Migrating replicated database to new Windows 2003 server

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From: Jim Clark (quilts4u_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 12/07/04 

Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 13:15:41 -0800

Hi all,

I have inherited a replicated database using Internet Synchronization and
anonymous replicas that will be migrated to a new Windows 2003 server. I
have configured the new Windows 2003 server and tested that synchronization
works fine so no problems there. However, now comes the thornier questions
regarding how to best migrate the existing database without breaking the
existing replicas and forcing users to get a new replica to carry forward.

First off regards security - the previous admin combined the scripts and
dropbox folders so mstrai40.exe is in dropbox. Very bad for various reasons
and is it possible to split these without breaking the existing replicas
(ie. update the field value in MSysTranspAddress::HttpScriptsFolder to show
'SCRIPTS' instead of 'Dropbox')? I would prefer to fix this right now on the
NT4 server before any migration occurs.

Secondly, how can I get Replication Manager's 'move replica' command to work
between machines that can't see each other? In other words, the old NT4 web
server at ISP1 can't see the new Win2K3 server at ISP2 so in Replication
Manager, I can't browse to new machine to place the replica. Do I need to
figure out how to set up a VPN between the two machines to accomplish this?
Any other ideas on how to keep the replica ID constant between moves?

Thirdly, this is more of a wish than a requirement and concerns the Internet
synchronization address. Multiple organizations use this shared web server -
each with their own database, web site, domain name and IP address. However,
for organization 2 and organization 3, they have to sync to organization 1's
domain name address since Replication Manager can only be configured for one
domain name. Can I update the field in MSYSTranspAddress::InternetAddress so
each organization can sync to its own IP address? I have no problems setting
up additional virtual directories for the scripts and dropbox folders
(pointing of course to the same physical location) so are there any other
reasons this may not be possible?

Thanks in advance for any help with these questions.

-Jim

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