Migrate File Server to SharePoint Online / Office 365

This article will cover step by step instructions on how to transfer your files and storage from an on-premise Windows File Server to SharePoint Online. If you are looking to move multiple users or an organization we recommend using a CSV import through Movebot's Organization Migration Wizard

Step 1: Configure your File Server as an SFTP server

1. Download the latest OpenSSH for Windows binaries 
   (package OpenSSH-Win64.zip or OpenSSH-Win32.zip) 
   
   If you prefer a GUI based client, we recommend Bitvise SSH Server
   
   
2. As the Administrator, extract the package to C:\Program Files\OpenSSH
   
   
3. As the Administrator, install sshd and ssh-agent services:

   powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File install-sshd.ps1
   
   

4. Allow incoming connections to SSH server in Windows Firewall:
   • Either run the following PowerShell command (Windows 8 and 2012 or newer only), as the Administrator:
     

     New-NetFirewallRule -Name sshd -DisplayName 'OpenSSH SSH Server' -Enabled True -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -Action Allow -LocalPort 22

   • or go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall1 > Advanced Settings > Inbound Rules and add a new rule for port 22.
     
     
5. Start the service and/or configure automatic start:
   • Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools and open Services. Locate OpenSSH SSH Server service.
   • If you want the server to start automatically when your machine is started: Go to Action > Properties. In the Properties dialog, change Startup type to Automatic and confirm.
   • Start the OpenSSH SSH Server service by clicking the Start the service.
     
     
6. Enable your Firewall to allow connections to your Windows File Server on port 22. Contact us if you would like dedicated IP addresses to allow. 
   
   
7. Configure your edge router to Port Forward to your Windows File Server on port 22.

For a full guide see here.

Step 2: Create a Movebot account

• Navigate here to create a Movebot account (opens a new tab). On successful account creation you will be taken through to your migration dashboard.

Step 3: Create a Migration

• On the top right click on  to create your migration.

Step 4: Select SFTP as your source

• Select your Source cloud provider from the dropdown provided, in this case, it would be SFTP

You will need to input the following information:

Step 5: Select SharePoint as your destination

• Select SharePoint from the list.
• Enter your Full Sharepoint URL (optional - otherwise you can choose sites later).
  

  For the link Movebot would expect to see either of the following combinations (where XXX is unique to your SharePoint):

  # https://XXX.sharepoint.com/Docs%202
  # https://XXX.sharepoint.com/sites/XXX/Docs
  # https://XXX.sharepoint.com/sites/XXX/Shared%20Documents

• Click Link Storage you should expect a pop-up to log into your SharePoint using your O365 admin user and allow Movebot (Couchdrop) access
• Once you have linked your storage, click Next Step

Step 6: Select folders/sites to migrate

• Source Folders: Select which folders you wish to migrate across, if nothing is checked, everything will be moved by default
• Destination Folder: Select the destination to move your files to, if left blank it will be moved into your storages top level (root directory), when ready click Next

Step 7: Configure Settings

• Add a name to the migration, then when you are ready, Save and Kickoff
• Note: We recommend no more than two worker nodes when migrating to Dropbox.

Advanced Options - We recommend leaving these as the default

Step 8: Sit back, relax and leave it with us

• As your migration progresses, you can monitor it at the dashboard. Otherwise we will email you once the job has completed.

Click below to go back to Movebot and Get Started

Should you have any issues or questions, please do not hesitate to email support@movebot.io