Upgrading to 3.6 from 3.0.11 AND moving servers

[JustMe]

Hi

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I couldn't find anything looking through this section.

We're currently running 3.0.11 and want to upgrade to 3.6. At the same time we will be moving hosts as our current one isn't great - so it makes sense to do both at the same time. It's obviouslygoing to be easier to install 3.6 on the new server and get it all up and running and tested there (whilst still having the 3.0.11 forum live on the old server) then once everything is okay, close the forum and transfer the up to date database onto the new server - as well as point the domain name to the new server.

Questions I have are....

Firstly, I assume there is no license problem with installing 3.6 on another server while 3.0.11 is still running on the original server as the live forum. The 3.6 would be installed just to let us get it all set up and testing it all out etc. - it won't be accessible to members as they won't have the IP address.

Secondly, what exactly is the best way to move from 3.0.11 on the current server to 3.6 on the new server? Has somebody done a step by step? I'm clued up when it comes to computers etc, I just haven't done a huge amount of forum/PHP/SQL related stuff so need a bit of a 'novices' guide.

Are there any things I should watch out for, make sure I do/don't do etc.

Thanks

Duncan

[Steve Machol]

1. Yes, you can have a test forum.

2. My recommendation is to first move the 3.0.11 forum and make sure it's working on the new server. Then I would upgrade.

[globalbuzz]

Howdy, how would you be able to determine the 'source' that will be needed for ImpExConfig.php, please?

I asked a question today regarding the same move

I set-up the 3.6.2 already

will simply delete all that and start over as I had attached vBdrupal as well

[Steve Machol]

The source info is the db innfo of the BB system and data you are importing.

[globalbuzz]

thanks Steve

sorry for being naive, I have that source as example

domain_com_-_forums2

where it asks for the source however this is on a different server

I am trying the old way at present by trying to upload the data via SSH

Cheers

G

[Steve Machol]

I doubt you will be abl;e to import data that is on a different server. To do this that server needs to be configured to allow remote MySQL connections from your server. If that is the case, then you need to set this line to that server:

$impexconfig['source']['server'] = 'localhost';

If you cannot make remote connections, then you'll need to move that database to your vB server.

[JustMe]

1. Yes, you can have a test forum.

I thought so - but thanks for confirming.

2. My recommendation is to first move the 3.0.11 forum and make sure it's working on the new server. Then I would upgrade.

Ah right, I'd kinda assumed that installing the 3.6 first on the new server, then importing the 3.0.11 database would have been a 'cleaner' install - but I see the logic behind your suggestion.

So, is there a step by step procedure on how to move the 3.0.11 to the new server - to initially test it works, and then how to then upgrade it to 3.6?

Sorry again if this has been asked umpteen times.

D

[Steve Machol]

Instructions for moving servers are in the online manual here:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/moving_servers

Note: The only reliable method of backing up and restoring a database is with shell access via telnet or ssh. This is because backing up with a PHP script like that in the Admin CP or phpMyAdmin can result in PHP timeouts errors and an incomplete backup file. Please see the instructions here:

Backup:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/maintenance_ssh_backup

Restore:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/maintenance_ssh_restore

P.S. Some people have reported success with these scripts:

MySQLDumper:

http://www.mysqldumper.de/en/index.php

MySQLHotxcopy:

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134821&highlight=mysqlhotcopy

Bigdump:

http://www.ozerov.de/bigdump.php

[JustMe]

Ah, thank you Steve.

Sorry, I should have looked in the manual first!! Hadn't crossed my mind it'd have all the instructions for moving servers. I'll have a good look through and give it a whirl.

Thanks again

D

[globalbuzz]

vectra, I would recommend that when you set-up the 3.0.11 forums, that if you have any hacks/mods that you attach them first before adding the database

Cheers

G

[JustMe]

Thanks! What exactly is the definition of a hack/mod? The most I've done is alter a template so that post counts don't show under a person's avatar or in their profile. Is that classed as a hack/mod?

[globalbuzz]

well that one isn't a major hassle

the cmps or gallery for example can be hassle

good luck