XF 1.5 to 2 Upgrade experiences

[Mark Wilkin]

Hi with the recent news we're looking at upgrading our Xenforo 1.5 site to 2.0 and I was wondering if anyone had any stories about their upgrade? Pitfalls, things you weren't expecting, step you're glad you took and that sort of thing?

Thanks

 

[haqzore]

Went smooth.
No regrets.
Better all around.

Always, always, always backup first. Zero exceptions regardless of software.

I upgraded with zero addons installed. ~15k post forum.

 

[Triops]

Testing upgrade all the way up to 2.1 RC1 with all 1.5 addons still running, 750k posts, 100k images in the gallery and it worked perfectly.

Only thing: I assume upgrade is not migrating deleted posts and images?!

Edited to remove possible own error.

 

[Chris D]

Only thing: I assume upgrade is not migrating deleted posts and images?!

Absolutely not.

People keep using the word "migration". It's nothing of the sort. The code might be entirely different but the data structure is largely the same. 1.5 to 2.x is essentially a normal upgrade. There are some schema changes but on the whole your original 1.5 data does not move and is entirely in the same place and format in 2.0.

You will need to post on the forum or submit a ticket so we can have a closer look though.

 

[Triops]

Thank you Chris D

The upgrade test was just a local test on XAMPP.
So currently I am not quite sure, if this is a mixture of not having caches rebuilt and different ~ numbers in the databases. At the moment I assume the upgrade was just perfectly fine and I mixed some numbers compared to the live statistics. Will check this.

 

[Threadloom]

Highly recommend taking a backup of the entire site, and database. Keep it somewhere that is easily accessible just in case.

Then ensure all of your addons are compatible. Ones that have data in them, make sure they have a clear path for upgrade.
I've been working with Bob on an issue I have for a site I upgraded that used his Articles addon.

Even for Threadloom's offerings right now, we require users to contact us so we can switch the version for their site.

Don't rush, be sure to leave plenty of time. With the few that I've upgraded, I ensured I had a style ready, and any ad tags I might have needed.
As with any project, preparation is key.

 

[Triops]

The backup for the final update is mandatory, yes.

But it is also very important to test the update several times. Not because of Xenforo, but because of the addons. I already have 2 addons with a lot of data, whose importer does not work properly and aborts.
During these tests I also found out that an addon only imports cleanly into xf2.0, but not into 2.1 and the author does not intend to write an importer for 2.1.
In short: test locally with all planned addons, not just plan.

Ps: My assumption that in Xenforo and the Gallery posts get lost during the update seems wrong. Everything looks very good, thanks!

 

[Dan18]

I already have 2 addons with a lot of data, whose importer does not work properly and aborts.
During these tests I also found out that an addon only imports cleanly into xf2.0, but not into 2.1 and the author does not intend to write an importer for 2.1.

What addons?

 

[Triops]

XenAtendo and Link Directory. Last one works for 2.0.12,but not for 2.1. Both addons aborted, so if this would have happened with the one and only live-update.. ..

 

[eva2000]

Highly recommend taking a backup of the entire site, and database. Keep it somewhere that is easily accessible just in case.

My method is similar though it's what I have done since vBulletin v1.0 days. That is always upgrade on the copy of your live forum date files/database and leave the live forum data files/database untouched

 

[haqzore]

This thread resurfaces my fears of 3rd party addons.

XF's 3rd party developmer/developments are more numerous than IPS, but I never have to worry about any addons being abandoned.

I really wish XF would build more 1st party addons.

 

[Steve]

I never have to worry about any addons being abandoned.

Why is that?

 

[haqzore]

Why is that?

Sorry, should've clarified "1st party"