XF 1.1 Review my vB migration steps

[Mouth]

Looking to complete my site migration in the coming weeks, and would appreciate comments from my conversion steps .....

Objective: Successful conversion of entire site content to XenForo 1.1.2, including Enhanced Search

Background: Site is currently “homegrown” over approx 10 years using a mixture of static content, dynamic (php+mysql) content, and a busy vBulletin 3.8 forums. Server is i3 3.10GHz with 4Gb RAM using stable LEMP (Linux, Nginx(v1.2), MySQL(v5.5), PHP(v5.3, with fpm)). vBulletin is 1.7Gb with approx. 1.5 million posts and 23,500 users.

Preparation Steps:

1. Create sub-domain of beta.site.com
2. Install XenForo 1.1 into beta sub-domain following steps from http://xenforo.com/help/installation/
3. Review and configure all options
   1. Main options from http://xenforo.com/help/options/ including q&a captcha, facebook, and friendly URLs
   2. Feeder from http://xenforo.com/help/feeder/ for import of external news content
   3. Spam management from http://xenforo.com/help/spam/
4. Define a cache from http://xenforo.com/help/cache/
5. Install Enahanced Search from http://xenforo.com/help/enhanced-search/
6. Apply/Import previously purchased style. Also install XFS Mobile Style.
7. Copy across all static content into XF page nodes.
8. Create ‘Meet the Team’page from http://xenforo.com/community/resources/team-staff-page-templates.344/
9. Backup XF complete database as “base+static” XF installation
10. Perform vBulletin import from http://xenforo.com/help/importing/ (excluding vB search tables, since using XF advanced search). Record time taken, note any errors.
11. Install Add-on mods, and configure each appropriately
    1. Ad Management (mercAds)
    2. Digital Point User Map
    3. Join User Groups (by Waindigo)
    4. Nodes As Tabs
    5. Hide Memberlist for Guests (ragtek)
    6. XenAtendo
    7. XenCarta
    8. XenPorta
    9. XenUtilities
    10. LN Blog
    11. Tag Me (bd)
    12. XenKingDir
12. Prepare User Upgrades from http://xenforo.com/help/user-upgrades/ for paid memberships
13. Backup XF complete database as “base+static+forums” XF installation
14. Create vB forums/topics/posts URL redirect to relevant XF
15. Test and evaluate, check usergroup/node permissions. Rectify any errors or issues.

Migration Steps:

1. Take site ‘offline’, redirecting all traffic to a countdown timer
2. Move ‘old’ site content offline
3. Restore XF DB from step 9 above
4. Perform vBulletin import
5. Test and evaluate all is OK. Refer checks from step 15 to complete
6. Move XF from sub-domain to main domain
7. Open site to users/public!!

 

[Jake Bunce]

Looks solid.

 

[Coop1979]

From personal experience, I wouldn't install any add-ons before completing the data migration. Do it on as vanilla of an XF installation as possible. Then install and configure your add-ons.

 

[SchmitzIT]

Looks great, Jason.

If you run into any trouble whatsoever, give me a shout

 

[ArnyVee]

Looks pretty good

This may be good to use as a sticky thread in the 'how to' or 'guide' on how to migrate over

(Unless, of course, these type of instructions are already elsewhere in a help page or sticky thread and I just haven't bothered to look because I'm too lazy right now )

 

[Mouth]

From personal experience, I wouldn't install any add-ons before completing the data migration. Do it on as vanilla of an XF installation as possible. Then install and configure your add-ons.

Thanks, good feedback. Thus, move step 7 down to between step 14 and 15?

 

[Mouth]

Unless, of course, these type of instructions are already elsewhere in a help page or sticky thread [...]

I looked and couldn't find any that were together as one, just sections of it in a few different help pages and forum topics.
If anyone is aware of an existing steps/guide, would appreciate a link to it.

 

[Coop1979]

Thanks, good feedback. Thus, move step 7 down to between step 14 and 15?

Yes, exactly. Not figuring out that an add-on was causing me problems probably cost me 40 hours of downtime.

 

[Mouth]

Thanks, have updated OP to reflect.

Is there a method to get a report/export of an XF installation's settings/options? I'm thinking sort of a revision control for before and after changes?

 

[DBA]

Migration Steps:

1. Take site ‘offline’, redirecting all traffic to a countdown timer
2. Move ‘old’ site content offline
3. Restore XF DB from step 12 above
4. Perform vBulletin import
5. Test and evaluate all is OK. Refer checks from step 15 to complete
6. Move XF from sub-domain to main domain
7. Open site to users/public!!

You may want to update step 3 with "Restore XF DB from step 9, otherwise you'll be double importing your vB database.

 

[Mouth]

You may want to update step 3 with "Restore XF DB from step 9, otherwise you'll be double importing your vB database.

Ooops, yes. Thanks!