1.1 Preparing to Install PlateSpin Migrate

1.1.1 System Requirements for PlateSpin Server

PlateSpin Server hosts must meet the system requirements in Table 1-1. See also General Guidelines for Server Installation.

Table 1-1 Host Requirements for PlateSpin Server

Requirement

Details

Dedicated host

Physical or virtual server

Operating System

Any of the following Windows Server versions:

  • Windows Server 2016

  • Windows Server 2012 R2

NOTE:You must activate the Microsoft license for your Windows operating system prior to installing PlateSpin Migrate.

Processor

Recommended (physical): multi-core, 2 GHz or higher

Recommended (VM): 2 or more Virtual CPUs

Memory

Recommended: 8 GB RAM

Disk Space

Minimum 50 GB

Additional space might be necessary if you plan to use the same system as a PlateSpin Image Server. The amount of additional space depends on the number and size of workload images that you intend to store on a given image server. See Designating a PlateSpin Image Server in the PlateSpin Migrate 12.3 User Guide.

Database Server

A dedicated Microsoft SQL Server database instance, running on one of the following:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Express Edition

    A copy of this database software is included in your PlateSpin Migrate software distribution.

    NOTE:For upgrades of PlateSpin Migrate Server, your existing installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express is supported. The SQL Server Express software is not updated as part of the upgrade.

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2016

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2014

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

For remote database instances, the following additional requirements must be met:

While multiple PlateSpin Migrate Servers can use the same remote database server, each Migrate Server requires a separate dedicated database instance.

NOTE:Prior to installing the product, ensure that your existing SQL Server database server and named database instance meet the Database guidelines.

Prerequisite Software

NOTE:You can install prerequisite software manually or use the PowerShell script provided on the PlateSpin Migrate Download site. See Installing Prerequisite Software.

TLS Protocol

PlateSpin Migrate server uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0, 1.1, or 1.2 protocols for connections, depending on the protocols supported by and enabled on its host OS. Installation and upgrade do not modify the existing host OS settings for the TLS protocol.

The TLS settings on the Migrate Server host OS must allow connections appropriate for the source workloads. See Section 1.8, Configuring TLS Protocols for Migrate Hosts.

The TLS settings on each source workload OS must allow connections appropriate for TLS protocols you enable for the Migrate server host OS. Some older OSes do not support TLS 1.2. Enabling connections using TLS 1.2 protocol on a source workload might require that you install OS patches and Microsoft .NET Framework on the workload and modify its OS registry settings. See Configuring Source Workloads to Connect Using TLS 1.2 in the PlateSpin Migrate 12.3 User Guide.

1.1.2 System Requirements for PlateSpin Migrate Client

You can install the PlateSpin Migrate Client on the PlateSpin Server host or on a separate computer. For information about migration tasks supported by Migrate Client, see Deciding on the Migration Interface in the PlateSpin Migrate 12.3 User Guide.

A standalone PlateSpin Migrate Client host must meet the system requirements in Table 1-2.

Table 1-2 Host Requirements for PlateSpin Migrate Client

Requirement

Details

Operating System

Any of the following, running on dedicated hardware or in a virtual machine:

  • Windows Server 2016

  • Windows 8.1, 8

  • Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2

  • Windows 7

  • Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

NOTE:You must activate the Microsoft license for your Windows operating system prior to installing PlateSpin Migrate Client.

Disk Space

Minimum 3 GB

Windows Software Components

Microsoft .NET Framework 2 SP2, 3.5 SP1, and 4.7.1. You can download .NET software from Microsoft:

TLS Protocol

PlateSpin Migrate Client supports Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2.

Enable the same TLS protocols that you allow for the operating system on the PlateSpin Migrate Server host. See Section 1.8, Configuring TLS Protocols for Migrate Hosts.

1.1.3 System Requirements for PlateSpin Migrate Web Interface

PlateSpin Migrate provides a Web Interface that you can use to plan and execute automated migrations of workloads. The PlateSpin Migrate Web Interface is automatically installed when you install the PlateSpin Migrate Server. For information about migration tasks supported by Migrate Web Interface, see Deciding on the Migration Interface in the PlateSpin Migrate 12.3 User Guide.

For information about supported web browsers and browser configuration requirements, see Supported Web Browsers in the PlateSpin Migrate 12.3 User Guide.

For more information about working with the PlateSpin Migrate Web Interface, see About the PlateSpin Migrate Web Interface in the PlateSpin Migrate 12.3 User Guide.

1.1.4 General Guidelines for Server Installation

Follow installation guidelines in Table 1-3 for trouble-free installation and operation of PlateSpin Migrate.

Table 1-3 Pre-Installation Checklist

Guideline

Remarks

Dedicated Host

Install the PlateSpin Server on a dedicated physical or virtual machine. See also Co-location.

Credentials

Perform all installation procedures using an account with administrative privileges.

When you install PlateSpin Migrate Server on a domain computer, you must log in to the PlateSpin Server during installation, removal, or upgrade as a domain user who is a member of the Domain Admin group and the local Admin group.

Windows Authentication for your Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition database server is supported in domain environments. If you use Windows Authentication for your database server, when you perform the PlateSpin Migrate Server installation or upgrade, you must log in to the PlateSpin Server as the domain user with SQL Admin rights. This user must also have local administrator rights to the PlateSpin Server. In addition, the Service User you specify for SQL Server credentials must have local administrator rights.

IP Address

Assign the PlateSpin Server host a static IP address.

Co-location

Do not co-locate the PlateSpin Server with:

  • Your domain controller

  • Existing web servers with IIS applications

  • A workload that you intend to migrate by using the product

  • Other PlateSpin software (PlateSpin Protect and PlateSpin Recon)

Database

The Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition included with PlateSpin Migrate cannot be installed on a domain controller in accordance with Microsoft Developer Network recommendations.

If you intend to use your own Microsoft SQL Server database (instead of the Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Express Edition included in your software distribution), ensure that it is supported and conforms to the product’s database requirements. See SQL Server Installation Requirements for Platespin Protect and Migrate (KB Article 7009809).

While multiple PlateSpin Migrate Servers can use the same remote database server, each Migrate Server requires a separate database instance.

For deployment guidelines based on your operational needs, see Database Server in the PlateSpin Migrate 12.3 User Guide.

The database server and database instance for the Migrate Server must be available and configured to work with PlateSpin Migrate before you attempt to install the product. See Installing the Database Server.

UAC

Disable the User Account Control (UAC) during installation, removal, or upgrade.

Installation Workflow

Install the prerequisite software in the indicated order. Below is a high-level workflow for a typical PlateSpin Migrate installation:

  1. Supported operating system, followed by corresponding Windows Updates

  2. ASP.NET/IIS, followed by corresponding Windows Updates

  3. (Optional) Enable FIPS-Compliant Data Encryption

  4. SQL Server database, followed by applicable Microsoft updates

  5. PlateSpin Server

  6. (Conditional on your migration goals) PlateSpin Migrate Client

1.1.5 National Language Support

In addition to the English version of PlateSpin Migrate, the product has been localized for installation and use on machines configured for the Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, German, and Japanese languages. See Configuring Language Settings for International Versions in PlateSpin Migrate 12.3 User Guide.

Documentation is available in these languages as well as Spanish and Portuguese (Brazilian).