Migrating to a new server

Owned by Cliff Hales
Last updated: Dec 31, 2020 by Adriana Irving
2 min read

Step for preparing a new server and migrating users to the new server.

Note

Note: Steps 1 through 8 can be done while users are in the old system. Once Step 8 (testing) is done, you can schedule the remaining steps when users are no longer in the old system.


1. Copy the Easy Rides (Mobilitat) shared folder from the old server to the new server. Set up file sharing so that users can access the new share.
2. Download and install SQL Server (2016 or newer preferred). Make sure to download an edition that includes Management Studio.
3.  While installing SQL Server, make sure to select the option to use Mixed Mode Authentication. Set the 'sa' user password and make a note of this password.
4. Take a database backup from the old server. Restore it to the new server.
5. In the Easy Rides (Mobilitat) shared folder on the new server, delete the file called: Default Data Link. This file tells Easy Rides what database to connect to. Deleting it, will cause Easy Rides to prompt for a new database connection.
6. Open Easy Rides on the new server. It will prompt for a database connection. Configure it to use the new database server. Use the sa login and password you set in step 3.
7. Once Easy Rides is running on the server, you'll want to test it on the workstations. Sometimes a firewall rule will prevent you from connecting to the new server. If that happens, add  an exception for port 1433 (the default SQL port).
8. Now that you have a copy of Easy Rides set up for the new server, you can schedule a time to do the actual changeover of databases.


Changeover:

1. Make sure all users are out of Easy Rides.
2. Backup the database on the old server.
3. Copy the backup file to the new server and restore it.
4. Make sure Easy Rides on the new server still runs. Also check that is runs on the workstations.
5. Verify that data in the new database matches what is on the old server.
6. Stop the SQL server service on the old server. (This will prevent users from accidentally using the  old database.)
7. On workstations, remove shortcuts and shared drives referencing the old server. Set up new shortcuts for the new shared drive and copies of Easy Rides.

Cleanup:

After Easy Rides is back up and running there are a few things left to do.

1. Any MS Access  reports will still need to be told about the new database. You can do this by opening the report, right clicking on any linked table and using the Linked Table Manager to specify a new location.
2. The new copy of Easy Rides will need to be configured to know where it's MS Access manifest file is located.

   Contact GMV Syncromatics 888-806-6595 for assistance if you have any trouble.