1---2name: azure-migrate3description: Expert knowledge for Azure Migrate development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when sizing and migrating VMs/SQL/PostgreSQL, configuring appliances/Arc, using AppCAT/CAST, or Private Link, and other Azure Migrate related development tasks. Not for Azure Database Migration Service (use azure-database-migration), Azure Site Recovery (use azure-site-recovery), Azure Virtual Machines (use azure-virtual-machines), SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (use azure-sql-virtual-machines).4---5# Azure Migrate Skill
6
7This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Migrate. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.
8
9## How to Use This Skill
10
11> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: Use the **Category Index** below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., `L35-L120`), use `read_file` with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., `[security.md](security.md)`), use `read_file` on the linked reference file
12
13> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: If `metadata.generated_at` is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If `mcp_microsoftdocs` tools are not available, suggest the user install it: [Installation Guide](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mcp/blob/main/README.md)
14
15This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content:
16- **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown.
17- **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown.
18
19## Category Index
20
21| Category | Lines | Description |
22|----------|-------|-------------|
23| Troubleshooting | L37-L55 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure Migrate issues: appliance setup, discovery/assessment errors, dependency analysis, project creation, private endpoints, VMware agentless replication, and OS/web app migration. |
24| Best Practices | L56-L66 | Best practices for preparing on-prem/VMware machines and appliances, configuring VM hydration, running test migrations, and creating custom/AppCAT/PostgreSQL assessment rules for Azure Migrate. |
25| Decision Making | L67-L106 | Deciding migration strategies with Azure Migrate/AppCAT: interpreting assessment reports, sizing and readiness, choosing tools/targets, and planning end-to-end migrations from on-prem, AWS, GCP, and VMware. |
26| Architecture & Design Patterns | L107-L112 | Architecture and data flow for Azure Migrate using Arc-based discovery and Hyper-V, including components, connectivity, prerequisites, and how discovery/inventory works. |
27| Limits & Quotas | L113-L125 | Support matrices, prerequisites, limits, regions, and scaling guidance for Azure Migrate appliances and migrations from VMware, Hyper-V, and physical servers. |
28| Security | L126-L137 | Securing Azure Migrate: least-privilege roles/accounts, Private Link discovery/migration, encrypted VM moves, Trusted Launch, RBAC, and Entra ID app registration. |
29| Configuration | L138-L162 | Configuring Azure Migrate appliances, Arc/agents, assessment settings (VM, SQL, PostgreSQL, .NET), private endpoints, landing zones, and Resource Mover destination/resource settings. |
30| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L163-L168 | Patterns and tools for integrating code analysis and automation into Azure Migrate, including GitHub Copilot insights, AppCAT CLI, CAST Highlight scans, and REST-based VMware migration. |
31| Deployment | L169-L179 | Guides for deploying Azure Migrate appliances, preparing legacy servers, configuring DevOps pipelines, and planning/executing cross-region VM and SQL moves with supported resource types. |
32
33### Troubleshooting
34| Topic | URL |
35|-------|-----|
36| Resolve Azure Migrate discovery and dependency issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/common-questions-discovery-dependency-analysis?view=migrate |
37| Diagnose and troubleshoot Azure Migrate appliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-appliance-diagnostic?view=migrate |
38| Troubleshoot Azure Migrate appliance deployment problems | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-appliance?view=migrate |
39| FAQ for troubleshooting Azure Migrate assessments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-assessment-faq?view=migrate |
40| Troubleshooting scenarios for Azure Migrate assessments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-assessment-supported-scenarios?view=migrate |
41| Resolve common Azure Migrate assessment issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-assessment?view=migrate |
42| Troubleshoot agentless VMware replication in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-changed-block-tracking-replication?view=migrate |
43| Troubleshoot Azure Migrate dependency analysis issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-dependencies?view=migrate |
44| Troubleshoot Azure Migrate server and SQL discovery | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-discovery?view=migrate |
45| Troubleshoot common Azure Migrate service issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-general?view=migrate |
46| Troubleshoot Azure Migrate private endpoint connectivity | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-network-connectivity?view=migrate |
47| Troubleshoot Azure Migrate project creation issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-project?view=migrate |
48| Troubleshoot slow or stuck VMware agentless migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-replication-vmware?view=migrate |
49| Troubleshoot Windows OS upgrade in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-upgrade?view=migrate |
50| Troubleshoot Azure Migrate web app migration issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/troubleshoot-webapps-migration?view=migrate |
51
52### Best Practices
53| Topic | URL |
54|-------|-----|
55| Develop custom YAML rules for AppCAT 7 assessments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/appcat/appcat-7-rule-guide?view=migrate |
56| Apply PostgreSQL assessment rules for Azure migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/assessment-rules-for-postgresql?view=migrate |
57| Apply security best practices to Azure Migrate appliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/best-practices-security?view=migrate |
58| Best practices for test migrations of virtual machines | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-test-replicating-virtual-machines?view=migrate |
59| Use Azure Migrate hydration process for VM configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/hydration-process?view=migrate |
60| Prepare VMware VMs for agentless migration to Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/prepare-for-agentless-migration?view=migrate |
