Cloud Migration Testing: Ensuring a Seamless Transition

Test Infrastructure & End-to-End Testing Cloud
Cloud Migration Testing: Ensuring a
Seamless Transition
Cloud computing has become a vital part of modern IT infrastructure,
offering flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. As organizations

increasingly move from on-premises infrastructure to cloud
environments, it is crucial to ensure that this migration process
doesn’t introduce new issues or degrade the performance of existing
systems. This article delves into cloud migration testing, discussing
key aspects, testing strategies, challenges, and examples that
illustrate why a well-planned migration test strategy is essential.
Key Terminology
What is Cloud?
The cloud refers to a network of remote servers hosted on the internet,
which store, manage, and process data. Services such as Amazon
Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform
(GCP) provide on-demand computing resources. These services help
companies scale their IT needs based on demand without managing
physical hardware.
What is On-Premise?
On-premise, popularly known as on-prem, refers to software and
hardware located physically within an organization’s premises. In

traditional setups, companies maintain their own servers, networks,
and storage infrastructure, often requiring high maintenance and
operational costs.
What is Cloud Migration?
Cloud migration is the process of moving data, applications, and
workloads from on-premises environments to cloud environments.
Depending on the migration strategy, this could involve either moving
applications as-is (known as lift-and-shift) or optimizing them for the
cloud.
What gets migrated?
During cloud migration, several critical components can be moved
from on-premises environments to cloud infrastructures.
Understanding these components and their significance helps ensure
a smooth transition and optimal performance in the new environment.
The main categories of migration include:

Applications
Applications are at the core of most migration efforts. This category
encompasses both front-end and back-end systems.
● Front-End Applications: These are the client-facing interfaces
and user-side components that users interact with. For instance,
a web application like an online banking system includes a
website interface that customers use to check their balances,
transfer funds, and manage their accounts.
● Back-End Systems: These components handle the application’s
logic, database interactions, and business rules. They are
typically less visible to users but are crucial for application
functionality. For example, the server-side application that
processes transactions, interacts with the database to retrieve
user information, and ensures that all data is handled correctly.
Example: Consider a retail company that has an online shopping
platform. During migration, the entire application stack, including the
front-end (the shopping cart interface, product pages, and user
account sections) and back-end services (order processing, inventory

management, and payment processing), is migrated to a cloud
environment like AWS or Azure.
Data
Data is a critical component of cloud migration, including various
types of information stored within the organization’s systems. This
can include:
● Databases: Structured data stored in relational databases, such
as customer information, transaction records, and product
inventories. For instance, a MySQL database containing
customer profiles, orders, and product details would be migrated
to a cloud database service like Amazon RDS or Azure SQL
Database.
● Logs: System logs that capture activity, errors, and user
interactions. These logs are vital for troubleshooting and
monitoring system performance. For example, an application
might generate logs for every user action, such as logging in,
making purchases, or generating reports.
● User-Generated Content: Any content created by users, such as
comments, product reviews, or uploaded images. For a social

media platform, this could mean migrating all user posts, likes,
and shares to the cloud.
Example: In the case of a cloud-based photo-sharing application, the
migration process would involve transferring large volumes of
user-uploaded photos and metadata (like titles, descriptions, and tags)
from local servers to a cloud storage solution like Amazon S3. This
allows for scalable storage and easy access for users across the
globe.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure includes all the hardware and software components
that support the applications and data. This involves:
● Servers: Physical or virtual machines that host applications and
data. Migrating these servers involves moving them to
cloud-based services like AWS EC2 instances or Azure Virtual
Machines, which provide scalable computing resources.
● Storage: Data storage solutions, such as file systems, databases,
and object storage. For example, migrating on-premises file
storage (like shared drives) to cloud storage solutions like

Google Drive or Azure Blob Storage ensures data is accessible
and protected.
● Networking: The network configuration that allows different
components of the application to communicate with each other.
This could include setting up virtual private clouds (VPCs),
subnets, and firewalls in the cloud environment to mirror the
on-prem network setup.
● Security Configurations: Security measures such as firewalls,
encryption protocols, and access controls are crucial for
protecting data and applications in the cloud. Ensuring these
configurations are correctly implemented in the new environment
is vital to maintain security standards.
Example: A company running a customer relationship management
(CRM) system on-prem may migrate its entire IT infrastructure,
including servers that host the CRM software, databases storing
customer data, and networking configurations that connect various
components. After migration to a cloud service, the CRM becomes
accessible via the internet, allowing remote teams to access customer
information and collaborate more efficiently.

What to Test in Cloud Migration
Cloud migration testing is essential to verify that all components of
the system work as expected post-migration. Key areas to test
include:
Smoke Testing the Front-End Application
Smoke tests ensure that the basic functionality of the front-end works
after migration. This includes verifying:
● Access to the Application: Can users still reach the application
via the correct URL?
● UI Rendering: Are all UI elements loading and displaying
correctly?
● User Actions: Can users perform core tasks like logging in or
submitting forms?
Example: If you migrate a healthcare portal, a smoke test would check
whether doctors can log in to view patient records and whether
patients can schedule appointments.

Database Migration Testing
Database testing ensures the integrity of data after migration. Key
points include:
● Table and Row Counts: Ensure that the number of tables and
rows match pre-migration counts.
Example: If your on-prem database has 50 tables, the cloud-based
database should have the same. You can verify that each table has the
same number of rows pre- and post-migration.
● Stored Procedures: Ensure stored procedures still function
correctly after the migration.
Example: In an e-commerce platform, if you have a stored procedure
for calculating discounts based on user profiles, you should verify that
it works as expected after migration.
● Data Integrity: Ensure that no data is lost or corrupted during
migration.

