Safari Micro Migrates 3 TB of Shared File Data to SharePoint Online and Decommissions Legacy Server Infrastructure

Challenge

A regional business relied on a legacy Windows Server 2008 R2 domain controller that hosted approximately 3 TB of shared file data and supported key infrastructure services including FSMO roles, printer shares, DHCP, and Group Policy. As the environment continued to evolve, the organization needed a more modern and manageable file collaboration platform while also reducing the operational risk associated with aging server infrastructure. The project required careful planning around file structure, permissions, domain controller services, printer shares, DHCP, and Group Policy references.

Approach

Safari Micro used a structured migration and decommissioning process to reduce disruption and maintain alignment with the organization's access requirements. The engagement began with an inventory and audit of the existing shared folder structure using ShareGate to identify the file share layout, prepare the migration path, and support planning for the SharePoint Online destination. Safari Micro then worked with the organization to identify the security groups that would be used to manage access permissions in SharePoint Online. Once the permission model was defined, Safari Micro configured the SharePoint document library folder structure to align with those groups and migrated the shared file data to SharePoint Online. In parallel, Safari Micro prepared the legacy domain controller for decommissioning by transferring FSMO roles, migrating printer shares and DHCP, updating Group Policies that referenced the old server, demoting the domain controller, and removing it from the domain.

Results

• File share inventory and audit completed using ShareGate
• Security groups identified and aligned to SharePoint Online access permissions
• SharePoint Online document library folder structure configured to match permission model
• Approximately 3 TB of shared file data migrated to SharePoint Online
• FSMO roles transferred to another domain controller
• Printer shares and DHCP migrated to another domain controller
• Group Policy updated to remove references to the legacy server
• Legacy Windows Server 2008 R2 domain controller demoted and removed from domain
• Organization transitioned from legacy file share model to SharePoint Online-based document environment
• Dependency on aging Windows Server infrastructure reduced