How to upgrade DotNetNuke® from v3.x to v3.2 on a live website

Upgrading DotNetNuke
By Lee Sykes
December 2005

This free video tutorial demonstrates how to upgrade DotNetNuke® from any version 3.x to the latest DotNetNuke 3.2 version.

Recommendations

It is very important that you backup your entire website and database before attempting an upgrade, especially the web.config file.

It is also recommended that you attempt an upgrade on a practice installation of DotNetNuke within a localhost install to ensure that you have fully understood the upgrade process.

Within the localhost install, test the upgraded version of DotNetNuke with all of the modules that you currently use on your live website. This is to ensure that all of your modules are compatible with the latest version of DotNetNuke.

We accept no responsibility for loss of data or problems occurring from failed updates, so please ensure everything is fully backed up and tested before attempting an upgrade on a live website.

When to upgrade

Upgrade your website when it is at its quietest point in the day (ie. midnight). This is because your website will not be accessible to your visitors while you are upgrading.

If you have installed the Users Online module, you can use this module to check how many users are currently accessing your website.

Upgrading DotNetNuke

The video below walks you through the entire process of upgrading your DotNetNuke portal.

Time Length: 20min 4secs

You need to Register for free to DNN Creative Magazine and Login to access this download.

Key points to note from the video

  • Backup your installation
  • Backup the web.config file
  • Backup any other files you may have changed such as the fav.ico file, custom 404 pages, etc.
  • Edit the web.config file
    <add key="AutoUpgrade" value="true" />
    to
    <add key="AutoUpgrade" value="false" />

  • Upload this change to the server

  • Transfer from your server web.config file the settings to the release.config file, covering:
    • <add key="SiteSqlServer" value="Server=7.8.2.1,23;Database=audio32xT;uid=Myuid;pwd=usm38fTJ;" />
    • <add key="MachineValidationKey" value="DB02CB97BAE1814E49F1310895EC33B22FC70014" />
    • <add key="MachineDecryptionKey" value="6E324A6FF2B87D590B71D61FDD95C82A137C980893117CF0"/>
    • <add key="InstallationDate" value="11/19/2005" />

  • If you have made any further changes to your web.config file for third party modules,  HTTP compression, or database object qualifiers, copy these changes across to the release.config file

  • If you have enabled HTTP compression, disable it until you have completed the upgrade

  • Tip: - When you make changes to your web.config file, surround the changes with comments so that it easy to spot at a later date any changes that you have made

  • Save the changes to the release.config file and rename it to web.config

  • The first file to upload is the dotnetnuke.dll file from the bin folder

  • This informs DotNetNuke that you are upgrading the website and it will now display an under construction page
    • (You can view the under construction page in the Install folder)

  • Upload all of the DotNetNuke 3.2 installation files over the top of the current installation

  • Open your browser and enter the following URL:
    • http://www.yourwebsiteaddress.com/Install/Install.aspx?mode=Install

  • This will trigger the installation process

  • Check that your website is operating correctly and that you can still login

If you have any further questions regarding upgrading, this forum thread may provide further information: http://forums.asp.net/1122307/ShowPost.aspx
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