Separate the three knowledge layers
| Concept | Question answered | Core content |
|---|---|---|
| Three-phase process | In what order does the project proceed? | Assess → Mobilize → Migrate & Modernize |
| AWS CAF | Who participates and which capabilities are needed? | Business, People, Governance, Platform, Security, Operations |
| 7Rs | What happens to each application? | Rehost, Relocate, Replatform, Refactor, Repurchase, Retain, Retire |
Service responsibility map
| Service | Responsible for | Not responsible for |
|---|---|---|
| Migration Evaluator | TCO, licensing, business case | Executing replication |
| Application Discovery Service | Assets, processes, connections, dependencies | Dedicated TCO modeling |
| Migration Hub / AWS Transform | Planning, collaboration, progress | Being the main replication engine |
| AWS Transform MGN | Continuous block replication of servers | Database schema conversion |
| AWS DMS | Database full load and CDC | Rewriting every application query |
| AWS SCT | Assessing and converting schemas/code objects | Continuously moving business data |
| AWS DataSync | Online file/object migration and synchronization | Providing a persistent mount interface |
| AWS Transfer Family | SFTP, FTPS, FTP, and AS2 exchange | Being a bulk migration engine |
| Direct Connect | A stable dedicated network path | Copying data by itself |
| Snowball Edge | Offline physical transfer in legacy questions | New-customer availability |
Selection shortcuts
- Homogeneous database migration commonly uses DMS; heterogeneous engines commonly use SCT plus DMS.
- Move many files automatically with DataSync; preserve business file-transfer protocols with Transfer Family.
- Use Direct Connect for a long-lived dedicated network path; legacy offline-device questions point to Snowball Edge.
Current names
- AWS Application Migration Service was rebranded AWS Transform MGN; its capabilities, APIs, and replication engine remain unchanged.
- Courses still use names such as Migration Hub, Application Discovery Service, and Snowball Edge, while real projects must check current entry points and availability.
Key takeaway
Evaluator models, Discovery maps, Hub coordinates, MGN moves servers; SCT converts structure, DMS moves database data; DataSync moves files, Transfer receives files, and Direct Connect supplies the path.