vb2.3 to vb3 user table migration

[Bobbo]

Hi guys. I'm looking for advice/direction.

My current site is running VB 2.3.0. I've been using it for quite awhile and have added may mods and customizations to it.

In planning to go to VB3, I've decided to install it into a different directory rather than going the upgrade route. My thought on this was to minimize the downtime for my users. I've done all my customization on the new VB3 version and am considering what is the best method to migrate my user table?

Ideally, I'd like to turn over "the switch" and when my users come to the site one day, their existing VB2.3 cookie would automatically work with the new VB3 site.

I've read a little about the MD5 password/SALT stuff. I'm not sure where to begin though. Are users forced to re-login after you've upgraded to VB3 or does the upgrade process automatically re-create the users table?

Would it make sense to make a copy of the VB 2.3 site database and files, perform the VB3 upgrade on it, and then perhaps copy the updated users table into the predeveloped VB3 site?

Any guidance/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Regards.