Windows File Server migration - do we need additional disk space?

Question

Hi, I am trying for the first time to migrate a WS 2012R2 to WS2022 using storage migration service. Everything will be alright because I am migration a smaller file server in a small office so if something goes haywire it wont be an armageddon. During the steps I am asked to map the drives from the source to the destination server, however on the destination server I do not have E:\ drive which is 10TB large on the source server. Does the migration require always additional disk space or can it be also done with only migrating the C:\ and de attaching E:\ in hyper-v and mounting it on the destination file server? This sound to easy but I do not know the answer.

Answer 1

Hi, I'd be happy to help you out with your question. Sorry for the inconvenience caused. It's great that you're taking steps to ensure a smooth migration process. Regarding your question about whether you'll need additional disk space, the answer is yes. The Storage Migration Service requires additional disk space on the destination server to complete the migration. This is because the migration service creates a temporary staging area on the destination server where the data is copied before it's moved to its final destination. To ensure a successful migration, it's essential to ensure that you have enough disk space on the destination server before starting the migration. Otherwise, you may encounter issues during the migration process, and it may fail. Regarding your suggestion to detach the E:\ drive from the source server and mount it on the destination server, I would not recommend this approach. The Storage Migration Service is specifically designed to migrate data and settings from one server to another using its migration tool. Attempting to detach and attach drives manually can be complicated and may result in data loss or corruption. If you have any other questions or need assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm here to help.

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