WikiIndex:Recipe for server moves: Difference between revisions

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== About the Move ==
'''WikiIndex: Recipe for server moves''' — this meta page here on {{tag|WikiIndex}} was originally created to document the procedure of the [[WikiIndex:Server move 2014]].  It may also be useful for any future [[:Category:Server|server]] moves for [[WikiIndex]], or indeed any other [[WhatIsWiki|wiki site]].
{{TOC right}}
==About the move==
There should be few (if any) visible differences to WikiIndex once the move is complete.  It is simply moving from one [[:Category:Web hosting|hosting]] platform to another.  Here are some good steps to follow during the move.


There should be few (if any) visible differences for WikiIndex.org once the move is complete.  It is simply moving from one hosting platform to another.  Here are the steps I, [[User:BrandonCsSanders|BrandonCsSanders]] ([[User talk:BrandonCsSanders|talk]], plan to follow during the move.
===Prior to the move===
Note: The only thing that will be changed on the current [[:Category:Server|server]] before, during, and after the move is to set it the wiki site [[:Category:Read-only|read-only]], and add a [[MediaWiki:Sitenotice]] banner during the move itself.  Not mucking with the server preserves a working server that we can fail back to if something unforeseen happens.


=== Prior to the move ===
# Make a complete [[:Category:Wiki database backup|backup]] of the wiki. (as of November 14, 2014 ... gzipped up without the cache the backup is 517Mb).
Note: The only thing that will be changed on the current server before, during, and after the move is to set it to read-only and add a banner during the move itself.  Not mucking with the server preserves a working server that we can fail back to if something unforeseen happens.
# Restore the backup at another temporary domain on the new server.
 
# Upgrade [[:Category:MediaWiki|MediaWiki]] to the most recent version (also upgrade the [[MediaWiki extension|extensions]]) on the temporary domain.
# A complete backup of the wiki will be made (done as of November 14, 2014 ... gzipped up without the cache the backup is 517Mb)
# Once everything is fixed and tested by the person doing the move, invite the regular [[User|contributors]] to come poke around on the temporary domain to make sure everything looks right and is working.
# The backup of WikiIndex will be restored at another temporary domain.
#* Use /etc/hosts to pretend like the the move is already complete and the domain points to the new server so we can test the virtual host configuration as well.
# MediaWiki will be upgraded to the most recent version (as will the extensions) on the temporary domain.
# Once I've fixed and tested everything I can think of I'll invite the WikiIndex regulars to come poke around on the temporary domain to make sure everything looks right and is working.
# Once given the thumbs up from the community the actual move will begin.
# Once given the thumbs up from the community the actual move will begin.


=== The actual move ===
===The actual move===
# WikiIndex.org will be switched into read-only mode to ensure that the database is in a consistent state and that no accounts or edits are created (and subsequently lost) during the move.
# Switch the current WikiIndex [[wiki]] site into [[:Category:Read-only|read-only]] mode; to ensure that the [[:Category:Database|database]] is in a consistent state, and that no [[:Category:WikiIndex account|accounts]] or [[edit]]s are created (and subsequently lost) during the move.
# A site message banner will be added to the top of the site on every page that indicates the move is in progress.
# Add a [[MediaWiki:Sitenotice|site message]] banner to the top of the wiki site on every page that indicates the move is in progress.
# A new complete dump of the database and images will be made. That means a new backup will be created which contains all changes to wiki until that point in time.
# Make a new complete dump of the database and [[:Category:Images|images]]. That means a new [[:Category:Wiki database backup|backup]] will be created which contains all changes to wiki until that point in time.
# That dump will be restored at the temporary domain.
# Restore the fresh dump at the temporary domain.
# The database will be upgraded to the most recent schema.
# Upgrade the database to the most recent schema.
# The DNS for wikiindex.org will be pointed to the new server's IP address.
# Switch DNS to the new new server's [[IP address]].
# As the DNS propagates visitors will start to go to the new server.
# As DNS propagates visitors will start to go to the new [[:Category:Server|server]].
# For most people the DNS will propagate within a couple of hours and within 24hrs it will have propagated for everyone.
# For most people DNS will propagate within a couple of hours, and within 24 hours it will have propagated for everyone.
# The new server is not in read-only mode and does not have the banner on it telling about the move.
# The new server is not in read-only mode, and does not have the site banner on it telling about the move.


I expect the move to take 1-2 hours, with the site in read-only mode and displaying the banner for most visitors for 2-3 hours.
A move with a significant database upgrade will take around 1 hour, with the site in read-only mode and displaying the banner for most visitors for 2-3 hours.  Getting a good result is prioritized over keep the read-only period short.


