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MarcelG
Retired Support Moderator
Netherlands
2625 Posts |
 Posted - 24 November 2007 : 16:34:09
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I post this here just to share some info, so that's why it's not in the SQL support forum.
I'm trying to migrate oxle.com from it's access database to a sql express 2005 server database.
I've read all the warnings about using the dbs files to create the database etc, but being the stubborn dutch b*stard I am, I'm trying a different route. 
I've found an excellent how-to which describes how to use the SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Access to perform this tricky task, but unfortunately the howto isn't all I need.
The thing with the SSMA is that the sql database to migrate the data to may not have any 'special' character in it's name.
'Special' characters are for example the dot...yep, the simple ".".
And, ofcourse, my db is called "oxle.com".
So, instead of spending this nice saturday night on finally migrating oxle.com to SQL Express, I find myself having to write an e-mail to Erick Hamness, kindly asking him to rename the database.....grmbl.
Anyway, I hope that he can find some time this weekend to rename the database, otherwise I think the migration is going to be postponed until springbreak 2012, íf I find the time in my schedule by then. I'll let you know here how this progresses.
If it works I think it'll be an easy way to migrate a heavily modded forum. |
portfolio - linkshrinker - oxle - twitter |
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ruirib
Snitz Forums Admin
Portugal
26364 Posts |
Posted - 24 November 2007 : 18:56:38
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Marcel,
There are multiple reasons to use the setup file and the dbs files, but specially setup.asp. SQL Server is not like Access, where indexes are important, but not that important. If you use an SQL Server DB without indexes, it will perform much worse than Access, much, much worse. There are more reasons beside this one, but this one alone should be good enough.
No upgrade script will create a snitz SQL Server db as it should be created, simply because a lot of important info (like indexing) is not available from the Access DB! |
Snitz 3.4 Readme | Like the support? Support Snitz too |
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MarcelG
Retired Support Moderator
Netherlands
2625 Posts |
Posted - 24 November 2007 : 19:21:05
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Mmmm....let me try to understand this....
 I did already state I'm a stubborn b*st*rd, so please be gentle on me. 
In the Access DB, no info is available on the indexes, so yes, I understand that SSMA would not be able to 'think of them' when importing the tables and the data.
So, I'd have to set up a base forum database using setup.asp.
Then I have a SQL db which is already configured with indexes etc.
If I then use the SSMA to migrate the data (including the additional tables) to the SQL server, it would be ok, or would I have to manually set up the indexes for these new tables afterwards?
The thing is that I really do not have a clear overview of what I added....I started with a CrashCode database, and afaik the dbs's for that are nowhere to be found (at least, I don't have them anymore). For the mods I made myself I have just one or two dbs'es.... |
portfolio - linkshrinker - oxle - twitter |
Edited by - MarcelG on 24 November 2007 19:26:42 |
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ruirib
Snitz Forums Admin
Portugal
26364 Posts |
Posted - 25 November 2007 : 06:28:47
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I don't know SSMA, so I don't know whether it can use an existing DB, but I kinda doubt it, because AFAIK all previous upgraders created a new DB.
With a custom structure, probably some design by hand will be required, so maybe have two DBs, one created by SSMA and the other by Snitz, and then compare each table and add the differences to the Snitz DB (this option looks safer than adding the differences to the SSMA DB, but maybe that's just because I don't know SSMA and never see it in action). |
Snitz 3.4 Readme | Like the support? Support Snitz too |
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MarcelG
Retired Support Moderator
Netherlands
2625 Posts |
Posted - 25 November 2007 : 15:19:48
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| Ok. Thanks for the hints. I'm going to fiddle around with it, on a virtual server environment. In this way i can mess up as much as I want/need to. |
portfolio - linkshrinker - oxle - twitter |
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pdrg
Support Moderator
United Kingdom
2897 Posts |
Posted - 26 November 2007 : 11:31:36
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| The SSMA is a bit of a bottom-end tool - it's great for non-expert users to upgrade, but is no replacement for even a semi-skilled DBA when it comes to anything more complex than a 'my first database' database! |
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MarcelG
Retired Support Moderator
Netherlands
2625 Posts |
Posted - 26 November 2007 : 14:29:08
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| Mmmmm....I don't classify me as a psuedo-semi-wannabe-skilled DBA, so I guess doing this migration succesfully is simply too far fetched for me? |
portfolio - linkshrinker - oxle - twitter |
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ruirib
Snitz Forums Admin
Portugal
26364 Posts |
Posted - 26 November 2007 : 15:54:11
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| Can't say it's the easiest task, but you have done more difficult stuff before... Comparing the tool upgraded DB with a snitz created DB and an adequate tool (SQL Server Management Studio, or the Express version) you should be able to handle it. |
Snitz 3.4 Readme | Like the support? Support Snitz too |
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MarcelG
Retired Support Moderator
Netherlands
2625 Posts |
Posted - 27 November 2007 : 04:38:02
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Rui, I will follow the path of creating one Snitz SQL Express DB using setup.asp, and creating one using SSMA, and comparing each table.
Are the schemas also relevant to check? |
portfolio - linkshrinker - oxle - twitter |
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ruirib
Snitz Forums Admin
Portugal
26364 Posts |
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MarcelG
Retired Support Moderator
Netherlands
2625 Posts |
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