Summary
Citrix is a multinational software company that provides server, application and desktop virtualisation, networking, software as a service, and cloud computing technologies.
Citrix were required to consolidate the footprint in their Miami, Florida Equinix DC space, migrating their equipment from the 2nd floor to a new cage on the 5th floor. As a trusted partner, with a relationship built upon successfully delivered critical migrations, including previous projects in London and Amsterdam, Citrix engaged with Technimove to lead the project delivery.
The Solution
To ensure a smooth and successful Migration, Technimove planned to undertake the following work packages:
- Project Management
- Physical Audit
- Document Consultation and Verification
- Network Patching and Pre-Cable
- Migration Planning
- Internal Physical Migration of equipment from 140x devices
Pre-Migration
Technimove provided a PRINCE2 accredited Project Manager to oversee the delivery of the statement of works. The PM was engaged throughout the project, to ensure the highest standards of service delivery. The project schedule and migration timescales were identified, early in the initiation process, as critical risks and the Technimove Project Manager worked closely with the Citrix team, to explore appropriate mitigation options. Daily communication and collaboration between Technimove and Citrix was key to delivering the project successfully, within the timescale required.
Technimove completed a Physical Audit, providing Citrix with an existing snapshot of their current environment. This was a key dependency for Citrix, as they required the infrastructure detail at port level, in order to create a patching schedule for the Migration, in addition to a full verification of the equipment in scope. This was a vital step in the project process. Technimove and Citrix worked together to transpose the Audit documentation into a finalised patching schedule.
Ahead of the Migration, the Technimove team completed a Pre-Cable, installing copper and fibre cables between devices, switches and patch panels, across several cabinets where required. All cables were labelled top and tail and managed to the correct U position in line with the destination rack plans and patching schedule. This was a critical element of the pre-move preparation and key to minimising precious downtime on the Migration. Technimove also re-cabled Citrix’s existing network hardware, utilising appropriate cable lengths and best practice cabling methods.
The Technimove and Citrix teams collaborated daily to discuss and agree the Migration approach, which formed the basis of a comprehensive run book. This detailed planning stage was a critical step for successfully completing the Migration, within the aggressive timescales required. It was agreed that the Migration would take place over a weekend, across 5 strategic shutdown batches, utilising the appropriate Technimove resource levels throughout.
Migration
On the day of the Migration, the Technimove team leader liaised with Citrix to confirm successful shutdown completion, ahead of commencing work on each batch. Once confirmed, the migration team commenced the final checks, labelling and de-commission of all devices in scope, in line with the agreed equipment list.
The equipment was de-racked before being individually wrapped in anti-static bubble wrap and placed into purpose- built, foam-lined, server flight cases. All rail kits associated with the Migration were labelled in line with the destination rack plans before being de-mounted and placed into dedicated rail kit flight cases.
Upon completion of the De-Commission and De-Rack, Technimove’s team leader performed a review with the Citrix team to perform final checks that all devices in scope had been successfully removed from the 2nd floor.
In parallel, Technimove resources were assigned to the 5th floor to Re-Rack and Re-Commission the equipment. The team transported the equipment to the new cage and utilised the agreed rack layout and patching schedule documentation, to successfully install all devices.
Post-Migration, Technimove provided Post-Commissioning Support teams to work alongside Citrix during the power up process, in the event of last-minute changes to patching documentation or a requirement to trace, snag and replace cables.
Upon completion, the team leader reported back to Citrix and Technimove’s Project Manager, before providing the final Migration sign off.
Feedback
All equipment was relocated and brought up within the project timeframe, with the exception of 1 device. Delegating this project to Technimove enabled our client’s IT team to focus on their core business duties, which are critical to ensuring the business is operating as normal.
With any project of this size, there will inevitably be multiple changes and some issues experienced as a result. What is critical is the ability to flex and manage the issues as they arise, and be able to continue the program as scheduled. With Technimove’s unrivalled global experience, we were able to attain this and deliver a successful project to valued client.