Converting: Difference between revisions From Online Manual

Jump to: navigation, search
(added info from http://docs.simplemachines.org/index.php?topic=17.0)
(I fixed some serious grammatical errors and spelling errors.)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{TOCright}}Converting to an SMF forum has never been easier! A fully installed SMF forum must be present before converting. Converting will wipe out any existing SMF data, but it will not change the forum you are converting from. If you run into problems, you can get start a topic on the [http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=20.0 Converting to SMF] board at [http://www.simplemachines.org/ simplemachines.org]. Converting to SMF from almost any forum software can be done in five fast and simple steps.
{{TOCright}}Converting to a forum has never been easier! A fully installed SMF forum must be present before converting. Converting will wipe out any existing SMF data, but it will not change the forum you are converting from. If you run into problems, you can get start a topic on the [http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=20.0 Converting to SMF] board at our official support forum. Converting to SMF from almost any forum software can be done in five fast and simple steps.


==Check the Server Requirements==
==Check the Server Requirements==
Your server must meet a few requirements to be able to run SMF. If you are unsure that your webserver meets these requirements, please try the installation and conversion anyway - it should detect any problems.
Your server must meet a few requirements to be able to run SMF. If you are not sure that your webserver meets these requirements, please try the installation and conversion process anyway - this should detect any problems.


A list of requirements can be found on the Installing SMF page. If your server does not meet these requirements, SMF may not work properly.  
A list of requirements can be found on the Installing SMF page. If your server does not meet these requirements, SMF may not work properly.  


==Download the conversion tools==
==Download the conversion tools==
The latest SMF converters can be found on the [http://download.simplemachines.org/?converters converters downloads] page of the official Simple Machines website.<br />
The latest SMF converters can be found on the [http://download.simplemachines.org/?converters converter downloads] page of our website.<br />


Download the latest version of your required converter from the official Simple Machines website. Listed will be all the forum softwares and versions currently supported by Simple Machines, feel free to ask for another converter in the[http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=20.0 Converting to SMF] board if your forum software is not listed. Commonly, .zip files are the preferred download type. Most operating systems have the tools available to extract .zip archives already installed.
First, download the latest version of your required converter from our website. All the forum software and versions currently supported by Simple Machines will be listed. Feel free to ask for another converter in the[http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=20.0 Converting to SMF] board if your forum software is not listed. Commonly, .zip files are the preferred download type. Most operating systems have the tools available to extract .zip archives already installed.




==Extract and Upload the conversion tools==
==Extract and Upload the conversion tools==
Once the conversion archive has been downloaded it will need to be uploaded and extracted before the convert tool can be run. There are two possible methods for this step. The method used will depend on the tools available with the control panel supplied by the hosting service provided. Please ensure you upload in Binary if using an FTP client. The convert.php file and the associated SQL file for the forum software must be uploaded to the same folder a the blank SMF install.
Once the conversion archive has been downloaded it will need to be uploaded and extracted before the conversion tool can be used. There are two methods for this step. The method used will depend on the tools available with the control panel supplied by your hosting service. Please ensure you upload in binary if you are using an FTP client. The convert.php file and the associated SQL file for the forum software must be uploaded to the same folder as the blank SMF install.




===Uploading Before Extracting===
===Uploading Before Extracting===
Some control panels have the ability to extract an archive, such as cPanel. This allows for hassle free uploading and extraction of the archive. Once the archive is uploaded, select the extract option to extract the archive to the desired location. Ensure that overwrite files is selected to have the newer files replace the old ones.
Some control panels have the ability to extract an archive, such as cPanel. This allows hassle-free uploading and extraction of the archive. Once the archive is uploaded, select the "Extract" option to extract the archive to the desired location. Make sure that overwrite files is selected so the newer files replace the old ones.
 


===Extracting Before Uploading===
===Extracting Before Uploading===
If extracting abilities are not available inside the control panel, the archive can be extracted before uploading. Generally right clicking the archive and selecting the extract all option will work. The directory structure should be retained when the upgrade archive is extracted, so all files and directories are in the correct places.
If extracting abilities are not available inside the control panel, the archive can be extracted before uploading. Generally, selecting the archive with the right mouse button and selecting the extract all options will work. The directory structure should be retained when the upgrade archive is extracted, so all files and directories are in the correct places.
 


==Backup the Database==
==Backup the Database==
Before starting the conversion process a backup of the live database should be taken, this protects the forum from accidental damage and any issues from converting. Although all steps are taken, and extensive testing carried out, sometimes issues develop so having a backup is crucial.
Before starting the conversion process, a backup of the live database should be taken. This protects the forum from accidental damage and any issues from converting. Although all steps are taken, and extensive testing carried out, sometimes issues develop. Therefore, having a backup is crucial.
 
 
===Backup a Database Using PHPMyAdmin===
PHPMyAdmin allows the option to export a database, from the initial page select the export option and follow the instructions and select your forum software's database. These options are different based on host.


===Backup a Database Using phpMyAdmin===
phpMyAdmin allows the option to export a database, from the initial page select the export option and follow the instructions and select your forum softwares' database, these are different based on host.


===Backup a Database Using a Control Panel===
===Backup a Database Using a Control Panel===
If the hosting service provides a control panel interface, this can be used to backup a database. Selecting the Backups or Backups Wizard option should take you to prompts for backing up a database. With different hosts these options may have different names.
If the hosting service provides a control panel interface, this can be used to backup a database. Selecting the "Backups" or "Backup Wizard" option should take you to prompts for backing up a database. With different hosts these options may have different names.
 