Testing Across Various Environments
Testing across development, staging, and production environments is
crucial to avoid environment-specific issues.
Example: During migration, ensure that the configuration settings (like
database connection strings or API endpoints) are correct in each
environment.
Running Automation Suite
Running an existing automation suite after migration helps catch
functional bugs that could arise from the new infrastructure. The
automation suite configurations should be updated to point to the
cloud environment.
Example: If your suite includes tests for checking the login process,
ensure that it still works after pointing to the cloud-based database.
Integration with Third-Party Systems

If your application integrates with third-party services (such as
payment gateways, authentication providers, or CRM tools), testing
those integrations is critical.
Example: If an application uses an external payment gateway, after
migration, ensure that transactions still go through and are recorded
correctly.
Non-Functional Testing
Non-functional testing focuses on the performance, scalability, and
security aspects of the application after migration.
Performance Testing
● API Response Times: Measure how quickly APIs respond in the
cloud environment compared to on-prem.
Example: If an API call to fetch a user’s order history takes 500ms
on-prem but 1.5 seconds after migration, it signals a performance
issue that needs investigation.

● Application Load Testing: Assess how the application handles
increased load in the cloud.
Example: A web application designed to handle 1,000 users
concurrently may need to be tested for 5,000 users in the cloud to
verify that auto-scaling features work.
Security Testing
Ensure that security protocols such as encryption, access controls,
and certificates are in place post-migration.
Example: An application using HTTPS on-prem should ensure that SSL
certificates are correctly configured and renewed in the cloud.
Cloud Migration Testing
Approaches
Different migration strategies require different testing approaches:

Lift and Shift
This strategy involves migrating the application without significant
architectural modifications. Testing should ensure that the application
functions the same way it did in its on-prem environment.
Example: A financial firm might move their accounting software to the
cloud without changing its architecture. The testing would primarily
focus on ensuring that transactions, calculations, and reports are
generated correctly.
Lift and Optimize
Here, applications are modified to take advantage of cloud-native
features like auto scaling and serverless functions. Testing should
focus on both the functional aspects and new features.
Example: An e-commerce platform may migrate to the cloud and then
refactor its application to use serverless functions for order
processing. Testing should verify that the new architecture scales
effectively under load and that all order-related functionalities work
seamlessly.

Partial Migration
In partial migration, some sections of the application remain
on-premises while others move to the cloud. This requires thorough
testing to ensure both environments interact correctly.
Example: A hybrid architecture where customer-facing applications
are in the cloud while sensitive data remains on-premises due to
compliance regulations. Testing must confirm that the two
environments can communicate effectively, especially for data
transfers and user sessions.
Verifying Success Post-Migration
Once migration testing is complete, organizations should verify that
the application meets the expected performance and functional
criteria. Key steps include:
● User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Involve end-users to validate
that the application meets their needs and expectations.

● Monitoring Post-Migration: Implement monitoring solutions to
track application performance, user interactions, and system
health in the cloud environment.
Cloud Testing Infrastructure
A robust cloud testing infrastructure is essential for effective testing.
It typically includes
● Cloud-Based Test Environments: Set up testing environments
that mirror production settings to ensure accurate testing
outcomes.
● Test Automation Tools: Leverage cloud-based testing tools for
continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines
to facilitate regular testing during and after migration.
Testing Across Clouds

If migrating between different cloud providers, it’s crucial to validate
compatibility and functionality across different cloud services.
Example: Moving an application from AWS to Azure may require
testing for API compatibility, performance differences, and data
handling between the two platforms.
Benefits and Risks of Cloud
Migration Testing
Benefits
● Enhanced Performance: Identifying and addressing performance
issues before they impact users can enhance the overall user
experience.
● Reduced Downtime: Effective migration testing helps minimize
application downtime during migration, ensuring business
continuity.
● Increased Confidence: Thorough testing provides stakeholders
with confidence that the migration will meet business goals.

Risks
● Data Loss: Insufficient testing can lead to data loss during
migration.
● Downtime: Unforeseen issues can cause application downtime,
affecting user access and business operations.
● Incompatibility Issues: Applications may not work as expected in
the new cloud environment if compatibility isn’t thoroughly
tested.
Challenges in Cloud Migration
Testing
● Legacy Systems: Testing older systems that may not be
compatible with cloud environments can be challenging and may
require additional effort.
Example: A manufacturing company relying on a legacy ERP system
may face difficulties migrating data due to outdated technologies.

● Operational Changes: Organizations may need to adapt to new
operational processes in the cloud, which can complicate testing
efforts.
Conclusion
Cloud migration is a critical process that requires careful planning and
testing to ensure success. By understanding what to test, adopting
appropriate testing strategies, and addressing the associated
challenges, organizations can achieve a seamless transition to the
cloud. With thorough testing, businesses can leverage the full benefits
of cloud computing while minimizing risks, ensuring that their
applications and data remain secure, accessible, and high-performing.
Source: This blog was originally published at
https://testgrid.io/blog/cloud-migration-testing/

Cloud Migration Testing: Ensuring a Seamless Transition

More Related Content

Similar to Cloud Migration Testing: Ensuring a Seamless Transition (20)

More from ronikakashyap1 (18)

Recently uploaded (20)

Cloud Migration Testing: Ensuring a Seamless Transition