Move WSS3.0 from one to another server

Move WSS3.0 from one to another server

Configuration:

Source: SQL 2000 Std Server SP4+Win 2003 Server SP+WSS3.0
Destination: SQL 2005 Std Server+Win 2003 Server SP2 +WSS3.0

STEP1: BACKUP:

1. On Source SQL Server: Backup SharePoint Content databases.

• Open SQL Server Enterprise manger
• Right Click a database (For ex: WSS_Content)->All Tasks->;Backup Database->Database Complete->Backup to disk->Add->Filename->Provide a path &; filename->Ok->Ok
• Repeat above procedure for all SharePoint databases (Sharepoint_AdminContent_xxx, Sharepoint_Config) however we will not restore all of them.
• (Do not restore database Sharepoint_AdminContent_xxx, Sharepoint_Config on new SQL Server)

How to find name of Content databases:
Central Admin->Application Management->Content databases->Select web application from Right Hand Side Top drop down list. Database name will be displayed

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2. On SharePoint Server: Take screenshots of all configured setting on Central administration page

• Central Admin->Operations->Global Configuration->Alternate access mappings
• Central Admin->Operations->Outgoing email settings
• Central admin->Application management->Define managed paths
• etc.

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STEP 2: PREPARE DESTINATION SQL SERVER

• We must install either same or later version than source SQL Server
• Open SQL Server Enterprise manger
• Security->Logins->Right Click->New Login
• Add SharePoint Service Account in Domain\user format
• This account must be either Domain admin or Domain user with Local admin rights on SharePoint server.
• Security->Logins->Right Click Service Account->Properties->Server Roles Tab
• Check Security Administrators & Database Creators
• Click Ok

STEP 3: RESTORE CONTENT DATABASE TO DESTINATION SERVER

• Copy backup Content database files to Destination SQL Server
• Open SQL Server Enterprise manger
• Databases->Right Click->All Tasks->Restore database->Restore as Database->Type name of Content Database->From device->Select device->disk->Add->Browse to backup files->Ok->Ok
• Similarly restore all Content databases from backup
• Security->Logins->Service Account->Database Access Tab->In upper pane select Content database->In lower pane check DB_OWNER checkbox->Click Ok

Pls noted that the restore process may take hours to complete depends on database size and how powerful your SQL server is. Mine is Proliant ML370G5 Quad Core Xeon, 4GB RAM takes 4 hours to restore 10GB database :-(

STEP 4: INSTALL WSS ON NEW SERVER
Install WSS3.0 on new server

STEP 5: CONNECT TO NEW SQL SERVER

• Run SharePoint Products and Technologies Configuration (PSCONFIG ) Wizard
• Select No, I want to create a new server farm
• 
  
• Database Server: Give Destination SQL Server name (same sql server name or instance as in step 2)
• Database Name: Type new Config Database Name
• Username: Use same Service account as used in existing old server
• Password: Password for that account
• 
  
• We should get configuration successful message.
• After PSCONFIG finishes successfully Central admin page will open automatically.

STEP 6: RESTORING SITES FROM DATABASES

Create a new web application http://app on port 80 with content database name WSS_Content_TEST

• Go to V3 Central Administration Page->Application Management->Create or extend Web Application
• Click on Create a new web application
• Choose any unused port number
• Enter Database Server Name and enter Database name as WSS_Content_TEST
• Wait for operation to complete
• After application is created create a site collection
• Fill the details and select Team site template click Ok
• Browse to test site http://app
• Check if it is working

To remove dummy_content_db (WSS_Content_TEST) from a web application

• Click on Content Databases
• On right hand side select the newly created web application if not already present
• Click on Database name WSS_Content_TEST
• Check remove content database checkbox and click OK

To attach restored content database to a new web application:

• Go to V3 Central Administration Page->Application Management->Sharepoint Web Application management->Content Databases->Add a content database->Enter database server and database name (WSS_Content)-> Click OK

Now browse to http://app and check if it is working
Similarly add content databases for other web applications.


NOTE:
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Do NOT discard Source SQL Server and Databases until the functionality of New SQL Server and WSS3.0 is tested and confirmed.