Moving Sharepoint from a Test Server to the Real Server???

[xJayboyx]

Hi all, We have been running sharepoint on a test server for a couple months knowing we would have to move it to a different server. What is the easiest way of going about this?? I am struggling a bit with the database transfer as well. Any comments would be appreciated.



Thanks,
Jason

 

[Thomas2000]

Hello,

There are a couple of ways you can do the move. First of all are you running SharePoint Portal Server or Windows SharePoint Services? Have you used the 'real' SQL for the databases or the MSDE?

Regards,
Thomas

 

[Soiboy]

Thanks, called Microsoft.
Just install Sharepoint Portal Server on the new machine, do a SQL database backup on the old machine, then do a SQL database restore from that backup onto the new machine.
BAM!
Everything is on the new machine.

 

[Soiboy]

Sorry, this is if you are using Sharepoint Portal Server and SQL Server as the database.
Make sure both machines are the same versions and patched to the same level on both machines.
Make the database backup on one.
Move the backup file to the new machine.
Then on the new machine use Sharepoint Portal Server Data Backup and Restore from the start menu.
It worked like a charm for me.

Ed

 

[xJayboyx]

Thank you all for your feedback..
We are running just the Sharepoint Services 2.0 with the MSDE. But I will be doing some testing with SQL 2000. So is there a backup and restore utility that I can easily run.. I have been doing some testing with a Virtual Server and can't quite get it figured out..

Thanks Again..
Jason

 

[Soiboy]

Sorry, all I know is for Portal Server running SQL Server as the backend database. If I get time, I will look into your configuration.

Ed

 

[Thomas2000]

Hello,

Not 100% sure if this is applicable when you run MSDE (but it should be). Usually when I have been moving sites and wss around I have done it by backup&restore.

This is how I would do it (there might be better ways to do this but the below is a fairly simple way):

1. Use stsadm tool to backup your WSS sites.
2. On the new server install SQL and WSS create a configuration database for WSS.
3. Create the virtual website(s) on the new server.
4. Create an empty site(s)and create content databases (i.e stop when you are asked to chose a template for the site)
5. Use the stsadm with the restore option and restore the site(s) to your new server.

We are currently in the process of moving some 50 websites into a new WSS environment and we are using the above method and it is working good.

Regards,
Thomas

 

[ChaserNL]

If what Thomas said doesnt work you could first upgrade the msde to SQL and then use stsadm on that.

You can upgrade by using the SQL Server CD (standard or above version) and chose upgrade existing database 2nd option.