• Publisert
  • 6 min

Migrating between EPiServer 4-5-6 is as easy as 1-2-3 (part 2)

Well, at least sometimes. However, it's likely that you'll encounter a few challenges along the way. This post provides a reference collection and a general overview of the required steps. Part 2 of 2.

See also: Migrating between EPiServer 4-5-6 is as easy as 1-2-3 (part 1), which provides an overview of the available EPiServer versions and how to plan your migration strategy.

Overview:

 

Moving from EPiServer 4 to CMS 5

If your existing site is pre-4.62:

 

If your existing site is 4.62:

Please refer to the following documentation:

1. Download and install .NET 3.5 SP1

  • http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22

2. Download and install EPiServer CMS 5 R2

3. Obtain a valid CMS 5 license

4. Prepare existing 4.62 site (source):

  • Back up existing site and database
  • Verify that database connection string is correct
  • Verify that paths to filesystem (upload) and admin/edit UI are correct
  • Verify that the site is browseable, login works and it has a valid license

5. Install a new CMS 5 R2 site (target) using CMS Manager:

  • Must use new database, but a pre-existing database user account can be used
  • Supply a valid license
  • Do not install Public/Demo Templates
  • Verify that NETWORK SERVICE and IUSR_<hostname> accounts have read/write access to the web site root
  • Verify that the site is browseable

Note: If using IIS 5 (e.g. WinXP), only one site may be running at a time. In this case, stop the old 4.62 site and start the new CMS 5 R2 site before continuing.

6. Install and run the EPiServer Migration Tool 1.1.0.38:

7. Copy the files from the 4.62 site over to the CMS 5 R2:

  • Templates folder, language files, scripts folders, any plugins or custom properties folders
  • Filesystem (upload) will be converted and copied automatically during the migration
  • Merge differences between the 4.62 site Web.config and the CMS 5 R2 site Web.config (applicationSettings, upload path, UI path etc)

8. Handle breaking changes:

  • Rewrite any code that no longer compiles (see Breaking Changes documentation)
  • Redeploy files and retry

9. Test CMS 5 R2 site:

  • Verify that site is browseable and that admin/edit login works
  • Verify that the filesystem is intact

 

Additional references for EPiServer 4 / 5:

 

Challenges when moving from EPiServer 4 to CMS 5:

Rewriting code to handle breaking changes:

Rewriting from EPiServer ContentFramework to ASP.NET 2.0 MasterPages:

Replacing EPiFields with Dynamic Content:

Handling changes in the configuration files:

Implementing the ASP.NET 2.0 Membership/Role Provider system:

Changes to the filesystem:

 

Troubleshooting - EPiServer 4 to 5

Errors during EPiServer 4 installation/configuration:

ERROR: Cannot install files: The installation failed, and the rollback has been performed. [The name is already in use as either a service name or a service display name]
CAUSE: A newer version of the EPiServer Scheduler service is already installed on the web server. Installing EPiServer 5.x on a system where EPiServer 4.x is installed is OK, but the other way around causes problems.
SOLUTION: Go to Administrative Tools > Services > Stop and disable the "EPiServer Scheduler service".
OPTIONAL SOLUTION: 

  • Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Uninstall the EPiServer CMS 5 Scheduler service
  • Reinstall EPiServer 4.x and EPiServer 4 Shared Components
  • Run migration, then reinstall EPiServer 5.x and EPiServer 5 Shared Components

For more information see:
http://world.episerver.com/en/Blogs/Magnus-Paulsson/Dates/2009/1/Problems-installing-EPiServer-4x-with-newer-versions-of-EPiServer-and-NET-present/


ERROR:

System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: Server was unable to process request. ---> System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

  at LicenseRegistry.LicenseCreator.CreateLicense(License license)   at LicenseRegistry.DataAbstraction.License.CreateLicenseFile()
  at ProductUpdate.InstallUnit..ctor(Int32 licenseNumber, String licensedCompany) in C:\LicenseRegistry\Production\ProductUpdate\InstallUnit.cs:line 30
  at ProductUpdate.UpdateManager.AddLicense(Product prod, InstallUnit[] units) in C:\LicenseRegistry\Production\ProductUpdate\UpdateManager.asmx.cs:line 132
  at ProductUpdate.UpdateManager.RequestInstall(Product product) in C:\LicenseRegistry\Production\ProductUpdate\UpdateManager.asmx.cs:line 122

CAUSE: When installing EPiServer 4.62B using online package, there is a known problem with the licensing system (seems the installer tries to generate/validate a license even though a license file has been supplied).
SOLUTION: Use EPiServer Manager to create an offline installation package, and install from that instead (still using EPiServer Manager).

