How to Migrate Data From a UNIX Server to a Windows Server

Sometimes, you need to transfer your UNIX server files to a Window-based server. Read on to learn how to migrate data from a UNIX server to a Windows server.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Windows server
• UNIX server

1. Install "Client for NFS" on your computer. The NFS (Network File System) client allows your Window-based computer to access to files on the UNIX server.

2. Run your UNIX server and log on via root permissions. Once you are logged in, launch the “Man exportfs” command by typing the following: “Exportfs -v full_folder_path.” This command will allow you to export the files you wish to transfer or migrate from your UNIX server to your Windows server.

3. Start your Windows server and log on. After logging on, launch "Windows Explorer" by selecting it from the "Start" menu. Once Windows Explorer is running, you should navigate to "Entire Network," "NFS Network" and finally, the default "LAN."

4. Select the UNIX server that you want to extract the files from. Open the server and look for the files that you want to migrate to the Windows server.

5. Copy the folder in UNIX. Select a folder in the Windows server that you will use as the destination folder.

6. Paste the information from the UNIX folder to the Windows folder. Repeat this as many times as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Clearly label destination folders in your Windows-based server so that you know where the exported data is going.
• Be prepared for this process to take a bit of time as you must shuffle between the UNIX and Windows directories.
• The differences between file systems, characters and configurations in UNIX and Windows may cause Web sites that have been migrated to incorrectly display information.