61| Prepare on-premises machines for Azure migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/prepare-for-migration?view=migrate |
62
63### Decision Making
64| Topic | URL |
65|-------|-----|
66| Interpret AppCAT 7 Java migration readiness reports | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/appcat/appcat-7-interpret-report?view=migrate |
67| Assess Java apps with legacy AppCAT 6 engine | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/appcat/java-6?view=migrate |
68| Decide when to use AppCAT 7 for Java migrations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/appcat/java?view=migrate |
69| Configure Azure Migrate assessment general properties | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/assessment-properties?view=migrate |
70| Interpret Azure Migrate assessment report outputs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/assessment-report?view=migrate |
71| Interpret Azure Migrate business case calculations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/concepts-business-case-calculation?view=migrate |
72| Evaluate performance coverage in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/confidence-ratings?view=migrate |
73| Choose the right Azure Migrate discovery method | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/discovery-methods-modes?view=migrate |
74| Use Azure Migrate to build a migration business case | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-build-a-business-case?view=migrate |
75| Plan VMware-to-Azure migrations with Copilot agent | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-plan-analyze-migration-with-agent?view=migrate |
76| Plan Azure network components with Migrate assessments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/network-assessment?view=migrate |
77| Plan migration waves with Azure Migrate Wave Planning | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/overview?view=migrate |
78| Evaluate readiness and savings for Arc-enabled servers | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/quickstart-evaluate-readiness-savings-for-arc-resources?view=migrate |
79| Interpret and review Azure VM migration assessments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/review-assessment?view=migrate |
80| Review Azure VMware Solution assessment outputs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/review-azure-vmware-solution-assessment?view=migrate |
81| Interpret SQL migration assessments in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/review-sql-assessment?view=migrate |
82| Review web app assessment insights for Azure migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/review-web-app-assessment?view=migrate |
83| Choose agentless vs agent-based migration in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/server-migrate-overview?view=migrate |
84| Select supported geographies for Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/supported-geographies?view=migrate |
85| Choose performance vs as-is sizing in assessments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/target-right-sizing?view=migrate |
86| Review PostgreSQL assessment results in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/tutorial-review-postgresql-report?view=migrate |
87| Choose Azure compute equivalents for AWS workloads | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-compute-from-aws |
88| Select Azure database services for AWS migrations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-databases-from-aws |
89| Plan migration of GCP databases to Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-databases-from-google-cloud |
90| Select Azure services when migrating from AWS | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-from-aws |
91| Choose Azure services when migrating on-premises workloads | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-from-on-premises |
92| Map AWS networking services to Azure networking | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-networking-from-aws |
93| Plan migration of AWS security services to Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-security-from-aws |
94| Plan and execute single-workload migrations to Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-to-azure |
95| Decommission AWS resources after Azure migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-workload-from-aws-decommission |
96| Evaluate workload health after AWS to Azure migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-workload-from-aws-evaluate |
97| Execute AWS to Azure workload cutover safely | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-workload-from-aws-execute |
98| End-to-end guidance for migrating one AWS workload | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-workload-from-aws-introduction |
99| Plan an AWS to Azure workload migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-workload-from-aws-plan |
100| Prepare AWS workloads and Azure environment for migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migration/migrate-workload-from-aws-prepare |
101| Choose tools for moving Azure resources across regions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/resource-mover/select-options-to-move-resources |
102
103### Architecture & Design Patterns
104| Topic | URL |
105|-------|-----|
106| Understand Arc-based discovery architecture in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/concepts-arc-resource-discovery?view=migrate |
107| Understand Hyper-V migration architecture in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/hyper-v-migration-architecture?view=migrate |
108
109### Limits & Quotas
110| Topic | URL |
111|-------|-----|
112| Use Azure Migrate in unsupported regions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/azure-migrate-unsupported-regions?view=migrate |
113| Scale out Azure Migrate appliance for large VMware moves | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-scale-out-for-migration?view=migrate |
114| Review Azure Migrate appliance prerequisites and support | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-appliance?view=migrate |
115| Hyper-V to Azure migration support matrix | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-support-matrix-hyper-v-migration?view=migrate |
116| Review Hyper-V discovery and assessment support matrix in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-support-matrix-hyper-v?view=migrate |
117| Understand physical server discovery and assessment support limits in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-support-matrix-physical?view=migrate |
118| Support matrix and limits for VMware vSphere migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-support-matrix-vmware-migration?view=migrate |
