This document provides an agenda and overview for a presentation on migrating databases and farm configurations using PowerShell. It discusses common scenarios for migration like backing up and restoring data between environments. It also demonstrates approaches using SQL Server Management Studio, PowerShell cmdlets, and third-party tools. The presentation includes demonstrations of backing up and restoring SQL databases, exporting and importing farm configurations, and considerations for migrations. It covers topics like restoring content databases, moving service application configurations, and potential issues to watch out for.

1. Migrating Databases and
Farm Configuration using
PowerShell
Anthony Obi
SQLSaturday #411 / SPSaturday Cambridge
12th September 2015

2.  Common Scenarios
 Common Approaches
 Power Shell Demos:
 Backup / Restore SQL Databases
 Export / Import Configuration
 Considerations / Gotcha’s
Agenda

3. Demo Environment
• SharePoint Server 2013 SP1 (+May 2015 CU)
• Single Web Application (+MySites Web App)
• Single Site Collection (+MySites)
• Managed Metadata Service Application
• User Profile Service Application
• SQL Server 2014 + SP1
• x2 SQL Instances
x2 SharePoint Servers
SQL2014
SP2013Srv1 SP2013Srv2

4.  Common Requirements:
 Backup -> Restore Data
 Export -> Import Configuration
 Synchronise Content and Configuration Between
Dev / Staging / Production SharePoint Farms
 SharePoint Farm Rebuilds:
 Domain Moves/Migrations
 SQL Infrastructure Moves/Upgrades
 Disaster Recovery (…possible option)
Common Scenarios

5.  SQL
 SQL Management Studio, SQL Agent Jobs
 PowerShell
 SQL Cmdlets, SharePoint Cmdlets (covered in demos)
 SharePoint
 Central Administration
 3rd Party - Various available…
Common Approaches

6. Demo 01
Content Database
‘SQL Backup and Restore’
PowerShell Example

7. Demo 02
Content Database
SharePoint Aware ‘SQL Restore’
PowerShell Example

8.  1. Run PowerShell from SQL Server:
 Requires ‘Remote PowerShell’ calls to SharePoint Server
 ‘Remote PowerShell Access & Permissions’ must be Pre-Configured
http://blogs.technet.com/b/anneste/archive/2014/09/17/how-to-enable-remote-
powershell-for-sharepoint-2013-for-non-administrators.aspx
 2. Run PowerShell from SharePoint Server:
 Requires ‘SQL Server Management Objects (SMO)’ installed on SharePoint
Server
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh248032%28v=sql.120%29.aspx
 Any ‘FilePath Parameters’ are local to SQL Server (NOT SharePoint Server)
Approach Options

9. Post Restore Tasks
 Security: Move-SPUser Cmdlet
 Changed Domain Names
 Changed Account Names (User accounts, NOT Service Accounts)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff607729%28v=office.15%29.aspx
 3rd Party Solutions
 Ensure Custom Solutions / Features Deployed (.wsp/ .app)
 SharePoint Infrastructure
 Managed Metadata – Site Navigation, Available Term Sets etc
 User Profile Service – Recreate Service Application(s), Connections etc.
 Search – Update Topology, Content Sources, Crawls etc

10. Managed Metadata Service Database
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Cc263199.aspx#databases

11. Demo 03
SharePoint Service Application
Configuration Export / Import
PowerShell Example

12. Import Gotcha’s
(Issue 1)
If the commands fails with the following
error message
“You do not have permission to use the
bulk load statement”
The Service Application Service Account
requires the ‘BULK ADMIN’ SQL Role

13. Import Gotcha’s
(Issue 2)
If the commands fails with the following error message
“Cannot bulk load because the file "<FilePath><GUID>ECMGroup.dat” could not
be opened”
Store the Exported ‘.cab’ file on a Network Share.
When SQL and SharePoint are on different servers, the
‘Import-SPMetadataWebServicePartitionData’ PowerShell command needs to
perform tasks on both the SP server *and* the SQL server, so both servers need
access to the Export file.

14. User Profile Service Application
Databases
 1. Profile Database:
Used to store user profile information.
 2. Synchronization Database:
Used to store configuration and staging information for synchronizing profile data
from external sources such as the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).
 3. Social Database:
Used to store social tags and notes created by users. Each social tag and note is
associated with a profile ID.
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Ee662538.aspx

15. User Profile Service Application
Databases
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Cc263199.aspx#databases

16. Demo 04
Complex Service Application
Configuration Export / Import
PowerShell Example

17.  Security / Service Accounts
 Matching Domains
 Matching Accounts (SIDs not UsernamePassword)
 SharePoint Infrastructure
 Matching SharePoint Versions - Service Pack/Patch Levels
 Matching Service Applications
 Matching Web Applications / IIS Configurations
 Farm Infrastructure
 Compatible SQL Versions - Service Pack/Patch Levels
 Matching Server Names, Roles etc.
(use ‘SQL Aliases’ to perform SQL Server moves/upgrades)
 3rd Party Solutions
SQL Restore Considerations / Gotcha’s
(Part 1)

18. SQL Restore Considerations / Gotcha’s
(Part 2)
SP Configuration
Database
Service Application
Databases
(Various limitations: Search, UPS,
State, Word Automation, Usage)
Service Application
Databases
(Various limitations: Search, UPS,
State, Word Automation, Usage)
SP Content Databases SP Content Databases SP Content Databases
100% Infrastructure Match
(virtualised, scripted install)
Security Match
SP Infrastructure Match
Matching SharePoint Versions
- Service Pack/Patch Levels

19. About Me
 Independent SharePoint Consultant
Obilogic Ltd
 Working with SharePoint since Portal Server 2001
(10 years+)
 MCITP / MCTS SharePoint 2010
 Blog: http://community.obilogic.co.uk
 Twitter: @obilogic
 Email: aobi@obilogic.co.uk

21. Stick around for SWAG! (Prize drawing at 5.00 p.m)
 All our volunteers and organisers do not get paid for running SPS
SQLSaturday Cambridge and do it because they believe in the power of
community (or are just plain nuts).
Please show your gratitude for making this possible by:
 Giving them a hug
 Shaking their hand
 Saying thank you
 Coming back next year
 Consider getting your company to pay for a precon next year
 Spreading the word
 Getting involved yourself
 But most of all, by enjoying the day!
 Don’t forget to thank the sponsors for their support
 Thank the speakers for donating their time, energy and expenses

22. Stick around for SWAG! (Prize drawing at 5.00 p.m)
SQLCloud — XBox One!!! (make sure you know how to play the Jet Set Willy vendor competition!)
SQLCloud—Dark Side Of The Moon, The Wall and Wish You Were Here
Microsoft — MCP Voucher
Data Idols — Supercar Driving Experience
Profisee — Signed MDS Book and £50 Amazon Voucher
SQLSentry — Plan Explorer PRO License
Pyramid Analytics—Coffee Machine
Effektor — Lego Big Ben
Rencore — SPCAF Professional License (valued at $2099!)
Axioworks — Amazon Fire TV and £75 Amazon Voucher
DELL — Beats by Dr Dre Headphones
Redgate — DLM Workshop
Pluralsight — Annual Plus subscriptions
All Your Base Conference — 3 x Conference Tickets
VisualSP—Annual training subscription
Loads of books and much much more!!!

23. Thanks For Listening…