Procedure for Upgrading 1.4 to 2.0? - Upgrade Instructions

[kbpair]

I cannot find this documentation. Do I install in a new folder  (alfresco2) or just overwrite?
What happens to the alf_data content, do I save that and then add it back in?
Will Alfresco upgrade the database (mysql) for me? Do I just remove the 3 files associated with hsql and start up? The database already exists from the 1.4 installation so I think I skip the db_setup step.

Originally I wanted to run 2.0 alongside 1.4 but I did not see anyway to change the database name or username. Is this even possible?

I want to test 2.0 but need some more guidance? Any help is appreciated.

[derek]

Hi,

You should be using the extension samples as a starting point for overriding the database and filesystem configurations.

Read http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Repository_Configuration
And especially http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Repository_Configuration#New_Installations

I would say that you should back up your 1.4 (database and filesystem) to a safe place.  Then apply the proper configuration overrides and get that working properly.  Make sure that you can rename your database and move the alf_data location around and change the config appropriately.  Then just drop in the 2.0 war and it'll do the rest.

Regards

[dlittman999]

One of the big weak spots in the documentation and forums for this great product is the lack of "Instructions or Dummies".  Lots of the (repetitive) traffic on the various forums is "How do I …" regarding straightforward operations associated with backup, restore, and upgrade from new-ish users.

For example, I use the straight 1.4 binary with no mods. Now I want to upgrade to the 2.0 version.  I assume (hope, actually) that I do a full backup, export the files created, delete the 1.4, install the 2.0, import the 6 backup files, and I am good to go. Is this the algorithm?

I think a forum "Instructions for Dummies" organized as a set of "How Do I? + Do These Steps" on the basics would be valuable. I assume this is something the support team could do very, very quickly. I suspect there are around 25 items that, if addressed, would reduce repetitive traffic significantly.

As I am reasonably sophisticated, I fully admit that I am being lazy here with the hope that such a resource would make it easier for the less sophisticated.

[derek]

Hi,

Why not start at the beginning, and blog your progress from newbie to guru.  Quote references and sources.  Then someone will have done it.  Perhaps the issue is that people are too busy learning to document the process or are too busy coding to document it too.

That being said, there is a book available on getting Alfresco setup and configured.

Regards

[dlittman999]

Derek,
This seems a good idea.

I suspect your explanations for why this resource does not exist are correct.

Books are useful but it's information about debugging the process in the real word that is most important, is rarely covered in books, and accounts for much of the traffic on the boards.

Perhaps you could set up a forum or other formal place for people to contribute these documentations of real-world procedures and the Alfresco team could review and vet them.
Thanks,
David

[derek]

The Wiki is there for that.  And ofcourse, we'll read and adjust anything that goes on there.