:I think a period of 24 hours is perfectly acceptable. Priority should lay on optimal result, not on shortest time of move. [[User:Manorainjan|Manorainjan]] ([[User talk:Manorainjan|talk]])
===Burn-in===
# Once DNS has propagated, you will see the wiki site looking and acting like it did before (no longer read-only, no longer having a site banner).
# Use it just like you normally would, and report any issues to the person moving the site on their [[talk page]].
# Once we feel good that all is as it should be, the original [[:Category:Server|server]] will be decommissioned.  Until that time, it is available as a failsafe backup server that we can revert to (unlikely that we'll need to do that).


=== Burn-in ===
===Post move===
# Once DNS has propagated for you you will see WikiIndex.org looking and acting like it did before (no longer read-only, no longer having a banner).
# Are automated [[:Category:Wiki database backup|backups]] working?
# Use it just like you normally would and report any issues to me, [[User:BrandonCsSanders|BrandonCsSanders]] ([[User talk:BrandonCsSanders|talk]].
# Once we feel good that all is as it should be the original server will be decommissioned.  Until that time it is available as a failsafe backup server that we can revert to (unlikely that we'll need to do that).


=== Post move ===
[[Category:Admin]]
# If the community wants to switch canonical domains from wikiindex.org to index.wiki that can be arranged.
# On the new platform backups of all wikis are made every hour and the last 12 hours of backups are retained on the server itself.  Every 24hrs a backup of the wiki is uploaded to s3 (an offsite backup) and these backups are slowly pruned over time in a manner similar to how Apple's Time Machine works.
# Who will do an update on http://www.aboutus.org/WikiIndex.org? Or create the entry about <s>[[create.wiki]]</s>? (Update: redirect to [[Wiki.Wiki]])

Latest revision as of 20:23, 7 July 2024

WikiIndex: Recipe for server moves — this meta page here on WikiIndex was originally created to document the procedure of the WikiIndex:Server move 2014. It may also be useful for any future server moves for WikiIndex, or indeed any other wiki site.

About the move[edit]

There should be few (if any) visible differences to WikiIndex once the move is complete. It is simply moving from one hosting platform to another. Here are some good steps to follow during the move.

Prior to the move[edit]

Note: The only thing that will be changed on the current server before, during, and after the move is to set it the wiki site read-only, and add a MediaWiki:Sitenotice banner during the move itself. Not mucking with the server preserves a working server that we can fail back to if something unforeseen happens.

  1. Make a complete backup of the wiki. (as of November 14, 2014 ... gzipped up without the cache the backup is 517Mb).
  2. Restore the backup at another temporary domain on the new server.
  3. Upgrade MediaWiki to the most recent version (also upgrade the extensions) on the temporary domain.
  4. Once everything is fixed and tested by the person doing the move, invite the regular contributors to come poke around on the temporary domain to make sure everything looks right and is working.
    • Use /etc/hosts to pretend like the the move is already complete and the domain points to the new server so we can test the virtual host configuration as well.
  5. Once given the thumbs up from the community the actual move will begin.

The actual move[edit]

  1. Switch the current WikiIndex wiki site into read-only mode; to ensure that the database is in a consistent state, and that no accounts or edits are created (and subsequently lost) during the move.
  2. Add a site message banner to the top of the wiki site on every page that indicates the move is in progress.
  3. Make a new complete dump of the database and images. That means a new backup will be created which contains all changes to wiki until that point in time.
  4. Restore the fresh dump at the temporary domain.
  5. Upgrade the database to the most recent schema.
  6. Switch DNS to the new new server's IP address.
  7. As DNS propagates visitors will start to go to the new server.
  8. For most people DNS will propagate within a couple of hours, and within 24 hours it will have propagated for everyone.
  9. The new server is not in read-only mode, and does not have the site banner on it telling about the move.

A move with a significant database upgrade will take around 1 hour, with the site in read-only mode and displaying the banner for most visitors for 2-3 hours. Getting a good result is prioritized over keep the read-only period short.

Burn-in[edit]

  1. Once DNS has propagated, you will see the wiki site looking and acting like it did before (no longer read-only, no longer having a site banner).
  2. Use it just like you normally would, and report any issues to the person moving the site on their talk page.
  3. Once we feel good that all is as it should be, the original server will be decommissioned. Until that time, it is available as a failsafe backup server that we can revert to (unlikely that we'll need to do that).

Post move[edit]

  1. Are automated backups working?
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