Designing Zero-Downtime Migration Frameworks for Mission-Critical Legacy Systems to Microsoft Azure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63282/3050-9246.IJETCSIT-V1I4P109Keywords:
Cloud Migration, Microsoft Azure, Zero-Downtime, Change Data Capture, Mission-Critical Systems, Strangler Fig Pattern, Transactional Integrity, Distributed Systems, High AvailabilityAbstract
The digital transformation of enterprise-scale organizations often hinges on the successful migration of legacy infrastructure to high-availability cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure. For mission-critical systems, defined by their inability to tolerate service interruptions without severe financial or operational consequences, traditional migration methodologies such as the "Big Bang" approach are increasingly insufficient. This white paper delineates a comprehensive architectural framework for zero-downtime migration (ZDM), specifically optimized for the Azure ecosystem. By synthesizing evidence from distributed systems theory, change data capture (CDC) mechanisms, and hybrid-layering strategies, the report explores the orchestration of continuous availability. The proposed framework integrates real-time synchronization, blue-green deployment patterns, and the "Strangler Fig" application modernization model to ensure transactional integrity during transitions. Furthermore, the study addresses the convergence of technical implementation with stringent regulatory mandates, including FDIC and GDPR compliance. Through an analysis of log-based replication and global traffic management via Azure Front Door, the paper provides a roadmap for maintaining operational continuity. The findings emphasize that a successful ZDM strategy requires the decoupling of application logic from the underlying data store, allowing for iterative modernization while upholding the 24/7 demands of contemporary digital services.
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