# Migrating

{% hint style="info" %}
Tape Migration requires a Pro License, and is currently only available on Windows.
{% endhint %}

Tape Migration allows you to safely migrate data from older-generation LTO tapes to newer-generation LTO tapes with a larger capacity.

## Setting up a Migrate Transfer

1. Mount both the source and destination tapes.
2. Choose the source tape. By default, the whole tape will be migrated. To transfer specific items, click Select Files from the hamburger menu.
3. Choose the destination tape. By default, Canister will migrate to the top level of the destination. You can select or create a new Destination Folder if required, using the hamburger menu.
4. Click `Migrate` to start the transfer.

<figure><img src="/files/d3kYFZCLIhHTg6Vp9tbw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Read-ahead Cache

By default, Canister will use the boot drive as read-ahead cache. This prevents the slower source LTO drive from stalling the faster destination LTO drive, also known as Shoe-shining. For this reason, we strongly recommend using a solid-state boot drive.

Ideally, your boot drive will have more free space than the largest file on your source tape. Files that are too large for the read-ahead cache will be skipped and clearly mentioned in the Transfer Log. This situation can be easily resolved by connecting a larger cache device, then rerunning the Migrate job which leans on Canister's Duplicate Detection engine to skip items already on the destination.

## Cache Location

Canister's read-ahead cache Location can be specified using the Windows Registry switch below. For the best results, we recommend using a good-quality SSD connected over USB-C or Thunderbolt.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}
To change the Migrate Cache location:<br>

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Locate Canister here: `Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Canister`
3. Right-click to create a new String Value called `AlternativeBufferCacheLocation`
4. Define the full path, including the drive letter.
5. Restart Canister.
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}


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