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    3. 2010
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    Migrating between EPiServer 4-5-6 is as easy as 1-2-3 (part 2)

    Well, at least sometimes. However, it's likely that you'll encounter a few challenges along the way. This post provides a reference collection and a general overview of the required steps. Part 2 of 2.

    By Arild Henrichsen

    See also: Migrating between EPiServer 4-5-6 is as easy as 1-2-3 (part 1), which provides an overview of the available EPiServer versions and how to plan your migration strategy.

    Overview:

     

    Moving from EPiServer 4 to CMS 5

    If your existing site is pre-4.62:

     

    If your existing site is 4.62:

    Please refer to the following documentation:

    1. Download and install .NET 3.5 SP1

    • http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22

    2. Download and install EPiServer CMS 5 R2

    3. Obtain a valid CMS 5 license

    4. Prepare existing 4.62 site (source):

    • Back up existing site and database
    • Verify that database connection string is correct
    • Verify that paths to filesystem (upload) and admin/edit UI are correct
    • Verify that the site is browseable, login works and it has a valid license

    5. Install a new CMS 5 R2 site (target) using CMS Manager:

    • Must use new database, but a pre-existing database user account can be used
    • Supply a valid license
    • Do not install Public/Demo Templates
    • Verify that NETWORK SERVICE and IUSR_<hostname> accounts have read/write access to the web site root
    • Verify that the site is browseable

    Note: If using IIS 5 (e.g. WinXP), only one site may be running at a time. In this case, stop the old 4.62 site and start the new CMS 5 R2 site before continuing.

    6. Install and run the EPiServer Migration Tool 1.1.0.38:

    7. Copy the files from the 4.62 site over to the CMS 5 R2:

    • Templates folder, language files, scripts folders, any plugins or custom properties folders
    • Filesystem (upload) will be converted and copied automatically during the migration
    • Merge differences between the 4.62 site Web.config and the CMS 5 R2 site Web.config (applicationSettings, upload path, UI path etc)

    8. Handle breaking changes:

    • Rewrite any code that no longer compiles (see Breaking Changes documentation)
    • Redeploy files and retry

    9. Test CMS 5 R2 site:

    • Verify that site is browseable and that admin/edit login works
    • Verify that the filesystem is intact

     

    Additional references for EPiServer 4 / 5:

     

    Challenges when moving from EPiServer 4 to CMS 5:

    Rewriting code to handle breaking changes:

    Rewriting from EPiServer ContentFramework to ASP.NET 2.0 MasterPages:

    Replacing EPiFields with Dynamic Content:

    Handling changes in the configuration files:

    Implementing the ASP.NET 2.0 Membership/Role Provider system:

    Changes to the filesystem:

     

    Troubleshooting - EPiServer 4 to 5

    Errors during EPiServer 4 installation/configuration:

    ERROR: Cannot install files: The installation failed, and the rollback has been performed. [The name is already in use as either a service name or a service display name]
    CAUSE: A newer version of the EPiServer Scheduler service is already installed on the web server. Installing EPiServer 5.x on a system where EPiServer 4.x is installed is OK, but the other way around causes problems.
    SOLUTION: Go to Administrative Tools > Services > Stop and disable the "EPiServer Scheduler service".
    OPTIONAL SOLUTION: 

    • Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Uninstall the EPiServer CMS 5 Scheduler service
    • Reinstall EPiServer 4.x and EPiServer 4 Shared Components
    • Run migration, then reinstall EPiServer 5.x and EPiServer 5 Shared Components

    For more information see:
    http://world.episerver.com/en/Blogs/Magnus-Paulsson/Dates/2009/1/Problems-installing-EPiServer-4x-with-newer-versions-of-EPiServer-and-NET-present/


    ERROR:
    System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: Server was unable to process request. ---> System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

      at LicenseRegistry.LicenseCreator.CreateLicense(License license)   at LicenseRegistry.DataAbstraction.License.CreateLicenseFile()
      at ProductUpdate.InstallUnit..ctor(Int32 licenseNumber, String licensedCompany) in C:\LicenseRegistry\Production\ProductUpdate\InstallUnit.cs:line 30
      at ProductUpdate.UpdateManager.AddLicense(Product prod, InstallUnit[] units) in C:\LicenseRegistry\Production\ProductUpdate\UpdateManager.asmx.cs:line 132
      at ProductUpdate.UpdateManager.RequestInstall(Product product) in C:\LicenseRegistry\Production\ProductUpdate\UpdateManager.asmx.cs:line 122

    CAUSE: When installing EPiServer 4.62B using online package, there is a known problem with the licensing system (seems the installer tries to generate/validate a license even though a license file has been supplied).
    SOLUTION: Use EPiServer Manager to create an offline installation package, and install from that instead (still using EPiServer Manager).

