Technimove’s Active Directory Audit and Migration Preparation for Vision Direct
Background
Vision Direct, a key player in the eye care industry, was preparing for a critical migration of their Active Directory (AD) infrastructure. To ensure a smooth migration, they required a comprehensive audit of their existing AD environment to identify any risks or gaps in their current setup.
Vision Direct engaged a channel partner, who subsequently partnered with Technimove, to conduct this audit and provide migration preparation support. Technimove’s specialised expertise in IT migrations and domain consolidations positioned them as an ideal partner to guide Vision Direct through this complex project.
Why Technimove Was Chosen
Project Requirements
The project aimed to thoroughly assess Vision Direct’s current Active Directory environment, identify any technical inconsistencies, and validate configurations to prepare for a seamless domain migration. Specific requirements included:
Active Directory Audit: Conduct a comprehensive automated audit of the existing AD environment using ADAudit Plus, which would be temporarily installed for this project.
Validation of Migration Configurations: Confirm the configuration and setup of the AD Migration Tool (ADMT) and ensure all required objects (e.g., users, computers, and servers) from the source domain could be migrated effectively.
Design Verification: Evaluate the new AD’s structure and performance metrics to confirm that it adheres to best practices and is ready for the migration.
Challenges
Vision Direct’s domain migration had a number of dependencies and intricacies that required precise planning and an in-depth understanding of the existing IT environment. Key challenges included:
Complex Interdependencies: The project involved multiple interlinked aspects, including network setup, domain trust configurations, and adherence to new AD design specifications.
Strict Documentation and Compliance Requirements: Comprehensive documentation of the “AS IS” environment was required to enable thorough planning for the next migration phase.
Remote Access and Dependency Management: Successful execution depended on ensuring remote access and system availability without interruptions, while adhering to Vision Direct’s security and change control protocols.
Solution
Technimove proposed a structured and detailed approach to perform a systematic audit and assessment of Vision Direct’s Active Directory environment. The process was broken down into four major components:
- Automated Audit Using ADAudit Plus
Technimove recommended using ADAudit Plus, a robust tool for real-time auditing of AD environments, to:
- Identify potential configuration errors and security gaps in the current AD.
- Gather a detailed record of Active Directory metrics, such as CPU, RAM, and HDD usage across domain controllers, as well as network and replication performance.
- Generate an audit report that would highlight key findings, allowing Vision Direct to make informed decisions about adjustments prior to migration.
- Verification of ADMT Configuration for Migration Readiness
To ensure that Vision Direct’s migration process would proceed smoothly, Technimove conducted an assessment and configuration validation for the Active Directory Migration Tool (ADMT):
Trust Configuration: Verified the forest trust between the existing domain (GETLENSES.LOCAL) and the new domain (VISIONDIRECT.GROUP).
Object Migration Testing: Assessed the configuration to ensure users, computers, and servers could be successfully moved from the old domain to the new domain.
Pathway Testing: Ran preliminary migration tests on a subset of objects to confirm seamless migration paths, reducing risks during the final migration process.
- Design Adherence Verification of the New AD
Technimove carried out a comprehensive review of the new AD design to ensure it adhered to best practices and Vision Direct’s requirements. Key areas included:
Infrastructure Assessment: Verified the number of domain controllers (DCs) and their designated roles, ensuring they were configured for optimal load distribution.
AD Health Metrics: Evaluated performance indicators, including CPU, RAM, and disk usage, to identify potential bottlenecks.
Naming and Time Service Consistency: Ensured naming conventions and time service configurations followed industry standards.
DNS and Security Policies: Checked DNS configurations, Organisational Unit (OU) structures, security groups, and group policies to verify alignment with Vision Direct’s operational requirements.
Recovery Capabilities: Confirmed that recovery mechanisms, such as the AD recycle bin and backups, were configured to safeguard data integrity.
- Documentation and Communication
To maintain alignment with Vision Direct throughout the project, Technimove established a transparent and collaborative communication framework:
Tracking Spreadsheet: A detailed tracking sheet was used to monitor each step of the audit, ensuring Vision Direct had real-time visibility into project progress.
Regular Updates and In-Touch Calls: Technimove maintained frequent communication with Vision Direct’s IT team through scheduled calls and status updates, enabling swift issue resolution and decision-making.
Audit Discovery Presentation: Upon completion, Technimove delivered a comprehensive presentation of the audit results, detailing findings, proposed improvements, and necessary adjustments for the migration.
Scope of Work
In Scope
- Complete audit of the existing AD environment and new AD design.
- Creation of tracking and reporting documents to provide transparency and accountability.
- Presentation and discussion of audit findings, with detailed recommendations for Vision Direct’s migration preparations.
Out of Scope
- Any backup or configuration changes to infrastructure, such as switches, routers, storage devices, and wireless controllers.
- Direct configuration or on-site support not explicitly outlined in the initial scope of work.
- Any activities beyond the predefined audit and documentation tasks.
- Project Dependencies The success of the audit required specific prerequisites from Vision Direct and the channel partner, including:
Network Readiness: Ensuring the network infrastructure and cabling met the standards necessary for smooth operations.
Remote Access Provisioning: Vision Direct provided administrative access and remote connectivity for Technimove’s team, ensuring uninterrupted work.
Change Control Stability: Vision Direct ensured that no change control procedures would affect access or system configurations during the audit, allowing for consistent assessment results.
Outcomes
Technimove’s thorough audit of Vision Direct’s Active Directory provided critical insights into their existing environment and ensured preparedness for the domain migration. Key outcomes included:
Enhanced Migration Planning: The audit validated the ADMT configurations and forest trust setup, confirming that user, computer, and server migrations could proceed seamlessly. Vision Direct gained confidence in the readiness of their migration environment, reducing risks of post-migration disruptions.
Clear Documentation and Best Practice Alignment: Technimove delivered comprehensive documentation and real-time tracking, giving Vision Direct visibility into their current environment and actionable insights to improve AD configuration and security settings.
Strategic Communication and Coordination: Regular updates and a collaborative approach enabled Vision Direct to make proactive adjustments, positioning them for a smoother migration phase.
Infrastructure Health Check and Performance Metrics: Technimove’s analysis of hardware and AD performance metrics, such as CPU, RAM, and HDD utilisation, allowed Vision Direct to address potential issues in advance, ensuring stability during the migration.
Conclusion
Through their expert audit and careful project management, Technimove empowered Vision Direct to approach their Active Directory migration with confidence.
The collaboration delivered a clear roadmap for the upcoming migration, fortified by documentation, insights, and a validation of best practices that assured Vision Direct’s IT team of the system’s readiness.
Vision Direct now stands well-prepared to proceed with their migration, secure in the knowledge that their AD infrastructure is optimised, compliant, and aligned with their operational requirements.