FAQ: How do I change or move an existing installation?

Definitions

ORIGINAL - refers to the original, or existing installation of AbleCommerce.  This could be a development or production website.

TARGET - refers to the proposed, or new installation of AbleCommerce.  This could also be a development or production website.

Prerequisites

1. Before beginning, identify the AbleCommerce version you are running for the ORIGINAL installation.  You can find this information by going to Help > About from the Merchant Administration menu.

2. Next, identify the database you are using for the ORIGINAL installation.  You can find this information by going to Configure > Security > Database from the Merchant Administration menu.  The information will be within the Current Connection String. (e.g. Data Source -.\SQLExpress)

3. Obtain a new license key by using the contact form on our website.  This is required even if the domain name or IP is not changing.

Install the TARGET version of AbleCommerce

In this step, you are going to install a second copy of AbleCommerce.  It is very important that you replicate the same version and database that you've identified in the prior section.  These instructions are not intended to include an upgrade.

1. Find your original software download, or the same version that you are running for the ORIGINAL installation.

2. Make sure the TARGET server is running with the minimum system requirements.

3. Complete a new installation of AbleCommerce by following the Installation Guide.

• Make sure you install with a new (empty) database that is of the same version as your original.

• Make sure you install with the new license key obtained for this purpose.

4. Confirm that the TARGET installation is working before you continue.

Move Files from the ORIGINAL to TARGET installation

This step assumes you have the ability to copy files from one server to another using FTP or a network.  

1. Before beginning, make sure that you do NOT overwrite the following files during the transfer:

• ..\web.config

• ..\app_data\commercebuilder.lic

• ..\app_data\database.config

• ..\app_data\encryption.config

• ..\app_data\ablecommerce.config

• ..\app_data\AbleCommerce.mdf (optional, see next section on moving a database)

• ..\app_data\AbleCommerce_log.ldf (optional, see next section on moving a database)

2. Copy all of the AbleCommerce files from the ORIGINAL installation to the TARGET installation, except the files noted in Step 1 above.
   Folders that would typically be customized are shown below, however, it is easiest to copy all files to make sure everything is moved over.  

• ..\app_data\scriptlets\custom\*.*

• ..\app_themes\ {your theme} \*.*

• ..\assets\productimages\*.*

• ..\conlib\custom\*.*

3. Confirm that the TARGET installation is still working before you continue.
    

Move the Database from the ORIGINAL to TARGET installation

This step is optional.  

If you want to start with a new database, there is nothing more you need to do.  If you want to move your database, then complete the steps below according to the type of database you are using.

IMPORTANT:  Before making a copy of the original database, make sure to disable the SSL setting within AbleCommerce if the TARGET website does not have an SSL certificate installed and working.

FOR SQL EXPRESS

There are no special steps involved.  You can simply copy the ORIGINAL database over the TARGET database.

1. Copy FROM:

•  ..\app_data\AbleCommerce.mdf

• ..\app_data\AbleCommerce_log.ldf

2. Copy TO the same location on the TARGET server, overwriting the existing database files.

FOR MS-SQL 2000 and MSSQL 2005

1. On the TARGET server, create a NEW database container

2. Restore a backup of the database you wish to move.

3. Make sure the restored user permissions are added back in, or that you have a new user with full rights to the database.

4. If you do not understand how to restore an SQL database, then contact your database administrator for help.

5. Login to your TARGET installation of AbleCommerce.

6. Go to the Configure > Security > Database page.  If you cannot access this page, then check your User to make sure you are a member of the "Super User" group.

7. From the Database Connection String page, you can view your current connection string.  

8. Now, carefully change the new connection string, making sure to use the new database name and user name (if different).

9. Check the box stating you understand that providing an incorrect connection string can disable your installation of AbleCommerce.

10. The box to Encrypt the connection string in the database.config file should already be checked, leave as-is.

11. Click the CHANGE button.  Confirm the installation is working and that you can view your data from the ORIGINAL database.

12. If you have improperly entered the database connection string, the installation will break.  Continue to the next section for instructions on fixing this issue.

NOTE:  If you have previously created a feed and then moved the database, you will need to manually modify the path to the feed file as follows.

1. In the database, there is a table called "ac_StoreSettings"

2. Within this table is a column for "CommonSiteMap_SiteMapDataPath".

3. It will have the path to your original server.

4. It needs to be changed to the new path of the target server.

Manually Changing the Database Connection String

The database connection string is encrypted in the file ..\App_Data\database.config

Here is how to modify the database.config file so you can enter your new database information.

1. Make a backup copy of ~\App_Data\database.config

2. Take a copy of the following code:

<connectionStrings>
<add name="AbleCommerce" connectionString="Server=yourserver;Database=yourDB;Uid=youruser;Pwd=yourPW; "providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
</connectionStrings>

3. Paste it into your database.config file.

4. Modify the connection string to have the correct new server, database name, username, and password information.
   (remove any unneeded breaks)

5. Save the updated database.config file.

6. Login to your AbleCommerce installation to confirm it is working properly.  If not, re-check your database settings and make any changes.

7. Go to the Configure > Security > Database page and check the box to Encrypt the connection string in the database.config file.

8. Check the box stating you understand that providing an incorrect connection string can disable your installation of AbleCommerce.

9. Click the CHANGE button.  This will re-encrypt the database connection string for added security.  
    

Tricks for a Seamless Transition

An AbleCommerce license key responds to the domain it was initially created with.  When you enter a new license key into a working AbleCommerce installation, the URL will automatically redirect to the domain the key is associated to.  If you are trying to change a development installation into a production installation, this could cause some issues if you are trying to access a domain name that is using a different address.  

Here is a suggestion that will allow you to test and work with a domain before the DNS is changed and propagated.

1. Find a file called "hosts" located in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name. The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one space.  Make a backup of this file before modifying.

2. Add an entry like this:
   
   200.100.50.25 www.myablestore.com

3. This will map the new IP to the domain.  Save the file when finished.

4. Next, you will need to flush your DNS by closing down any browser running on the server.

5. Open a command prompt and type IPCONFIG /FlushDNS

You can make this change on the new server and from your local computer.  This will allow you to test the AbleCommerce installation before making the final change to your DNS.