Delta Pass for Google Sites Migration
Migrate only changed content after the initial migration to SharePoint.
Delta Migration Process
Overview
Delta pass (or incremental migration) allows you to migrate only new and modified content after the initial migration is complete. This is useful for keeping the target site up-to-date while users continue working in the source environment.
Migration Tool Purpose
How Delta Migration Works
The Cloudiway platform tracks migrated items internally by storing item IDs and modification dates. On subsequent migration runs, the system performs these checks:
New Items
If an item ID isn't found in the cache, the item is identified as new and gets migrated to the target site.
Modified Items
If an ID exists in the cache but the source modification date is newer than the stored value, the item is overwritten in the target.
Unchanged Items
Items with matching IDs and modification dates are skipped, saving time and resources.
Cache Persistence
Even if you clean up the target site, the internal cache remains intact for that migration, allowing subsequent delta passes to function correctly.
Key Limitations
⏱️ 90-Day Time Window
Once an initial migration pass is completed, you can run delta passes for up to 90 days. After this period, the migration must be restarted from scratch.
🔐 Limited Permission Updates
During delta passes, only permission changes on sites level are remigrated. Page-level or item-level permission changes may not be captured.
🗑️ Deletions Not Propagated
Deletions on the source tenant are not propagated to the target tenant during delta passes. Items deleted in Google Sites will remain in SharePoint.
Not for Long-Term Sync
Best Practices
Do
- ✓ Plan your migration timeline within 90 days
- ✓ Run delta passes periodically before cutover
- ✓ Schedule final delta pass close to cutover
- ✓ Document what won't be synced during delta
Don't
- ✗ Rely on delta for permanent synchronization
- ✗ Expect deletions to propagate automatically
- ✗ Wait more than 90 days between passes
- ✗ Assume all permission changes will sync
Recommended Workflow
- 1 Complete initial migration during a maintenance window
- 2 Run delta passes weekly or bi-weekly during transition period
- 3 Schedule final delta pass 24-48 hours before cutover
- 4 Manually handle any deletions or permission changes as needed
- 5 Switch users to SharePoint and decommission Google Sites