Seamlessly Migrate to AEM Cloud— Unlock Efficiency With the Content Transfer Tool (CTT)

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) as a Cloud Service is a cloud-native content management solution offered by Adobe. It is part of the Adobe Experience Cloud suite, designed to help businesses deliver personalized and consistent digital experiences across multiple channels.

However, transitioning to AEM Cloud isn’t without its challenges. Migrating huge content from legacy on-premise AEM instances or Adobe Managed Services (AMS) to the cloud can be a complex and resource-intensive process. Businesses often face obstacles such as maintaining content integrity, ensuring seamless migration of user groups, and reducing downtime during the transition.

This is where the Content Transfer Tool (CTT) comes into play. 

Developed by Adobe, the Content Transfer Tool simplifies migration by automating the transfer of content and user groups from the source AEM instance to AEM Cloud. Seamlessly integrated with the Cloud Acceleration Manager, this tool empowers organizations to migrate efficiently while minimizing the risks associated with manual migrations.

This article explores the key features and prerequisites of using the Content Transfer Tool (CTT), step-by-step guidance on using CTT, and best practices to ensure a seamless migration process.

Essential Features of the Content Transfer Tool (CTT)

• Automate Content Migration
  CTT automates the transfer of repository content from on-premises AEM instances or AEM-managed services to AEM as a Cloud Service. By eliminating manual intervention, it simplifies the migration process, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Incremental Migration Capabilities
  The tool supports staged content transfers, enabling businesses to migrate their data in smaller batches. This minimizes downtime and ensures ongoing operations remain unaffected during the migration.
• Pre-Migration Validation and Analysis
  Before the migration begins, CTT performs a comprehensive analysis of your content repository. This step identifies potential issues, validates the content, and prepares it for seamless transfer, reducing risks associated with the process.
• Optimizes Data Handling for Large-Scale Transfers
  Designed to handle large datasets, CTT ensures efficient data transfers by leveraging advanced optimization techniques. It maintains data integrity and ensures that even complex migrations are performed without performance bottlenecks.
• Intuitive and User-Friendly Interface
  With a focus on user experience, CTT provides an interface that simplifies configuration and execution. Even users with limited technical expertise can easily navigate the tool, ensuring efficient use of resources.

Related Read: Seamlessly Share Digital Assets From Different AEM Instances With Connect Assets

Prepare Your AEM Environment for Seamless Content Migration With Content Transfer Tool

1. AEM Version Compatibility: Ensure your source AEM instance runs version 6.3 or later for seamless migration with the Content Transfer Tool. This version ensures compatibility with all the necessary features and optimizations required for a smooth transfer.
2. Segment Store Size Limitations: The Content Transfer Tool supports repositories with fewer than 750 million JCR nodes and up to 500 GB (online compacted size) on Author instances, and 50 GB on Publish instances. For larger repositories, you can connect with Adobe Customer Care for guidance.
3. Total Content Repository Size: The Content Transfer Tool is designed to handle content repositories up to 20 terabytes for the File Data Store type. If your repository exceeds this limit, Adobe Customer Care can help discuss possible solutions, including support for larger repositories via Amazon S3 or Azure Data Stores.
4. Lucene Index Size Limitations: A maximum of 25 GB for Lucene Index size is supported, excluding specific paths such as /oak:index/lucene and /oak:index/damAssetLucene. Larger index sizes may require assistance for special handling and options.
5. Handling Immutable Paths: The Content Transfer Tool does not support the migration of content stored in immutable paths. For paths under /etc, migration is possible, but only in specific cases like transferring AEM Forms content to AEM Forms as a Cloud Service.
6. MongoDB Node Property Value Restrictions: MongoDB enforces a 16 MB limit on node property values. If any property values exceed this limit, the migration will fail. Before starting the transfer, ensure large property values are reviewed and converted into Binary values using an oak-run script.
7. Access Rights and Permissions: Admin access to both the source AEM instance and the target AEM as a Cloud Service is required to perform a successful migration. Ensuring proper permissions is crucial for the smooth execution of the migration process.
8. Preparing the Source Environment: Ensure the source AEM environment is stable, well-maintained, and optimized for migration. A well-prepared source system reduces the risk of complications and enables a faster, more efficient migration.
9. Network Configuration: Ensure necessary network permissions are in place for connectivity between your source environment and AEM as a Cloud Service. Proper network configuration is essential for the uninterrupted transfer of content during migration.
10. Content Review and Cleanup: Conduct a thorough audit of the content before migration. Cleaning up unnecessary or outdated content can significantly reduce the amount of data transferred, leading to a faster and more efficient migration process.

