Why Look for Quest AD Migration Alternative Before AD Migration

AD is not a single service but a combination and hub from which many other programs in Microsoft 365 derive their functionality. Directly jumping on the first migration solution without much result can lead to unintended consequences. One of the most well-known names in this domain is Quest’s Active Directory migrator. However, it has some hidden issues that its users have complained about.  That is why one should consider a Quest migration alternative as everyone from experts to newly appointed IT admins underlines the need for it. So to help out IT admins let’s first start with the discussion on the same.

Problems in Quest AD Migrator Encountered Before Migration

These are some of the Pre-Migration problems users face if they fail to select a Quest migration alternative

Cost is at the forefront of any organization opting for an AD migration. Therefore, if the cost to migrate exceeds the overall benefits from the change the entire migration operation is considered unsuccessful. 

The money that is to be spent on the data transfer is not limited to the price of the tool as admins also have to schedule user training. Many admins may fail to consider the potential business loss due to extended downtime. Moreover, any loss of functionality during critical business hours is equivalent to losing money. 

Minimizing potential downtimes is a strong reason to look for a Quest AD migration alternative. Experienced admins know that downtimes are mostly related to complicated setup procedures. If a tool has no clear-cut instructions then installation itself becomes a project of its own. This further delays the migration and adds to an already lengthy downtime.

Changing the migration platform midway through an ongoing data transfer operation is quite complicated. However, the numerous roadblocks and errors while using Quests AD migrator force many admins to make the difficult decision. That is why experts recommend performing thorough research before selecting a utility that moves their AD data. 

Why Select A Viable Quest AD Migration Alternative

Deal with an old and unfriendly UI: If migration wasn’t enough of a tussle Quest’s tool increases the difficulty further by still operating an interface that is related to Windows XP. Not only do these old graphics feel sluggish many users may be entirely unfamiliar with them. Thus organizations may need to spend more resources on user training 

Migration has Many manual components: If a company is spending money on a professional migration service any manual task is frowned upon. Moreover, in case of Quest’s tool, this is extra work on the customer's end highly unacceptable. Especially, when we consider that its cost of migration per component is highest in the market.

An agent is not ready to start – SCP not found: This type of error is a fairly common occurrence with Quest’s forums being the proof. 

Here users get the following message on the loop:

Waiting for agent settings: Not found: (&(objectClass=serviceConnectionPoint) …..

The agent is not ready to start. Agent going to sleep at 1 minute.

This is because the tool in question requires admins to put all their system accounts in a single root domain. However, this goes against the recommended practices of many organizations. Moreover, performing a permanent change inside the structure of the source domain seems counterintuitive.

Quest’s tool here requires there different entitie s(An ADLDS server, a SQL Server Instance, and the Active Directory (ADDS)) to be installed in separate workstations. Moreover, every single one of them should be synced and work in conjunction with each other to complete the migration.

Password error when synchronizing user objects during AD data shift. Passwords are the main line of security inside an AD. So when passwords get outrightly removed post migration by Quests solution for AD transfer.

Such a complicated setup encourages users to start the migration on theQuests tool without reading the fine print.  That’s why we need a substitute ASAP.

Which is the Best Quest AD Migration Alternative

SysTools AD migration tool is the substitute that you need. It comes with a vast array of features carefully added to resolve the problems found in other tools on the market. It is best known for minimizing downtime with its smart split architecture that works at both the source and target forest separately. 

This tool has a modern UI fit to transfer all Items be it users, computers, printers, etc that are usually found inside the Active Directory. The advanced UI of this tool has the added benefit of trimming down the user training required. So by using this tool, instead of Quest admins get multiple benefits in a single package.

Useful Feature Set of the Utility

Find out why to choose this Quest migration alternative over others 

The tool has provisions to move users, their data, groups, contacts, and entire OUs in one go.

Maintain all pre-associated relations between users and computers across AD domains

Simplified mapping creation with the option to upload prefilled CSV files containing object data.

Migrate multiple AD domains together at once without any changes in properties.

Supports real-time coexistence of both source and target domains while the migration is underway.

Users can choose to maintain previous passwords or assign new ones directly via the tool.

Follow the instructions in the next section to shift your data between Active Directory forests. 

Steps to Use the Best Alternative to Quest AD Migrator

Step 1. Launch the Tool and Type the default Credentials (Administrator) to log in.

Step 2. Click Register Domain Controller type Domain Friendly Name & IP Address press the Save & Continue button.

Step 3. Inside the Info section enter Admin User and Admin Password. Hit the Save & Continue button.

Step 4. Then go to the Active Directory section and fetch all source objects.

Step 5. Perform the same steps for the target domain as well.

Step 6. In the Migration section, hit “create migration scenario,” type the migration name, and select the endpoints from the dropdown list.

Step 7. In the “Task” section, click on the “Create Task” option. Select the options you want at the destination domain.

Step 8. Once object selection is complete press the create option and proceed with the Active Directory cross-forest migration.

Step 9. When objects appear on the preview dashboard, map them and click on start task, on the window that pops up hit Start.

Conclusion 

Here we gave a thorough reasoning to look for a Quest AD migration alternative for all admins who are in doubt. To make the claims against the tool justifiable we highlighted the real-life problems that organizations faced in their experience with the utility. Considering its drawbacks in setup, usage, and post migration procedures there is little to no value in investing in such a tool.  Moreover, we also introduced the most reliable substitute that outperforms Quest’s product in every important metric. Any admin whose organization needs to transfer their Windows Active Directory can go for the better alternative instead.