 

ERROR: System.Security.Cryptography.CryptographicException: Bad Data
CAUSE:
Web.config is encrypted, containing lines with values that could not be decrypted (was encrypted on another server - encryption is partly based on unique machine keys).
SOLUTION: Replace the values in lines containing "ENCRYPTED" with plain-text values (can be found using EPiServer Manager on the server where the web.config was originally encypted, or insert values matching the new server).

 

Errors during migration from 4.x:

ERROR: Failed to register ASP.NET client scripts on this site [The system cannot find the file specified]
Cause: Migration Tool is dependent on .NET 2.0 and is conflicted because .NET 3.0 or higher is installed on the system.
Solution: Temporarily move or rename the following folders:

  • C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.0
  • C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5
    then retry the Migration Tool.

For more information see:
http://world.episerver.com/Modules/Forum/Pages/Thread.aspx?id=17376&epslanguage=en

 


ERROR:
Cannot find Stored Procedure "dbo.aspnet_CheckSchemaVersion":
SOLUTION:
Perform the following steps:

  • Locate C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regsql.exe
  • Use the 4.62 database as command line argument and run with default settings
  • Restart SQL Server
  • "dbo.aspnet_CheckSchemaVersion" should now be found in the database

For more information see:
http://world.episerver.com/Templates/Forum/Pages/thread.aspx?id=15693

 

 


Moving from CMS 5 to CMS 6 R1

Please refer to the following documentation:

1. Download and install EPiServer CMS 6 R1

2. Obtain a valid CMS 6 license

3. Upgrade the existing CMS 5 site using Deployment Center:

  • Deployment Center > EPiServer CMS > Version 6.0.530.0 > Upgrade Site with SQL Server database  
  • From the list, select the CMS 5 site you want to upgrade
  • Click "Upgrade" to start the process
  • On completion, close Deployment Center

4. Install new CMS 6 license

5. Test the new CMS 6 site:

  • Verify that the site is browseable and that admin/edit login works
  • Verify that file system is intact

Challenges when moving from CMS 5 to CMS 6:

Handling breaking changes:

Web.config being split into multiple configuration files:

XForms being converted to the new Dynamic Data Store:

Path to admin/edit mode changed because of Online Center:

 

Additional references for EPiServer 5 / 6:

Upgrading from CMS 5 R2 to CMS 6 RC1:

Upgrading manually (without Deployment Center) from CMS 5 R2 to CMS 6 R2:

 

 


 

Moving from EPiServer 6 R1 to 6 R2

Please refer to the following documentation:

1. Download and install EPiServer CMS 6 R2

2. Obtain a valid CMS 6 R2 license

3. Upgrade the existing CMS 6 R1 site using Deployment Center:

  • Deployment Center > EPiServer CMS > Version 6.1.379.0 > Upgrade Site with SQL Server database  
  • From the list, select the CMS 6 R1 site you want to upgrade
  • Click "Upgrade" to start the process
  • On completion, close Deployment Center

4. Install new CMS 6 license

5. Test the new CMS 6 site:

  • Verify that the site is browseable and that admin/edit login works
  • Verify that file system is intact

 

Troubleshooting - EPiServer 6 R1 to 6 R2

Upgrading from CMS 6 R1 to CMS 6 R2:

Upgrading Xforms fails:

Blank page references in "Fetch-data" function:

Upgrading CMS 6 R1 sites that run .NET 4:

Things to consider when upgrading from CMS 6 R1 to CMS 6 R2:

Issues when upgrading to CMS 6 R2:

Login fails for user '':

  • http://baisaksen.net/episerver/login-failed-for-user

IE11 incompatibility issues patch:

 

See also: Migrating between EPiServer 4-5-6 is as easy as 1-2-3 (part 1), which provides an overview of the available EPiServer versions and how to plan your migration strategy.