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Templates - exporting and using

8/5/2016 1:54 AM

Dave

Joined: 6/28/2012

Posts: 76

Templates - exporting and using

Hi

Does anyone have any experience exporting a Site template

Here is my scenario

I have a DNN 7 site which I want to export and then import into a DNN 8 platform

Any custom modules (1 or 2) used in 7 are replicated in 8 (newer versions where applicable

Apart from the obvious backup site files and database before starting does anyone have any warnings / pitfalls to share

Thanks in advance

Dave

8/5/2016 4:53 AM

Aderson Oliveira

Joined: 12/28/2009

Posts: 1011

Re: Templates - exporting and using

Hi Dave,

One thing, that might be obvious, but I will remind is to have the same skin from the old site in the new site so that the content will fall into the correct panes once you get the portal template restored.

Also keep in mind that not many 3rd part modules comply with the DNN import/export process. So if you have 3rd part modules that you expect the content to be brought over, that may or may not happen.

Good luck and let us know!

Cheers,

Aderson

8/5/2016 6:53 AM

Dave

Joined: 6/28/2012

Posts: 76

Re: Templates - exporting and using

Hi Aderson

Well first impressions are good

1. Exported site with content (DNN 7.x)

2. Created new site (in this case clean DNN 8.03) following these instructions http://www.ventrian.com/blog/exporting-and-importing-dotnetnuke-portals

Only 2 issues

1. DNN 7.x site has [3rd Party] Dynamic Forms - which I have not yet / previously installed, so cannot tell if that imported. I have another DNN install that does (that's the next test)

2. Your comment about Skins in valid - initially site loaded but complained about missing skin. FTP Skin and Containers
Small issue the no-format Container is great but the rest use SolPart Menu (Kaboom!!!)

However I have purchased the latest skins from the same provider, which do not use SolPart, but the skin panes are the same. It might need some Database work but this is straight forward either using Access or SQL Server Manager. To 'find and replace' skin SRC

Good news though it worked and actually and strikes me as a good solution for upgrading from an old DNN (version) site to new DNN. Also a DNN 7 --> DNN 8 would still have the same issues with SolPart

I will post more as I continue to test :-)

Regards

Dave

8/5/2016 6:59 AM

Dave

Joined: 6/28/2012

Posts: 76

Re: Templates - exporting and using

The only bit that will prove interesting, will be creating a new parent portal with the same domain as the original

However I have a cunning plan for that. I keep a WIP domain

So create the new website with the "clone" domain name. Repoint DNS (or internal pointers with hosting company, Add a site alias my WIP Domain. Then "flip" the DNS back to the original site.

Now open the new site with the alias and the old site and import / copy the bits that did not import.

When done flip the DNS again

I'm sure that will still be quicker than manual copy

Final job - test every page :-)