The SharePoint world is rapidly moving into the Cloud with SharePoint Online and Office 365, but some organizations are still not ready to move completely to Office 365 and SharePoint Online.
In this post I'll share upgrading a SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2019 using the database attach approach but is also valid if you want to upgrade to SharePoint 2016. I will only migrate the content database(s) from the source SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2019 and all other SharePoint databases are created in the target SharePoint 2019 farm during its installation process.
There is another valid migration approach to migrate from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2019 by using a content migration. In this approach, the upgrade is not based in a database upgrade process but on content migration and typically a 3rd party solution is necessary to do the content migration. A few 3rd party solutions that can do the job are ShareGate, AvePoint and Metalogix.
Upgrading a SharePoint farm using the database attach approach can be a complex task and the upgrade process is composed by a series of steps:
- Migrating Custom Developed Solutions from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2019
- Upgrade to a temporary SharePoint 2016 farm
- Upgrade to the target SharePoint 2019 farm
Understanding the Database Attach Approach: The database attach method involves migrating content and configuration settings by attaching databases from the source SharePoint environment to the target environment. This approach offers a seamless transition while preserving existing content, configurations, and customizations.
Preparing for Migration: Before initiating the migration process, thorough planning and preparation are essential. Here are the key steps to ensure a successful migration:
Assessment and Inventory: Evaluate existing SharePoint 2013 environment to identify customizations and dependencies that need to be addressed during migration.
Infrastructure Readiness: Ensure that target environment meets the hardware and software requirements for SharePoint 2019 Enterprise, including compatibility with Windows Server 2022.
Backup: Take a full backup of your SharePoint 2013 databases, configuration settings, and customizations to safeguard against any unforeseen issues during migration.
Prerequisites Installation: Install and configure the necessary prerequisites for SharePoint 2019 Enterprise on the target server, including .NET Framework, SQL Server, and other components.
Migration Steps: Once completed the preparatory tasks, follow these steps to migrate from SharePoint 2013 Foundation to SharePoint 2019 Enterprise using the database attach approach:
Detach Databases: Detach the content and configuration databases from SharePoint 2013 environment using SQL Server Management Studio or PowerShell.
Install SharePoint 2019: Install SharePoint 2019 Enterprise on the target server using the desired configuration and topology.
Attach Databases: Attach the detached databases from SharePoint 2013 to the corresponding SQL Server instance in the SharePoint 2019 environment.
Upgrade Databases: Use the SharePoint 2019 Management Shell to upgrade the attached databases to the latest schema version.
Test and Validate: Perform thorough testing to ensure that all content, configurations, and customizations have been successfully migrated. Validate user access, permissions, and functionality to identify any post-migration issues.
Finalize Configuration: Once testing is complete and any issues have been resolved, finalize the configuration of SharePoint 2019 environment, including user profiles, search settings, and service applications.
Post-Migration Tasks: After completing the migration process, don't forget to address the following post-migration tasks:
User Training and Support: Provide training and support to users to familiarize them with the new features and capabilities of SharePoint 2019 Enterprise.
Monitoring and Optimization: Monitor the performance and usage of your SharePoint environment and implement optimization measures as needed to ensure optimal performance.
Backup and Disaster Recovery: Set up regular backups and implement a robust disaster recovery plan to protect your SharePoint data and ensure business continuity.
Conclusion: Migrating from SharePoint 2013 Foundation to SharePoint 2019 Enterprise using the database attach approach offers a streamlined path to modernizing collaboration platform. By following the steps outlined in this article and leveraging the latest features and enhancements of SharePoint 2019, can enhance productivity, improve collaboration, and future-proof organization's content management infrastructure. Embrace the opportunity to unlock new possibilities with SharePoint 2019 Enterprise and propel business towards greater success.
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