Overview of Moving a Store

Moving a Store

"Moving" a store means that you currently have a working store on one server and want to move it to another server. For related procedures, see Upgrading a ShopSite Mall or Store.

Note:

Because Starter stores do not have a database download option and are limited to 5 pages and 15 products, it is usually much easier to obtain a new store.auth file for the new store, run the install program to install the new store on the new server, then recreate the store and shut down the old one.

There are a few factors that affect moving a ShopSite store:

Both servers must be running the same version of ShopSite. If the original store is running on an older version, it must be upgraded before the move, or moved to a new install of the older version on the new server.

The amount of information that can be moved depends on what level of access you have to both servers:

Almost all of a store's data and configuration can be moved when you have access to the command line interface on both servers. You must have the correct permissions on both the old and the new server to tar and untar files in the store's data directory.
Only a store's product and page information can be moved when you don't have access to the command line interface on both servers. You can move the product and page information from the merchant interface.

The method of moving the store's product and page information depends on whether the old server and the new server have the same type of CPU and operating system, because that affects the format of the ShopSite databases:

The store's databases can be copied between the servers when both servers have the same type of CPU. This means all Intel operating systems (Linux, FreeBSD, BSDI, and Windows 2000/NT) with the exception of Solaris. Also, store databases can be moved between Solaris/SPARC and Irix servers.
The store's databases must be downloaded from the old server and uploaded to the new server when the servers have different types of CPUs. This also applies if one of the servers is running Solaris on Intel, because it has its own unique database formats.

Select the correct set of instructions based on the above factors:

If both servers have the same type of CPU and you have access to the command line interface, move the store's data directory.

If the servers have different types of CPUs and you have access to the command line interface, move the data directory and the store's databases.

If you don't have access to the command line interface, move the products and pages databases.