Hosting - How do I move my SMF forum to a different host: Difference between revisions From Online Manual

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The move consists of 3 steps:
The move consists of 3 steps:


*'''Step 1''' - Move the files of the forum. Usually, the best way to do this will be to download the files to your computer and then upload them again on the new host. Some hosts have a "transfer service" which will log into your old host via [[FTP_-_How_do_I_use_FTP|FTP]], grab all the files, and copy them to your new host. If your host has this feature, it is up to you to make certain that all of the files were successfully transferred.
*'''Step 1''' - Prepare by checking whether you have an SSL cert. You should also discuss transfer and installation with your new host.


*'''Step 2''' - Move your forum's database from the old host to the new host. Taking a [[Backup|backup]] will let you transfer to the files and database to the new host. After you have the backup then you can [[Backup#Restoring_your_database|restore your database]] and [[Backup#Restoring_your_forum_files|files]] on your new host.
*'''Step 2''' - Make a file system [[Backup|backup]].


*'''Step 3''' - If the database server or connection details, URL or file paths have changed, you will have to change the forum settings to point to the new database, new URL and new file paths. The [[repair_settings.php]] tool will do most of the work for you automatically. If you have any mods which include paths or URLs in their settings, you will need to go to the settings page for each mod and update the values there.
*'''Step 3''' - Make a database backup at the same time to ensure that the two backups are in sync.
 
*'''Step 4''' - Restore the files and the database within the target system.  Note that sometimes restoring the files and database is a substantial and  time consuming task and that some hosts have size limitations on restoring these.  If you encounter problems ask your new host to carry out this step.
 
*'''Step 5''' - Run [[repair_settings.php]] on the new system to ensure that your paths, URLs, and database credentials are correct.
 
*'''Step 6''' - Carefully inspect any redirects that may exist in either .htaccess or index.html to ensure that they are not referencing old directory/file structures.
 
*'''Step 7''' - Inspect the settings for each mod that you have installed. Look for folders or URLs that need updating.  [[Repair_settings.php]] does not update mod settings, so you have to identify these and update them yourself.
 
*'''Step 8''' - As a safety measure and to ensure that everything is linked together correctly, it is recommended that you run the forum database maintenance function, the 'find and fix any errors' maintenance function, and the attachment integrity check.  If any of these generate errors it means that something has gone wrong.
 
*'''Step 9''' - Coordinate the IP address change with your registrar.  Note this takes time and may make the forum inaccessible for a while.
 
*'''Step 10''' - If you use Google or Bing webmaster tools, or if you have a robot.txt file, you should confirm they are working as expected after the site migration has taken place.


<noinclude>[[Category:FAQ]]</noinclude>
<noinclude>[[Category:FAQ]]</noinclude>

Revision as of 15:21, 1 July 2018

The move consists of 3 steps:

  • Step 1 - Prepare by checking whether you have an SSL cert. You should also discuss transfer and installation with your new host.
  • Step 2 - Make a file system backup.
  • Step 3 - Make a database backup at the same time to ensure that the two backups are in sync.
  • Step 4 - Restore the files and the database within the target system. Note that sometimes restoring the files and database is a substantial and time consuming task and that some hosts have size limitations on restoring these. If you encounter problems ask your new host to carry out this step.
  • Step 5 - Run repair_settings.php on the new system to ensure that your paths, URLs, and database credentials are correct.
  • Step 6 - Carefully inspect any redirects that may exist in either .htaccess or index.html to ensure that they are not referencing old directory/file structures.
  • Step 7 - Inspect the settings for each mod that you have installed. Look for folders or URLs that need updating. Repair_settings.php does not update mod settings, so you have to identify these and update them yourself.
  • Step 8 - As a safety measure and to ensure that everything is linked together correctly, it is recommended that you run the forum database maintenance function, the 'find and fix any errors' maintenance function, and the attachment integrity check. If any of these generate errors it means that something has gone wrong.
  • Step 9 - Coordinate the IP address change with your registrar. Note this takes time and may make the forum inaccessible for a while.
  • Step 10 - If you use Google or Bing webmaster tools, or if you have a robot.txt file, you should confirm they are working as expected after the site migration has taken place.
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