Migrating mid server from on-prem to cloud

[Asmita7]

Hi friends,

I am stuck across one interview question which I attended yesterday.

There is a mid-server in on-prem environment which is discovering CI's since last 6 months. Now, I want to migrate the mid-server to cloud environment.  What are the possibilities. 

1. I wan to mak sure that all previous IP discoveris should reflect in new cloud environment. What to do ?

2. Can I use the new cloud based mid-server for discovering the ci's which are located in a data centre as earlier ?

Please suggest.

Thank you very much for your time and help.

Asmita 

[Fabian Kunzke]

Hey,

So I am assuming, that this interview is in the past and you are truly here to just get an answer. I want to urge you, not to copy my answer as it will require extensive background knowledge - if you are not comfortable with that knowledge, please ignore my answer.

The question you got is a tricky one, because it won't be an easy true or false and depends on the customer setup, but i would like to give my thoughts on this:

1) Making sure all IP discoveries are reflected in the new cloud environment

The MID-Server transition will be done by just setting up a new MID-Server. If you want to transition all current discovery to that new MID-Server, it must be done in the discovery schedules. Ideally, all schedules are setup with a dynamic MID-Server selection or a MID-Server cluster. If that is the case, adding the new MID-Server to the cluster will be enough. If not, then you will need to adjust the discovery schedules. However, you will need to make sure that...

2) Can I use the new cloud based MID-Server for discovering the same scope?

... connectivity is ensured. And this is where more background is required. Is this a self-hosted cloud environment? Is it outsourced (Azure, AWS etc.)? Generally speaking I would not recommend using a cloud-based MID-Server to discover on-premise hardware. Even if it was possible - which it is, you will need a static IP assignment and the firewall openings for the MID-Server - it goes against why we use firewalls. We don't want massive outside traffic jumping into our infrastructure - remember, for the discovery that firewall opening will need to forward traffic to the whole infrastructure!

So yes. It is possible. Should you do it? No. For on-premise discovery use an on-premise MID-Server.

Hope this helps

Regards

Fabian

[ShrikantP549033]

Hello @Asmita7 

Regarding the MID Server migration from on-prem to cloud, here are the key points:

1. Preserving previous discoveries:

   • All previously discovered CIs are stored in the ServiceNow CMDB.

   • Migrating or redeploying the MID Server to the cloud will not affect historical CI data. No additional action is required to retain past discoveries.

2. Discovering on-prem CIs with a cloud-based MID Server:

   • The MID Server requires network access to the devices it discovers.

   • If the CIs are in a private on-premise network, the cloud MID Server cannot reach them directly unless a secure connection (VPN, Direct Connect, or appropriate firewall rules) is configured.

   • In most cases, it is recommended to keep the MID Server on-prem for discovery of on-prem resources.

3. Options:

   • Deploy MID Server in cloud: works for cloud resources or on-prem devices if network connectivity is established.

   • Keep MID Server on-prem: simplest approach for on-prem CI discovery.

   • Hybrid: old MID Server continues on-prem discovery; cloud MID Server is used for cloud resources.

In summary, migrating the MID Server to the cloud will not impact historical CIs, but successful discovery of on-prem devices from a cloud MID Server depends on network connectivity.

If my response Answer, please mark it as correct.