Data Migration to a New NAS
Moving to a new NAS is the point where data is most likely to be lost or permissions broken. We plan the move, copy the data with a check that it arrived intact, and switch people over with as little disruption as possible.
Where we migrate from
- An older NAS of the same or a different brand
- Windows file servers, with shares and NTFS permissions
- External USB drives and loose disks
- Cloud storage such as Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox
How the move runs
We copy the bulk of the data while people keep working on the old system, then run a short final sync out of hours and switch the shares over. People come in to the same folder names and drive letters.
We compare file counts and sizes between old and new, and spot-check files by opening them. The old storage stays untouched until you confirm everything is there.
Common questions
Will we lose access during migration?
Only during the final switch, which we schedule out of working hours. For most offices that is an evening.
Can drives from an old NAS be moved straight into a new one?
Sometimes, within the same brand and between supported models. It is not possible between brands, and we always take a backup first.
What happens to the old NAS?
Often it becomes the off-site or second backup target, if it is still healthy. Otherwise we wipe the drives before it is disposed of.