and field mapping-based backups, along with the verification of documents, ensure that all necessary elements are 4. addressed for the successful operation of the integration following migration.
4. Take a backup for custom codes, configuration captured update sets and save it for re-usable aspects
5. Custom Dashboards & Reports needs be taken as .xml file for re-usage.

Post Migration Activities:

Integration:
Integration using Mid Server - Confirm the operational status according to the problem, proceed with reinstallation, and perform the reconfiguration.
Validate network routing - When operating the mid server, any network issues should be addressed with the assistance of GCP and ServiceNow.

Plugin:
Certain plugins exhibit varying behavior in Dedicated / Private environments. Ensure that all plugins are installed correctly. If reinstallation is necessary, and any errors occur, please coordinate with ServiceNow to resolve the issues.
Any EOL plugins are exist it needs to be migrated to new plugin

Security & Compliance:
The custom-defined ACLs have been mapped to the roles, forms, and workflows, and this mapping requires verification. Should any mapping be found to be absent, it must be examined in accordance with the backup and subsequently recreated in the post-go-live configurations.

How to verify GCP Migration after Migration:

Option-1: Login to this URL https://<<Your Instance name>>.service-now.com/stats.do and refer 'Connected to cluster node'. It will support to understand the recent data center name associated with GCP.

Option-2: Login to 'Now Support - Hi Portal' and refer the 'Instance Management' and check the 'My IP Information'

Summary:

The migration to GCP has a significant dependency on both ServiceNow and Google Cloud. The primary activity during both the pre-migration and post-migration phases is testing conducted through ServiceNow. It is essential to verify that all functionalities are operating correctly. In the event of any major obstacles or if certain functionalities are not functioning, you can address your issues through the ServiceNow Hi ticket system, which will assist in resolving problems from the product side.

Regards,

Suresh.