IMAP

How to Use Synology Migration Assistant?

Synology Migration Assistant is an add-on package to transfer data, system settings, applications, and user configurations between Synology NAS devices. To know how to use this, I am going to discuss how you can use this tool, what the advantages and disadvantages are, and the alternative solutions to move to another account.

Whenever you have to migrate Synology NAS to another device, you have to install the Migration Assistant software. The reason it is developed is to reduce the manual copying of the files or reconfigure settings. It is mostly used when you have to upgrade to a new model, replace outdated hardware, or expand your storage. This tool provides you with several benefits

Benefits of Using Synology Migration Assistant

• You can migrate a large amount of data and configuration without the complex manual process.
• It preserves user accounts, permissions, shared folders, and system configuration after the migration.
• You can transfer various installed packages and applications with associated settings.
• With minimal disruptions, organizations can move to a new NAS regularly.
• This way, it reduces human errors like missing files, incorrect configurations, or permission issues.
• The process is secure, so you can directly transfer between Synology devices.
• It saves time to manually recreate users, folders, and settings on the destination NAS.
• Migration Assistant is like an incremental migration, as it continuously syncs new changes up until the final switchover.
• Users can stop their process at any time and resume it in case of any issues, like power outages or network drops.

So, this is very helpful during the migration process. But you can’t simply start the process, as you have to first follow some prerequisites.

Requirements for Using Migration Assistant

• Make sure both your source and destination devices are compatible with Synology Migration Assistant.
• Certain entry-level or legacy NAS models do not support Migration Assistant. So, your destination device must be equal to or more powerful than the source NAS.
• Make sure you check the official Synology compatible list before planning.
• Your source and destination NAS must run on DiskStation Manager versions and update both systems to the latest DSM version.
• Also, make sure the installed packages are compatible with the DSM version on the destination device, as several DSM version mismatches lead to several errors.
• Keep your source and destination NAS must connect reliable network connection. Also, Firewalls and network security settings should be the same on both devices.
• Make sure your destination NAD has enough storage space to store all the data.
• You must have administrator credentials on both the source and the destination NAS. Also, you must have adequate permissions to install and run Migration Assistant.
• Not all types of Synology Packages are supported, assistant. Verify the package compatibility beforehand.
• With a different NAS architecture, hardware-specific settings are difficult to transfer.
• Create a backup of your data before starting the process.

Properly follow these tips before you start using Synology Migration Assistant to easily migrate data between NAS devices.

What Data You Can Migrate from the Synology Assistant Package?

Do you know what data you can migrate or not migrate? Below is the list of data that Migration Assistant transfers.

• User data
• Installed packages, their settings, and data.
• System configurations

What Assistant not to Transfer

• Licenses
• Network and Security Settings
• Specific applications like MailPlus Clusters, etc
• File systems ht are not supported

If you are using the Assistant for the first time, you have to first properly download and install the packages. Below are the steps.

How to Install Synology Migration Assistant Add-on Tool?

1. Search for DiskStation Manager and log in to your new NAS.
2. Click the Main menu icon and open Package Center.
3. Type Migration Assistant in the search bar. Then, click the Install or Join button.
4. Wait for a few minutes to download the package, and it will install automatically.
5. Open the application in the package center or launch it. This will open the Migration Wizard and Press Next after reading the welcome prompt.
6. Provide your old or duplicate NAS details for connection. the server or IP Address and the admin credentials.
7. Hit Next, and if 2FA is enabled, verify this for migration. The tool runs an automated system compatibility check to confirm the storage space and other important requirements.
8. Review the summary and press Apply. Type the admin password of the new NAS to authorize the replacement of empty setup data on the new device. Click Submit.

Now, after properly installing the package. Go to the steps below, and use them for the migration.

How to Use Synology Migration Assistant?

It is a three-phase procedure where you have to prepare your systems, the live replication phase, and the final service switch. In this, your source NAS is online and accessible to users. I am going to start with preparing your old Synology NAS, which is Phase 1.

1. First of all, stop any active backup plan in Hyper backup or Active backup for business
2. Pause running containers in Container Manager or Virtual Machines to free their data state.
3. If the old NAS is part of Synology High Availability, dissolve the cluster.
4. Stop recording schedules in Surveillance Station to prevent data streams from interrupting block replication.

Phase 2: Sync and Run Migration

1. In the new NAS device, log in to the DSM interface.
2. Open Migration Assistant, then select Migrate data from another Synology NAS. Hit Next.
3. Provide the IP address and Administrator credentials of the old device. Press Next.
4. Choose Migration Mode from System and Data or Data Only.
5. Select how you want to map old volumes to new drives and click the Next button.
6. Review your checklist, and if warnings appear, troubleshoot the details.
7. Press the Apply button to begin and provide the administrator password of the new NAS.

Phase 3: Transfer Data

Now, the migration is done in three stages.

1. System Sync: It is created in a way that targets the volume and applies system configurations.
2. Data Replication: then, the tool copies the bulk data block by block. It will take a long time, depending on the network and storage size.
3. Delta Sync: after that, any files modified by network users on the old NAS during stage 2 are instantly updated on the new NAS.

By properly following these phases, you can now automatically migrate a Synology NAS to another. However, it does not transfer the MailPlus Server. If you also want to migrate your emails. Then, yo u can use FreeViewer IMAP Migration Tool, a specialized software that can easily transfer your emails without transferring the device.

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Conclusion

Synology Migration Assistant is an add-on tool to help in transferring between Synology NAS. Therefore, in this, I have explained how to install the Migration Assistant and how to use it in three phases. Make sure you properly follow the requirements.