119| Check VMware discovery prerequisites and support limits in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-support-matrix-vmware?view=migrate |
120| Review Azure Migrate support matrix and limitations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-support-matrix?view=migrate |
121
122### Security
123| Topic | URL |
124|-------|-----|
125| Configure least-privilege VMware roles for Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/best-practices-least-privileged-account?view=migrate |
126| Migrate VMware VMs with SSE and customer-managed keys | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-migrate-vmware-vms-with-cmk-disks?view=migrate |
127| Register Azure Migrate appliance using Entra ID app | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-register-appliance-using-entra-app?view=migrate |
128| Create minimal-permission SQL account for Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/least-privilege-credentials?view=migrate |
129| Migrate Hyper-V servers using Private Link endpoints | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-hyper-v-servers-to-azure-using-private-link?view=migrate |
130| Configure least-privilege PostgreSQL account for Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/postgresql-least-privilege-configuration?view=migrate |
131| Configure Azure RBAC roles for Azure Migrate projects | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/prepare-azure-accounts?view=migrate |
132| Move encrypted Azure VMs between regions with Resource Mover | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/resource-mover/tutorial-move-region-encrypted-virtual-machines |
133
134### Configuration
135| Topic | URL |
136|-------|-----|
137| Configure Azure Migrate appliance server credentials | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/add-server-credentials?view=migrate |
138| Use AppCAT 7 CLI commands and options | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/appcat/appcat-7-cli-guide?view=migrate |
139| Configure AppCAT for .NET application migration assessments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/appcat/dotnet?view=migrate |
140| Meet Azure Migrate assessment prerequisites and settings | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/assessment-prerequisites?view=migrate |
141| Migrate dependency analysis from MMA to Azure Monitor Agent | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/azure-monitor-agent-migration?view=migrate |
142| Understand Azure Migrate discovered metadata fields | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/discovered-metadata?view=migrate |
143| Enable Azure Arc for servers discovered by Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-arc-enable-inventory?view=migrate |
144| Discover SQL Server instances in existing Migrate projects | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-discover-sql-existing-project?view=migrate |
145| Enable extra data collection on Arc-enabled servers | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-enable-additional-data-collection-for-arc-servers?view=migrate |
146| Manage Arc resource synchronization in Azure Migrate projects | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-manage-arc-resource-sync?view=migrate |
147| Register Azure Migrate appliance via Azure Arc agent | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-register-appliance-using-arc-agent?view=migrate |
148| Configure Azure Migrate appliance for physical servers | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-set-up-appliance-physical?view=migrate |
149| Configure Azure Migrate with Private Endpoints and Private Link | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-use-azure-migrate-with-private-endpoints?view=migrate |
150| Reference for Azure Migrate Collector VM extension settings | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/migrate-virtual-machine-extension-reference?view=migrate |
151| Configure Azure Migrate Platform Landing Zone settings | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/platform-landing-zone?view=migrate |
152| Use built-in Azure Policy definitions for Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/policy-reference?view=migrate |
153| Configure PostgreSQL assessment properties in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/postgresql-assessment-properties?view=migrate |
154| Create Azure Migrate project using ARM template | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/quickstart-create-migrate-project?view=migrate |
155| Set Azure VM assessment properties in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/vm-assessment-properties?view=migrate |
156| Manage resources created during VM move with Resource Mover | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/resource-mover/manage-resources-created-move-process |
157| Configure destination settings for VM moves with Resource Mover | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/resource-mover/modify-target-settings |
158
159### Integrations & Coding Patterns
160| Topic | URL |
161|-------|-----|
162| Integrate CAST Highlight code scans with Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/cast-highlights-integration?view=migrate |
163| Automate VMware to Azure migration via Site Recovery REST | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-automate-vmware-to-azure-migration-rest-api?view=migrate |
164
165### Deployment
166| Topic | URL |
167|-------|-----|
168| Deploy Azure Migrate appliance in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/deploy-appliance-script-government?view=migrate |
169| Deploy Azure Migrate appliance using PowerShell script | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/deploy-appliance-script?view=migrate |
170| Execute and track migration waves in Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-execute-track-waves?view=migrate |
171| Prepare Windows Server 2003 for Azure Migrate | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/prepare-windows-server-2003-migration?view=migrate |
172| Configure Azure DevOps pipelines for containerized apps | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/tutorial-app-containerization-azure-pipeline?view=migrate |
173| Supported extension resource types in Azure Resource Mover | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/resource-mover/support-matrix-extension-resource-types |
174| Check support matrix for cross-region Azure VM moves | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/resource-mover/support-matrix-move-region-azure-vm |
175| Support matrix for moving Azure SQL resources between regions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/resource-mover/support-matrix-move-region-sql |
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