Vault Server upgrade question

[Don Thimsen]

I recently downloaded Vault 5.0 and was getting ready to install, but took a look at the system requirments. We're long-time vault users, and our Win2K Server/MS SQL 2000 is now too old. Time to upgrade.

Since the vault server is also ancient, I think it would be advisable to build an alternate Vault server and just transfer the repository. The current plan is to build a new server using Windows server 2008 std edition and install MS SQL 2005.

The old server (Vault server is version 4.1.4.18402) has our production repository in MS SQL 2000. In the near future, and the new server be running the latest vault server code with an "empy" repository in MS SQL 2005.

I guess the first question is whether a backup of a 4.1.4 repository running on MS SQL 2000 can be restored to a 5.0.1 repository running on MS SQL 2005?

Can you point me to an aritcle on moving the repository between Vault/MS SQL releases?

Thanks,
Don

[Don Thimsen]

BTW, is there a real need to upgrade to MS SQL 2005/2008? I just checked what it would cost (11 CAL Licenses), and I think we could easily stay with MS SQL 2000 if that will remain a viable option for sourcegear support.

Also, I think we got the original MS SQL 2000 software from sourcegear when we purchased Vault. Do you still offer deals on SQL server upgrades?

Thanks,
Don

[Beth]

We don't sell SQL. I don't we did in the past either, but I'll double check on that.

The key as to what you can do here is what will work with the 3.5 .NET framework. SQL 2000 I think will work with it, but Windows 2000 server will not.

Your SQL server can stay on the Windows 2000 server if you want. Vault needs to be on Windows 2003 or higher. You could just install Vault 5.0.1 on a Windows 2003 server, and during the install, point it to your old SQL server, and it will take over the database and upgrade it to a Vault 5 database. Or, you could upgrade Windows 2000 server to Windows 2003, and then install Vault 5.0.1, which will upgrade your installation.

[Don Thimsen]

Hi Beth,

When we purchased Vault 2.0, I believe the MS SQL 2000 CD was in the packaging right next to the Vault CD.

Our company is about to standardize on Win Server 2008, and it looks like MS SQL 2000 can't be used on this OS. So, we'll probably upgrade to SQL 2005 for now.

What's the process for transferring the vault tables between releases? Just backup the tables from the old system, and restore them on the new system?

Thanks,
Don

[Beth]

All you need is a regular database backup. Then you can restore it to SQL 2005. SQL 2005 will take the backup and convert the database to a SQL 2005 database.

Once the restore is complete, you can install Vault and specify where the database is. Vault will then pick up the restored database and use it.

[Beth]

It looks like we used to offer SQL CALs back with Vault 2.0, but we haven't for a long time. You'll need to contact Microsoft or a SQL reseller. Sorry for the inconvenience.