What is AWS Transform MGN?
AWS Transform MGN automates the lift-and-shift migration of physical, virtual, and cloud servers to the AWS Cloud. The service continuously replicates servers at the block level, allowing you to perform a cutover at any time without rewriting or modifying applications.
The service was renamed in 2026 from “AWS Application Migration Service (MGN)” to “AWS Transform MGN” to reflect its role as the proven replication engine within AWS Transform, AWS’s agentic migration and modernization service. Functionality, APIs, and the underlying replication technology remain unchanged. Customers can continue to use MGN directly through its own console for manual control over replication and cutover, or alternatively use the agentic workflow of AWS Transform, which automates discovery, wave planning, landing zone setup, and rehosting.
The agent on the source server replicates disk changes to AWS in real time. During the planned cutover, replicated servers are launched as EC2 instances. Actual downtime is typically only a few minutes.
Core Features
- Continuous Replication: Block-level replication of source servers to the AWS Cloud
- Minimal Downtime: Cutover with typically only minutes of interruption
- No Application Changes: Servers are migrated 1:1, including operating system, applications, and data
- Test Launches: Test migration without affecting production operations
- Post-Launch Actions: Automated adjustments after cutover (e.g., IP configuration)
- Agentic Workflow: Optional use through AWS Transform for automated discovery and wave planning
Typical Use Cases
Data Center Migration: Migrate hundreds of servers from your data center to the AWS Cloud. MGN replicates all servers in parallel and enables controlled cutovers in migration waves.
Rehosting as a First Step: Migrate applications unchanged to the cloud first. After migration, you can modernize, refactor, or switch to cloud-native services at your own pace.
Disaster Recovery: Use continuous replication as a disaster recovery solution. In case of a source environment failure, replicated servers can be launched in AWS within minutes.
Benefits
- 90 days of free replication per server
- Minimal downtime through continuous replication
- No changes to applications required
- Scalable for migrations from single servers to thousands
- Choice between the classic console or the agentic AWS Transform workflow
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS Reseller, innFactory supports you with AWS Transform MGN: planning migration waves, executing the technical migration, and post-migration optimization of your workloads.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AWS Transform MGN?
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service, or MGN) is AWS's core service for lift-and-shift migrations. It continuously replicates servers to the AWS Cloud and enables a quick cutover with minimal downtime, without requiring application changes.
Why was the service renamed to AWS Transform MGN?
AWS renamed the service in 2026 to highlight its role as the replication engine within AWS Transform, AWS's agentic migration and modernization service. Functionality, APIs, and replication logic remain unchanged; MGN can still be used standalone through its classic console, or alternatively through the agentic workflow of AWS Transform.
How does the migration work technically?
A lightweight agent on the source server continuously replicates disks to the AWS Cloud (block-level replication). During cutover, EC2 instances are launched from the replicated data. Downtime is limited to the time for the final sync and DNS switch.
Is the service free?
Replication is free for the first 90 days per server. After that, charges apply for the replication infrastructure. You also pay for EC2 instances and EBS volumes used during replication, test launches, and after cutover.
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