Related Read: How to Integrate AEM Forms With Payment Gateways 

Simplify Content Migration in AEM With CTT: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Download the CTT Package via Software Distribution

1. Access the Software Distribution link provided by Adobe.

2. Under the filter section, select the software type as “Tooling.”

3. In the search bar, type “Content Transfer Tool (CTT).”

4. Select the appropriate result, accept the terms, and download the package.

Step 2: Install CTT in AEM 6.5 Package Manager

1. Use the AEM Package Manager to install the CTT package in your environment’s AEM 6.5 instance.

2. Post-installation, the “Content Transfer” module will be visible under Tools > Operations.

3. Log in using your Adobe ID or Federated ID.

Step 3: Create a New Project

1. Navigate to Experience Manager > Cloud Acceleration Manager (CAM).

2. Provide a project name, e.g., “AMEX Project,” and click “Create”.

3. Open the project and proceed with further actions.

Step 4: Create a Migration Set in Cloud Acceleration Manager (CAM)

1. Go to the “Migration Sets” section within your project.

2. Click “Create Migration Set” and provide a name (e.g., “AMEX Content Migration”).

3. Copy the Extraction Key by clicking “Copy Extraction Key” in the flyout menu.

Step 5: Content Migration in AEM 6.5 Local Instance

1. Access the “Content Transfer” module in your local AEM 6.5 instance.

2. Go to the “Migration Sets” section within your project.

3. Click “Create Migration Set” and the name will be automatically set when you paste the key. 

4. Paste the copied Extraction Key and select the desired content paths.

5. Enable “Include Versions” if necessary. This includes the /var/audit path for migrating audit events. (Optional) 

6. Save the migration set, check its size, and ensure accuracy.

Step 6: Extraction Phase

1. Start the extraction process by selecting the migration set and clicking “Extract”.

2. Configure the following settings:

• Overwrite Staging Container: Enable only if content paths are updated in the migration set.
• Pre-Copy Datastore to Staging Container: Enable for initial migrations; disable for smaller or incremental migrations.

3. Monitor the extraction status via the “View Progress” link. When completed, the status in CAM will update to “Ready to Ingest”.

Step 7: Ingestion Phase

1. Navigate to “Ingestion Jobs” in CAM and click “New Ingestion”.

2. Ensure all prerequisites are fulfilled and select the AMEX Migration Set.

3. Configure ingestion settings:

• Wipe Existing Content: Recommended for clean migrations.
• Use Pre-Copy: Speeds up ingestion for large datasets (>200GB).

4. Begin the ingestion process and monitor progress via the “Ingestion Details” modal.

5. Post-ingestion, assets will be available in the target environment.

Step 8: Top-Up Migration

1. Test the addition and deletion of assets in a “Top-Up” migration scenario.

2. Update assets in the local environment and repeat the extraction and ingestion phases.

3. Ensure deleted assets are properly removed, and new assets are accurately migrated to the target environment.

Best Practices for Smooth Content Migration Using the Content Transfer Tool

• Carefully Plan Migration Sets
  To prevent data loss, ensure migration sets are well-defined, and avoid modifying paths after creation.
• Enable Wipe Mode for Efficiency
  Activate wipe mode to streamline and speed up the migration process.
• Disable Release Orchestrator
  Temporarily deactivate the Release Orchestrator feature by contacting Adobe Support during the migration.
  
• Use AZ Copy for Large Repositories
  Leverage AZ Copy for efficient content handling and faster transfer for extensive repositories.
• Be Aware of System Scaling
  Understand that the system may scale down during ingestion, potentially impacting live environments.
• Maintain Content Structure Integrity
  Ensure consistency in the content structure for smooth incremental migrations, minimizing potential disruptions.

Conclusion 

Migrating content with the Content Transfer Tool (CTT) is a critical step towards harnessing the power of AEM as a Cloud Service. By following best practices and ensuring thorough post-migration validation, businesses can optimize their content management processes for better performance, scalability, and security. 

Engaging with a trusted AEM partner like Grazitti Interactive can ensure that the migration is completed seamlessly. They also provide ongoing support, optimization, and customizations to meet evolving business needs. Ultimately, they empower businesses to maximize the benefits of AEM and position themselves for sustained growth.

Elevate Your Content Strategy in AEM With the Content Transfer Tool. Let’s Talk!