WebTrends - Moving to new server

Anyone have experience moving WebTrends Analytics 8 to a new server?

[lilydale]

I am running WebTrends Analytics 8.0d. I have to move it to a new server and want to keep all my data, profiles, settings etc... intact.

I have talked with three different people at WebTrends Support and have gotten three different answers on how to best do this. One said to use the transfer wizard; another said to NOT use the transfer wizard due to known issues with it and instead to replace some folders manually; and the third was mentioned today so I haven't thoroughly absorbed it yet, but it appears to involve something in the command line and then going into the database to make changes.

Additionally, my Network administrator has partitioned the drives differently so I will have to account for that in the changes (data sources etc...)

Finally, everything was previously on one machine (logs, database etc...) but my Network Admin is saying he'd like me to put the database on another server.

Anyone have any experience moving the installation? If so, how did you do it (any of the above three methods, or something else)? Anyone have experience not only moving the installation, but making significant changes at the same time?

[cgrantski]

It would be far better if you went back to WebTrends and asked to have your case escalated and explained to them that you are getting different answers. You can easily move your configurations to another machine (I've done it quite a few times) but if you want your analyzed data to move as well, you need to do it carefully and they should have a workaround by now for any "known issues" with the data transfer utility.

Also, much as I love webmasterworld, I would recommend that you also visit forums.webtrends.com which is a more likely place for finding people who have done what you are trying to do.

[lilydale]

Thanks, cgrantski, I will check out the WebTrends forums. I did get another guy on the phone and there is an elaborate "workaround" involving me going into the database and running commands. I've never touched anything like that before. The document he gave me says "internal document only" so it must be something not officially released.

By the way, my network administrator now wants me to change the database to Microsoft SQL instead of the MySQL that comes with the product. He thinks the MySQL is limited and will not be good for the long haul. WebTrends says that is not true and that it is not more limited than the Microsoft. Any thoughts on that argument?

[cgrantski]

I know nothing about databases either but have followed their instructions regarding running commands with no problems. Don't hesitate to do it, just be careful about following the instructions exactly.

I would definitely stick with MySQL. WebTrends supports it and optimizes their product around it. It's perfectly appropriate for what it does. Also, WebTrends tech support will NOT be able to help you if there are database problems and you're using SQL Server.

[lilydale]

I did sign up for the WebTrends forums so I'll look around in there now. I should have figured there would be a forum there but didn't think of it. So thanks for the advice!

By the way, I just found out today on the phone with WT support that the MySQL only stores configurations and that the analysis data is stored in another proprietary database. I let my network admin know this info. Now we can drop that idea of switching to SQL Server, thankfully!

This WT support guy said I should definitely use the transfer wizard and then only IF there is a problem will I have to do all the manual moving. He said that with 8.0d (what I have now) there are not the problems of previous versions and it should work. Now, I just have to determine if the different setup of partitions on this new machine will be a problem.

[cgrantski]

If you are moving the program from one drive letter to another, there could be issues worth asking them (WT tech) about. Most of the storage locations are very easy to re-specify, there's one screen for it. But changing the location of the main module might be iffy. I've found that permissions, privileges and locations are the main thing that goes wrong, if anything does go wrong. Those can be corrected, but it's a pain.

[lilydale]

What version were you on? I heard from the latest tech guy that 8.0D does not have the problems that others had. He also did say that the Storage drives changing should be okay, but if the installation drive changes, there can be big problems. This seems to go in line with what you're saying.

In my case, I currently have a C and a D, and everything WebTrends including my log files, docs etc... is on D. C is just for Windows and whatever.

The new server will have 3 drives. C for Windows and whatever, D for the WebTrends Installation only, and E for Storage folder, processes, databases etc... all the stuff that blows up real large.

Please let me know if anything sounds like trouble here with regards to that transfer wizard.

[cgrantski]

That sounds like it will be easy. If you look in your current installation, under Administration >> System >> Storage Locations, you'll see the items whose location can easily be changed through this screen. Should work great since you're not changing the location of the core module.