===Database access===
===Database access===
The conversion tools will access all your existing forum software data through the database, for this to work correctly SMF will require access to read the existing database. On most hosts this will not be an issue, users can be added to the database through a hosting control panel.
The conversion tools will access all your existing forum software data through the database, for this to work correctly SMF will require access to read the existing database. On most hosts, this will not be an issue, considering the fact that user accounts can be added to the database through a hosting control panel.
 


==Run the Convert Tool==
==Run the Convert Tool==
The final step in converting to SMF is running the conversion tool. Navigate to the directory where SMF resides, and then open the convert.php file. For eg: www.yourdomain.com/forum/convert.php.
The final step in converting to SMF is to run the conversion tool. Navigate to the directory where SMF has been placed, and open the convert.php file. In example: www.yourdomain.com/forum/convert.php.
 


===Converter Settings===
===Converter Settings===
Line 49: Line 56:


==Finishing the Conversion Process==
==Finishing the Conversion Process==
Once all parts of the conversion have completed, check the box to remove the conversion files from the server. If this does not work they will need to be deleted via FTP. All conversion files should be removed from the server once the conversion process is complete as they are a major security risk if left on a server unattended.
Once all parts of the conversion have completed, check the box to remove the conversion files from the server. If this does not work, they will need to be deleted via FTP. All conversion files should be removed from the server, once the conversion process is complete. They are a major security risk if left on a server unattended.
 
'''Congratulations on converting to SMF successfully!'''


{{Installing SMF}}
{{Installing SMF}}

Revision as of 22:32, 11 February 2011

Converting to a forum has never been easier! A fully installed SMF forum must be present before converting. Converting will wipe out any existing SMF data, but it will not change the forum you are converting from. If you run into problems, you can get start a topic on the Converting to SMF board at our official support forum. Converting to SMF from almost any forum software can be done in five fast and simple steps.

Check the Server Requirements

Your server must meet a few requirements to be able to run SMF. If you are not sure that your webserver meets these requirements, please try the installation and conversion process anyway - this should detect any problems.

A list of requirements can be found on the Installing SMF page. If your server does not meet these requirements, SMF may not work properly.

Download the conversion tools

The latest SMF converters can be found on the converter downloads page of our website.

First, download the latest version of your required converter from our website. All the forum software and versions currently supported by Simple Machines will be listed. Feel free to ask for another converter in theConverting to SMF board if your forum software is not listed. Commonly, .zip files are the preferred download type. Most operating systems have the tools available to extract .zip archives already installed.


Extract and Upload the conversion tools

Once the conversion archive has been downloaded it will need to be uploaded and extracted before the conversion tool can be used. There are two methods for this step. The method used will depend on the tools available with the control panel supplied by your hosting service. Please ensure you upload in binary if you are using an FTP client. The convert.php file and the associated SQL file for the forum software must be uploaded to the same folder as the blank SMF install.


Uploading Before Extracting

Some control panels have the ability to extract an archive, such as cPanel. This allows hassle-free uploading and extraction of the archive. Once the archive is uploaded, select the "Extract" option to extract the archive to the desired location. Make sure that overwrite files is selected so the newer files replace the old ones.


Extracting Before Uploading

If extracting abilities are not available inside the control panel, the archive can be extracted before uploading. Generally, selecting the archive with the right mouse button and selecting the extract all options will work. The directory structure should be retained when the upgrade archive is extracted, so all files and directories are in the correct places.


Backup the Database

Before starting the conversion process, a backup of the live database should be taken. This protects the forum from accidental damage and any issues from converting. Although all steps are taken, and extensive testing carried out, sometimes issues develop. Therefore, having a backup is crucial.


Backup a Database Using PHPMyAdmin

PHPMyAdmin allows the option to export a database, from the initial page select the export option and follow the instructions and select your forum software's database. These options are different based on host.


Backup a Database Using a Control Panel

If the hosting service provides a control panel interface, this can be used to backup a database. Selecting the "Backups" or "Backup Wizard" option should take you to prompts for backing up a database. With different hosts these options may have different names.


Database access

The conversion tools will access all your existing forum software data through the database, for this to work correctly SMF will require access to read the existing database. On most hosts, this will not be an issue, considering the fact that user accounts can be added to the database through a hosting control panel.


Run the Convert Tool

The final step in converting to SMF is to run the conversion tool. Navigate to the directory where SMF has been placed, and open the convert.php file. In example: www.yourdomain.com/forum/convert.php.


Converter Settings

Path to SMF
The path to the SMF install (eg. /home/user/SMF), the default information will usually be correct.
Path to forum software
The path to the existing forum software (eg. /home/user/forum).
SMF Database Password
As a security measure SMF requires the SMF database password to be entered to stop unauthorized conversions.
Set SMF's default character set to
Select a character set for the SMF install to use, usually the default will be acceptable, if in doubt select UTF-8.


Finishing the Conversion Process

Once all parts of the conversion have completed, check the box to remove the conversion files from the server. If this does not work, they will need to be deleted via FTP. All conversion files should be removed from the server, once the conversion process is complete. They are a major security risk if left on a server unattended.



Advertisement: