Update Question

[TheLastSuperman]

Allright ladies & gents, a quick one for ya'

I have a client, currently running vB 3.0.7 but had someone update them to 3.8.1 not long ago however it was never finished, so the current updated DB has old info, old post, the old members, nothing new like the live 3.0 site has now. He has clearly stated he wants to move to a new host period .

Now, as far as I know the best method is the same method I have used countless times which is:

• Close the 3.0 boards, make a database backup.
• Upload ALL the current files for the 3.0 forums onto the new host.
• The host has a memory limit so they said simply upload the backup and they would take care of it (great less work for me ).
• Then upgrade all the way to 3.8.3, then do any changes or removals of what the owner does not want anymore.

Again, as far as I know I can't export the 3.0.7 db and then try to overwrite the unfinished 3.8.1 conversion, the 3.8.1 is up and running but not active or publicly accesed etc. So basically it will laugh at me if I attempt this... I thought to simply rename the folder it was in to vbtest or testvb so he would have a site to test mods or tweaks on as it is allowed as long as the forum is private.

So, have I been doing this the long way each time or what? All I know is from my experience I can't use the new database or site files with old DB info that is not current, so basically I can't import 3.0.7 into an already updated 3.8.1 (I could but a lot of tinkering w/ the DB) so again, in you opinion do I need to be shown a shorter way? I always work w/ the most current files and DB copy/backup to ensure no loss of data or broken links to folders not present etc.

Thanks for reading and commenting if you do so, I just wanted to make sure this is done in a timely manner and to me it's upload the current file from the FTP to the new site, import the DB and make sure the details match in the config file then update!

S-MAN

Edit: and lol, I might have needed to post this in the General vBulletin discussion... if so please move and I'll find it later admins

--------------- Added [DATE]1248539305[/DATE] at [TIME]1248539305[/TIME] ---------------

So basically I pretty much follow this...

Originally Posted by Floris View Post
If you are moving to a new server you do not have to install vBulletin fresh. This will actually cause issues if you later import the .sql dump.

This is the best way in my eyes to move from server A to B:

* Close the forum on the old host
* Make a shell ssh backup of the database into a .sql file to your hard drive
* Make a ftp backup of the forum files to your hard drive
* Move the database backup and the forum files to the new host
* Create a new empty database on the new host
* Restore the .sql dump through shell ssh into this new database
* Update the config.php file to point to this new database
* Login to the admincp and open the forum again
* Upgrade to a newer vBulletin if you haven't already to ensure security and bug fixes and best support

--------------- Added [DATE]1248542749[/DATE] at [TIME]1248542749[/TIME] ---------------

Or should I simply use the impex... overlooked that... hmm checking into it now

[Dismounted]

Floris nearly has instructions on what I would do. However, instead of uploading the old files, then uploading new files, then upgrading; simply upload the 3.8 files and upgrade.

ImpEx is also another solution. Use this if you don't care about existing IDs and you want a "clean" board. However, it is not a recommended upgrade path.