The Transport Manager is the built-in tool within the Lobster Data Platform for transferring profiles between Lobster environments. It is the only supported method for migrating profiles to the Lobster Cloud.
How it works
The Transport Manager establishes a secure connection between your source system (on-premise or existing cloud) and your target system (new Lobster Cloud environment). Profiles are exported from the source, transferred over the connection, and imported into the target.
Step | Description |
|---|---|
1. Connect | The Transport Manager creates a connection between your two environments. |
2. Export | You export profiles from your source system. |
3. Transfer | The exported profiles are transferred to the target system. |
4. Import | You import the profiles into the new cloud environment. |
Connection options
Method | Details |
|---|---|
Public IP or DNS | Connect via the public IP address or DNS name of the target system. This is the simplest option if both systems are accessible over the internet. |
Connect via a site-to-site VPN tunnel between your on-premise network and the Lobster Cloud. Required if your source system is not publicly accessible. |
Port and network requirements
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
The Transport Manager operates exclusively on Port 8020. This port is fixed and cannot be changed. | |
IP type | The Transport Manager uses private (internal) IP addresses. Your internal IP is listed in the installation protocol. |
Ensure that Port 8020 is open in your local firewall for communication with the Lobster Cloud. |
Parallel operation
The Transport Manager supports parallel operation during migration. This means you can migrate profiles gradually while simultaneously transitioning customers to the new cloud system. You do not need to perform a complete cutover in a single step.
This is particularly useful for large environments with many profiles and trading partners, as it allows a phased rollout with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
Important limitations
Limitation | Details |
|---|---|
Profile-based only | The Transport Manager transfers profiles. It does not transfer database content, file system data, or system configurations. |
No database imports | Direct database imports, dumps, or file system transfers are not supported. |
Version compatibility | The source and target systems must be on compatible software versions (minimum Lobster_data 4.6.16, or identical Lobster Data Platform versions). |
Orchestration (former _pro) customers
If you are migrating Orchestration configurations, the Transport Manager is not the primary tool. Orchestration configurations are transferred using Meta Exchange. Migration of transaction data requires a separate consulting project.
Getting help
If you need assistance using the Transport Manager, Lobster provides documentation and optional training. For hands-on migration support, contact your Lobster Sales representative to discuss available consulting packages.
For technical difficulties with the Transport Manager during migration, submit a support ticket to support@lobster.de.