     

    ERROR: System.Security.Cryptography.CryptographicException: Bad Data
    CAUSE:     Web.config is encrypted, containing lines with values that could not be decrypted (was encrypted on another server - encryption is partly based on unique machine keys).
    SOLUTION: Replace the values in lines containing "ENCRYPTED" with plain-text values (can be found using EPiServer Manager on the server where the web.config was originally encypted, or insert values matching the new server).

     

    Errors during migration from 4.x:

    ERROR: Failed to register ASP.NET client scripts on this site [The system cannot find the file specified]
    Cause: Migration Tool is dependent on .NET 2.0 and is conflicted because .NET 3.0 or higher is installed on the system.
    Solution: Temporarily move or rename the following folders:

    • C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.0
    • C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5
      then retry the Migration Tool.

    For more information see:
    http://world.episerver.com/Modules/Forum/Pages/Thread.aspx?id=17376&epslanguage=en

     


    ERROR:     Cannot find Stored Procedure "dbo.aspnet_CheckSchemaVersion":
    SOLUTION:     Perform the following steps:

    • Locate C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regsql.exe
    • Use the 4.62 database as command line argument and run with default settings
    • Restart SQL Server
    • "dbo.aspnet_CheckSchemaVersion" should now be found in the database

    For more information see:
    http://world.episerver.com/Templates/Forum/Pages/thread.aspx?id=15693

     

     

    Moving from CMS 5 to CMS 6 R1

    Please refer to the following documentation:

    1. Download and install EPiServer CMS 6 R1

    2. Obtain a valid CMS 6 license

    3. Upgrade the existing CMS 5 site using Deployment Center:

    • Deployment Center > EPiServer CMS > Version 6.0.530.0 > Upgrade Site with SQL Server database  
    • From the list, select the CMS 5 site you want to upgrade
    • Click "Upgrade" to start the process
    • On completion, close Deployment Center

    4. Install new CMS 6 license

    5. Test the new CMS 6 site:

    • Verify that the site is browseable and that admin/edit login works
    • Verify that file system is intact

    Challenges when moving from CMS 5 to CMS 6:

    Handling breaking changes:

    Web.config being split into multiple configuration files:

    XForms being converted to the new Dynamic Data Store:

    Path to admin/edit mode changed because of Online Center:

     

    Additional references for EPiServer 5 / 6:

    Upgrading from CMS 5 R2 to CMS 6 RC1:

    Upgrading manually (without Deployment Center) from CMS 5 R2 to CMS 6 R2:

     

     

     

    Moving from EPiServer 6 R1 to 6 R2

    Please refer to the following documentation:

    1. Download and install EPiServer CMS 6 R2

    2. Obtain a valid CMS 6 R2 license

    3. Upgrade the existing CMS 6 R1 site using Deployment Center:

    • Deployment Center > EPiServer CMS > Version 6.1.379.0 > Upgrade Site with SQL Server database  
    • From the list, select the CMS 6 R1 site you want to upgrade
    • Click "Upgrade" to start the process
    • On completion, close Deployment Center

    4. Install new CMS 6 license

    5. Test the new CMS 6 site:

    • Verify that the site is browseable and that admin/edit login works
    • Verify that file system is intact

     

    Troubleshooting - EPiServer 6 R1 to 6 R2

    Upgrading from CMS 6 R1 to CMS 6 R2:

    Upgrading Xforms fails:

    Blank page references in "Fetch-data" function:

    Upgrading CMS 6 R1 sites that run .NET 4:

    Things to consider when upgrading from CMS 6 R1 to CMS 6 R2:

    Issues when upgrading to CMS 6 R2:

    Login fails for user '':

    • http://baisaksen.net/episerver/login-failed-for-user

    IE11 incompatibility issues patch:

     

    See also: Migrating between EPiServer 4-5-6 is as easy as 1-2-3 (part 1), which provides an overview of the available EPiServer versions and how to plan your migration strategy.