Introduction

Facing high licensing costs for Elasticsearch? Globally, major organizations such as Uber and Slack are transitioning to OpenSearch, an open source alternative to Elasticsearch. Now you can do the same, with hands-on help from NetApp Instaclustr, the go-to experts for seamless Elasticsearch to OpenSearch migration.

OpenSearch is an open source, distributed search and analytics engine that is transforming the way businesses handle their data. Our journey with OpenSearch began at its inception in 2021, and we have been active contributors and members of the OpenSearch community ever since. With our deep expertise and extensive experience, we have successfully managed numerous migrations from Elasticsearch to OpenSearch, helping our customers unlock the full potential of their data infrastructure.

Mastering Elasticsearch to OpenSearch migrations

Migrating from Elasticsearch to OpenSearch can be a challenging process, but with NetApp Instaclustr’s expertise, we’ll help you navigate the challenges and complexity. Our team has conducted numerous migrations, making us intimately familiar with the intricacies and best practices involved. We understand the challenges and nuances of the migration process, and we are equipped to handle them efficiently, minimizing downtime and ensuring data integrity.

Why choose OpenSearch over proprietary technologies?

OpenSearch offers several compelling advantages over proprietary technologies like Elasticsearch, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to avoid vendor lock-in and restrictive licenses. Here are some key reasons why customers might want to migrate to OpenSearch:

  1. Open source freedom: OpenSearch is fully open source under the Apache 2.0 License, providing transparency and flexibility without the constraints of proprietary software.
  2. Community-driven innovation: As an open source project and part of the Linux Foundation, OpenSearch benefits from the collaborative efforts of a vibrant community, driving continuous innovation and improvements.
  3. Cost-effective: Avoiding vendor lock-in means you can choose the best hosting and support options for your needs, potentially reducing costs.
  4. Customizability: OpenSearch’s modular architecture allows for extensive customization, enabling businesses to tailor their search and analytics solutions to their specific requirements.

Migration methods: Pros and cons

When it comes to migrating from Elasticsearch to OpenSearch, there are several methods available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a summary of the primary migration methods and their benefits and drawbacks:

Method

Description

Main pro

Main con

Reindex from existing cluster

Use Elasticsearch’s reindex API to directly index documents from the source cluster to the destination cluster

Broad version compatibility

Requires direct network connectivity and requires downtime

Snapshot/restore

Create snapshots of indices and restore them to the destination cluster

Includes cluster state

Requires downtime

Add/remove nodes (over-the-wire)

Directly join new nodes to the existing cluster and then stop the original nodes

No downtime

Limited version compatibility

Aging over (dual write)

Configure the application to write to both source and destination clusters simultaneously (typically for data with a shorter lifespan)

No downtime

Only works if application is capable of dual writing

Indexing from source of truth

Index documents into the destination cluster from the primary source of truth (e.g., an SQL database)

Low effort required

Requires a source of truth cluster to index from, usually requires downtime

OpenSearch Migration Assistant

Works by capturing live traffic from your existing Elasticsearch or OpenSearch cluster and replaying it in a new OpenSearch environment.

No downtime and wide range of migration paths supported

Doesn’t yet fully support all OpenSearch features (such as ISM) but broader feature support is expected soon

In this table, “requires downtime” means that we must stop the application from writing during the migration process if we want to avoid data loss or inconsistency.

Let NetApp Instaclustr help you migrate

Performing an Elasticsearch to OpenSearch migration can be a daunting prospect— especially if your cluster is business critical. Luckily, Instaclustr are the Elasticsearch to OpenSearch migration experts. We will work with you to understand your bespoke needs and devise a migration plan to ensure minimum impact on your business. We will also help during the migration process to ensure you don’t have any issues when cutting over to your new OpenSearch cluster.

Summary

Migrating from Elasticsearch to OpenSearch with NetApp Instaclustr offers a pathway to greater flexibility, cost savings, and innovation. As experts in both OpenSearch and Elasticsearch migrations, we provide the knowledge and experience needed to ensure a smooth transition. OpenSearch’s open source nature and community-driven development make it a superior choice for businesses looking to leverage powerful search and analytics capabilities without the constraints of proprietary software.

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team at [email protected]. Or sign up for a free Instaclustr trial.