Deployment Disaste

NickTUK · January 2nd, 2010, 10:29 PM

Well, I've spent my whole 2 weeks christmas holiday working on my web site. When I sit back, think the hard work is done and set about deploying it, everything just goes totally wrong.

1.When I copy my web site to another folder on my local machine and run it the CSS files in the themes aren't being applied correctly.

2.When I set the web site as the default web site in IIS it can't find the databases. I've tested the connection strings and even tried allowing the user groups 'EVERYONE' permission to the root folder containing the web site.

3. So I decide to upload to the ftp site of my host: my package doesn't support MSSQL databases. So i need to upgrade.

The problem is that for 5 databases I need to choose the top package. A bit extreme when my site has 5 super small databases and a total storage capacity of 13mb.

So now I am left wondering how I can convert my small databases into one database and choose a lesser hosting package.

It's been a total disaster. Anyone who can help would be my saviour. Thanks

Imar · January 3rd, 2010, 06:56 AM

Hi there,

Are you sure your paths are all setup correctly? Maybe during development you visited the site at http://localhost:1234/WebSite1 and now at your host you use http://www.domainname.com? If that's the case, use application relative paths, or remove the application name from the paths.

For your databases, search for and use the Database Publishing Wizard: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...+publi&aqi=g10

Both topics are discussed in my book Beginning ASP.NET 3.5 in C# and VB so maybe that's worth checking out for you....

Cheers,

Imar

NickTUK · January 3rd, 2010, 09:32 AM

Hi Imar,

It's a pleasure to be in conversation! I have indeed got your book and think it is fantastic.

I tried all the tips in your book and hence resorted to this forum as you suggested.

The IIS problem is one I can ignore for now. The main issue is with the databases.

Because my site is <20gb, I would have to get an expensive hosting package that was far beyond what I need because I have 6 small databases. I need to convert these into one so it can be used with my hosting package.

Maybe in your next beginner you can mention about keeping one main database with all tables. Only a minor point, but I wish I knew when designing the site.

Thanks again. And also again: great book! If you did a professional ASP.NET book, it would have been my next purchase.

NickTUK · January 3rd, 2010, 09:45 AM

Hi Imar,

Please can you comment on this:

I used database explorer's publish option to generate a script for one of my databases and ran it in the SQL server management studio. It worked out ok but I don't know where it saved the database.

If I can successfully run the scripts for all my databases, and then use a query to merge them all, would I be able to bring it back into VWD and amend all my references to the old databases?

Cheers

Nick

Imar · January 3rd, 2010, 10:51 AM

Hi Nick,

You need to take the SQL script from your extra databases and run them *against* your primary database. Before you do so, you may need to remove the CREATE DATABASE and USE YourDatabaseName items if they are there. This way, the content (tables, data and more) are scripted from one database and then added to another. Then you'll need to update your connection strings to point them to the same database (or merge them into a single connection string).

To execute these scripts, use the SQL Server Management Studio, attach your primary database and run the other scripts against that database.

Does this help?

Imar

NickTUK · January 3rd, 2010, 11:43 AM

Does this help, you say? Yesssssssssssssss.

I also have to apologise:

1. I didn't actually read appendix B until an hour ago

2. You do actually mention that hosts charge additional costs for each database.

Finally, I'm going to go live. There's actually a review of your book on the site. And I recommend it!

Thanks

Imar · January 3rd, 2010, 05:47 PM

Great; glad it's working and thanks for the follow up.

Is there a place where I can see the site?

Imar

NickTUK · January 4th, 2010, 08:00 AM

The site is going to be www.NTCoding.com (& .co.uk).

At the moment I am having problems using the scripts generate in VWD at my hosts database web manager. There are a huge list of errors and the tables are not re-created.

I have sent them an email so hopefully today or tomorrow it will be rectified and the site online.

The colours and CSS wont really set the world alight, but I've brought a book about CSS and that is my next objective for the site: to make it look more stylish.

Feel free to let me know if you have any healthy recipes you would like added to the menu (once the site is up).

And finally, I promise all those positive comments I said about you and your book were made well before you engage with me in this thread.

Nick

NickTUK · January 5th, 2010, 01:37 PM

My host have said they won't allow scripts. All I have been able to do is recreate each table on their server. How am I supposed to transfer all of the values in my local database to the tables I have created on the server.

Have I picked a pathetic host? I chose daily.co.uk.

Imar · January 5th, 2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Have I picked a pathetic host? I chose daily.co.uk.

Hard to tell as I don't know what services they offer and at what quality. Not allowing scripts is not uncommon.

How were you able to create the tables? Did you use Management Studio? If so, you can use it to transfer data as well.

Imar