move and upgrade procedure

I am moving my site to a new server and upgrading to 1.3.8a. From what I think is 1.3.6. My intention is to do this:

backup all site files and database
do a fresh install of 1.3.8a on the new server
install latest versions of modules (image manager, etc.)
test new site functioning
restore old database to new server
make appropriate changes to site (css, templates)

Is this the way to go? Can someone point me to some detailed description/s of exporting the existing database in the form required, and restoring it to the new server. I think I have it, but I really want to be sure.

You should be able to back up your database in phpMyAdmin to get it into a database on the new server ...

Note: if you are using one of our Certified Hosting companies you should check with them about helping to transfer your old site to the new server ...

We do recommend strongly that you upgrade a test database and test directory before upgrading your live site ...

There are numerous examples on how to do this that can be found with a search on:
/new_shop

in addition to reading the /docs and the tutorial/FAQs and Wiki ...

I would also suggest that first you get your existing v1.3.6 working on the new server, prior to attempting an upgrade of any kind to ensure that is functioning from the transfer properly ... then do the upgrade ...

One of the final pressures to move and upgrade was that in its current form, the site won't function with php5 and/or mySQL5. I only have cPanel and ftp access. (This as a consequence of server upgrade)

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by

"upgrade a test database and test directory"

Let's say I had a shop in the directory:
/catalog

and a database called: something_v136

I would make a new directory:
/new_shop

and a database called: something_v138

Then I would copy my files from /catalog to /new_shop and I would load a copy of my database something_v136 into the database something_v138 ...

Next, you need to edit the two configure.php files:
/includes/configure.php
/admin/includes/configure.php

and change the paths for /catalog to /new_shop and the database information from something_v136 to something_v138 and the username and password as needed ...

I would then make sure this works ... if possible, on the new server ...

If not, I would then load all the files from Zen Cart v1.3.8a to /new_shop and run the Upgrade on the database ... remember the NEW database is: something_v138 and this is the database to be upgrading ...

Then I would use something like Beyond Compare from scootersoftware.com to see what changes are needed on my templates and override files ...

Next I would test everything in the new version to make sure it works from create an account to shopping to checkout ... and the Admin etc.

Once all is well and working perfectly ...

I would set my Live site Down for Maintenance ...

Backup my Live database again and drop all tables from my new database something_v138 and reload the backup from something_v136 and Upgrade the database something_v138 again ...

This is to give you a current version of your shop and not miss any new orders, customers etc. while you were working on getting the new upgrade working ...

Once all is done ... I would test everything on the /new_shop again ...

NOTE: you are set for Down for Maintenance on the /new_shop and should turn that off for testing as many shipping and payment modules cannot function right with that on ...

When all is well ...

Set the NEW site Down for Maintenance ...

Change the 2 configure.php files to reflect the old path /catalog vs /new_shop but leave the new database something_v138 alone as that is your NEW Live database for this version ...

Rename the directory /catalog to /old_shop and then rename /new_shop to /catalog ...

Test test test ...

If all is well ... you can now turn off the Down for Maintenance and you are back up and online with your shop ...

Easy Smeazy, eh? :smile:

Thanks Linda,

I'll work through that carefully. After I have a little lie down. Reading that made me sleepy...

HI Linda

thanks a lot, as this giving me a much clearer picture on how to do an upgrade. however i do have some questions pertaining to your steps and instructions

1. you mentioned "and change the paths for /catalog to /new_shop and the database information from something_v136 to something_v138 and the username and password as needed ..."

how exactly should we do this? are we changing the path it points to, and change the database name stated in those files from something_v136 to something_v138 only?

my hosting provider once told me that once i set a folder for the shop files, i cannot rename the folder name or change to another path cos it will affect the database linkage with the shop files. but after seeing your instruction, seem to me that it has no problem to create test folder and then change the path after testing is completed, and it is okay with the database structure.

if this is true, then it will be a much easier life for me to test the upgrade. by the way, is there any precaution to make sure that the database is okay if i change the path?

2. i have installed wordpress on zencart module. If i install a test folder and database, do i have to install another copy of the wordpress? ie keep 2 copies of wordpress on the same server?

3. I can't use phpmyAdmin (host's limitation), i have to install the backup my sql module first before i can restore the database copy.. that's mean i have to modify the new zencart v1.3.8 files first with this module before running the database upgrade, right?

my planned steps are:

• create a test folder "new shop" & a new database "v138"
• copy all my existing shop folder to the new folder
• load the old database into this new database v138
• change the 2 config files
• test everything if it is well including all add ins.. especially wordpress on zencart..
• modify new zencart v138 files to include backup my sql tools
• upload new zencart v138 files
• running zc_install and upgrade the database
• check most of things are fine except the add ins
• compare files and templates and do the changes...
• if everything is okay, then will need to change the folder name and path name to show the new shop

do i miss out anything above?

thanks,
natalia