In my preceding blogpost I had covered Azure Import/Export service concept and requirements. In this post let me explain how to do it step by step.

First look at the Azure import service.

1. Look at the data that you need to migrate, and note down the capacity, number of drives required, data type and destination blob location in Microsoft Azure.
2. Procure and prepare the drives using WAImportExport tool and bitlocker. WAImportExport tool to copy the data and bitlocker to encrypt the data.
3. Create an import job through Azure portal and upload the journal file created be WAImportExport tool. Journal file is created for each drive that contains drive ID and bitlocker key.
   1. Login to the Azure portal and search for import/export service.

      

   2. In the Import/Export jobs panel, select “create import/export job” to initiate a new job request.

      

   3. Fill the basic configuration details as needed.

      

   4. In job details panel, upload the journal files, select destination storage account.

      

   5. Drop-off location will be selected by default based on your storage account location and click on OK.

      

   6. Fill the return shipping information and verify the summary to create a job successfully.
4. Ship the drives to the shipping address as described in summary page.

   

5. Update the delivery tracking number in your import job details and submit the import job.
6. Once drives received, will be processed in the Azure datacenter.
7. Drives will be returned to you once import completed based on the return address provided.

Here is the graphical representation of the above process.

Courtesy: Microsoft

Now, look at the Azure export service.

1. Look at the data that you need to export from Azure storage account, and note down the capacity, number of drives required, data type and destination location.
2. Procure the number of drives that you need to export data from storage account.
3. Create an export job through Azure portal.
   1. Login to the Azure portal and search for import/export service.

      

   2. In the Import/Export jobs panel, select “create import/export job” to initiate a new job request.

      

   3. Fill the basic configuration details as needed.

      

   4. In job details panel, select the source storage account.

      

   5. Drop-off location will be selected by default based on your storage account location, select required export option and click on OK.

      

   6. Fill the return shipping information.

      

   7. verify the summary and click on OK to create the job successfully.

      

4. Ship the drives to the shipping address as described in summary page.

   

5. Update the delivery tracking number in your import job details and submit the export job.
6. Once drives received, will be processed in the Azure datacenter.
7. The drives will be encrypted by bitlocker and keys will be provided to you via Azure portal.
8. Drives will be returned to you once import completed based on the return address provided.

Here is the graphical representation of the above process.

Courtesy: Microsoft

I hope, this blogpost helped you with Azure Import//Export job. Please share your feedback in comments section.