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Summary: Businesses are choosing SharePoint over File Servers to store their data because it provides better collaboration and centralized administration. Migrating to SharePoint includes seamless migration of permissions, files/folders, and user mapping along with sites, lists, and libraries. This article includes discussion on why and how to migrate from File Server to SharePoint. It also explains the use of Kernel Migration for SharePoint, a utility that facilitates migration.

The imperative transition from traditional File servers to SharePoint has become essential to keep pace with the latest technological advancements. This shift may appear daunting to numerous organizations and their workforce due to the inherent complexities. However, with a well-devised strategy and the utilization of migration tools, it can be effectively managed.

Here, in this post we’ll learn why it’s important to migrate and how to perform File Server to SharePoint migration.

Reasons to migrate from File Server to SharePoint:

There can be several reasons to move File Server to SharePoint, and the top ones are mentioned below-

  • Anytime & anywhere availability: The most significant reason users switch to SharePoint is that it is available in cloud deployment, allowing users to access their data from any remote location and any device, including mobile phones.
  • The Check-in and Check-out feature: The Check-in and Check-out functionality enables users to monitor document edits and ensures that they receive the most up-to-date version of the document once all edits have been completed.
  • Quick search option: In contrast to conventional servers, locating a file is lightning-fast. Simply input the file name, and within a matter of seconds, a comprehensive list of all relevant documents will swiftly materialize.
  • Stores previous versions: Once a user has changed a document, the latest version is available to the rest. But it stores the older version of the file before the modifications.
  • Centralized storage: Instead of saving documents in distinct locations, SharePoint stores all data at a centralized location, making it easier for everyone to access and manage it.
  • Integration with Microsoft services: SharePoint seamlessly integrates with various Microsoft tools, such as Microsoft 365, OneDrive, MS Office, and Teams. Users of SharePoint can also leverage all the advantages offered by SharePoint Online as a standalone service.
Migration of Security Permissions and Remapping of Users

SharePoint, developed by Microsoft, serves as a collaborative workspace and document sharing platform. It facilitates streamlined collaboration and sharing by enabling the collective storage of files and folders, which can be accessed and utilized by multiple users. SharePoint offers various productivity-enhancing features, including check-in/check-out functionality, publishing capabilities, version control, and single-instance storage, all contributing to improved work efficiency for users.

Is SharePoint a surrogate to File Servers?

SharePoint is becoming a preferred choice for most organizations. However, it’s important to understand that both the platforms are diverse from each other. When you move your file server data to SharePoint, your team gets easy access to documents, files, and folders, better communication, collaboration, and productivity. Remember that SharePoint is not a surrogate for less expensive, more secure, and reliable file servers. But it works in both environments; on-premises and online. You can migrate the file server to SharePoint Online for cloud-based work, keep data within your organization, and migrate the file server to SharePoint on-premises.

SharePoint support for security permissions

Users and user groups in SharePoint can receive different permissions such as Full Control, Design, Contribute, Read, and Limited Access. These permissions determine the actions they can take on different SharePoint items. To facilitate this process, advanced migration tools like SharePoint Migrator can transfer security permissions from File Servers to SharePoint. Additionally, this tool streamlines the mapping of Active Directory (AD) user accounts to their corresponding SharePoint user accounts for efficient management.

Kernel Migration for SharePoint – Migrate File Server to SharePoint Efficiently

It is an advanced SharePoint Migration software that migrates Files/Folders from your File Servers to OneDrive for Business and SharePoint (On-premises and online). Additionally, it helps you move Exchange/Office 365 Public Folders to SharePoint. This sophisticated tool has many advanced features that facilitate requirement-based migration of Files/Folders. Here we focus on its features for permission migration.

How to configure Permission Settings in Kernel Migration for SharePoint?

Before initiating the migration process from the file server to SharePoint, you need to set up permission settings, which you can also modify during the migration process. This functionality grants you precise control over the data as it transitions to the new platform.
To configure permission settings, follow these steps:
Begin by opening the tool, navigating to the Tools menu, and selecting Settings.
Then, proceed to the Upload Settings (File System) tab and access the Permission Settings section, where you can make the desired configurations.
configure permission settings

How to upload Files/Folders and Permissions to SharePoint?

The migration of user permissions to SharePoint holds significant importance during the transition of the file server to SharePoint. This crucial step ensures a seamless user experience within the SharePoint platform. It simplifies the process of migrating files and folders to SharePoint, facilitating a smooth transition. Following a preliminary analysis, the data from File Servers can be effortlessly uploaded to SharePoint. To gain a comprehensive understanding, let’s delve into a step-by-step guide on migrating a file server to SharePoint Online.

  1. Open our migration tool on your computer and then Click File System > File System to SharePoint Migration.File System to SharePoint Migration
  2. Go to Add dropdown and use it to add files, folders, remote files, or remote folders.
    Add Remote Folder option
  3. The added content gets listed as shown.
    added content
    Note: To view the permissions on a particular item or folder, select it and click the Groups/Users Permissions button.
    click the Groups/users Permissions
  4. Enter the destination details on the Select Destination page and then click on the Next button.
    Enter the destination details
  5. The software automatically maps the content attributes (of the source and destination) and displays them. You can edit the values by clicking on the Edit button, if modifications are required or the mapping is incomplete. Click on the Next button to proceed.
    maps the content attributes
  6. Choose the necessary migration preferences on the Select Copy Option page, which initially presents the user-configured Upload Settings (File System) as the default. By thoughtfully making selections, the user can refine the content to includ in the upload process.
  7. To transfer permissions linked to Files/Folders, select Migration Permissions. This activates the Remap Users option, which permits user mapping. To perform the mapping, select Remap User/Groups and then click on the Add New Mapping button

    (Alternatively, you can import a mapping list from a CSV file by clicking the Add Using CSV button).
    Add Using CSV button
    Note: Permissions can only be migrated if the user exists in the Active Directory of SharePoint. Otherwise, user remapping will be necessary. When migrating from a file server to SharePoint Online, maintaining permissions is essential for ensuring access to older data in the new account.

  8. Add a Source User Name and Destination User Name.
    Add source user name and destination user name
  9. Now the mapping details are displayed, and you can map the accounts before the file server to SharePoint migration.
    mapping details
    displayed
  10. If you are migrating from a remote file system, provide login credentials.
  11. To instantly upload the Files/Folders, select Execute Immediate (you can Schedule the upload too).
    provide login credentials
  12. Now the software provides the summary of the migration job. Read the summary deeply before executing the file server to SharePoint migration. Select Back to change the settings (if needed), or click on the Next button to proceed.
    summary of the migration job
  13. Once the migration process is completed, the software displays a Completion Summary. Select Finish once done.
    software displays a confirmation

The seamless transfer of security permissions alongside Files and Folders during migration results in the eradication of post-migration disorder. This allows end users to access and work with Files and Folders smoothly, minimizing disruptions. Consequently, administrators will experience a significant reduction in their workload. File Server to SharePoint facilitates the remapping of Active Directory (AD) users to SharePoint users and streamlines the migration of permissions.

Conclusion

A user seeks to enhance their document processing capabilities by migrating their file server to SharePoint. The article explains the use of Kernel Migration for SharePoint to migrate the desired data from File Server to SharePoint. The tool ensures the seamless transfer of data along with its associated permissions, rights, limitations, and properties. Prior to migration, mapping and permission selection are configured, and the chosen data is subsequently transferred.

Kernel Migration for SharePoint