Migrating SQL databases

Please note that this section relates only to a side by side migration upgrade method.

Before upgrading, we recommend migrating the SQL databases, CCMdata and CCMStatisticalData, to the new server. By doing so, the installation configuration wizard will update the database schema when the new software version is installed.

Migrating the SQL databases enables you to preserve your previous reporting data. If you do not migrate the SQL databases, a new database will be created to which you can copy over the raw data, restore the database from the backup files, and, then, re-summarize the data. However, the data you will be re-summarizing will be for the current configuration so the reporting data may not match that of your previous system.

The two most common methods for migrating SQL databases are:

• Dropping the database files from the SQL instance and making a physical copy of the .mdf and .ldf files
• Using SQL Server Management tools to generate backup files or scripts

See the applicable Microsoft documentation for more information on migrating SQL databases.

To migrate SQL databases

1. Copy the SQL database .mdf and .ldf files or use MS SQL Server Management tools to make backup files or scripts.
2. Provision a new SQL server or new instance of SQL server.
3. Restore the SQL databases to the new SQL server or instance of SQL server.