Dry Runs

A Dry Run is a critical step in planning a migration. Rather than immediately transferring data, it functions as a discovery scan that evaluates both the source and the destination to determine what will be moved. This scan provides visibility into file and folder counts, the total size of the data, and any potential issues such as excluded patterns or unsupported filenames. Because no data is actually moved during this stage, it is a safe way to preview the migration and confirm that the setup is correct.

By treating the Dry Run as an early diagnostic, you can validate filters, identify errors before they cause delays, and forecast the resources required for the live migration. Another important benefit is that the Dry Run reports the overall size of the data to be migrated, which helps you choose the appropriate usage pack. By knowing the actual data size in advance, you can ensure that the selected pack is sufficient and avoid running into capacity limits mid-migration.

This process minimizes the chance of surprises and allows adjustments to be made before committing to the full migration. With filters validated, data size measured, usage packs aligned, and potential issues resolved, the live migration can proceed smoothly, predictably, and with confidence.