I thought I would easily move my bbpress (version 2.6.13) / WordPress (version 6.8.1) installation from one server to another by copying all the files and exporting/importing the sql database file and adjusting wp-config.php.

However after moving everything over I can access the new WP installation, see all the plugins from before (all deactivated), but cannot see or import the bbPress forum.

I activated the bbPress plugin but don’t see any of my previous forum names listed.

In the WordPress Admin dashboard, I went to Tools, Import forums, put in the database settings (platform bbpress1) and clicked import, but it immediately stops on step 1.

Since most of the articles in this forum about moving servers is 10 to 15 years old. Maybe a refresh of an overview on how to do it today would be helpful. If anyone can throw in some ideas, I would appreciate it.

[@packzap Participant 3 weeks, 3 days ago]

Since the forum has been running for 10+ years the sql file is pretty huge (250 MB). And I assume the bbPress import function taxes the database server resources too highly and it balks.

I also added bb_ to the import, table prefix section with no luck. I also tried the Repair forums section without success. Sigh!

I guess i will have to try breaking up the database tables into smaller sections and try importing them individually that way. Or sadly, return to the original server.

Has anyone been able to migrate a large bbPress forum database over from one server to another?

[@robin-w Moderator 3 weeks, 3 days ago]

bbpress just uses wordpress posts and post meta tables and the wordpress use table.

So if you copy the wp-content files, mysql database, bbpress should just work ok

[@packzap Participant 3 weeks, 3 days ago]

bbpress just uses wordpress posts and post meta tables and the wordpress use table.

So if you copy the wp-content files, mysql database, bbpress should just work ok

So, does that mean I only need to copy the wp_ files and folders from the old server, not the bb_ ones? And of course, the database.sql.

[@robin-w Moderator 3 weeks, 2 days ago]

what version of bbpress are you using?

[@packzap Participant 3 weeks, 2 days ago]

I’m running the the latest: {bbPress version 2.6.13) / WordPress version 6.8.1}. I’ve been running bbPress for 10 to 15 years, starting with the 0.x versions. I notice when I look at the database in MyPHPadmin there are many tables with the prefix of bb_ and even more tables starting with wsy****_.

So just to review, when we move the bbPress/Wordpress installation from one server to another we do so in these steps?

1. Copy all web files over to new server
2. Copy the database.sql over to new server
3. Edit the first few lines of wp-config.php with the pertinent new database settings
4. Go into the Admin panel of the site and make sure the bbPress plugin is active
5. Then go to Tools, Forums, click the Import forums tab, select Platform, bbPress1 and enter the pertinent database details
6. In the table prefix section be sure to add the prefixes from your database (in my case bb_ and wsy****_, i guess entered as bb_wsy****_?)
7. Click Start, and then fold your hands together and pray the import works 😉

[@robin-w Moderator 3 weeks, 2 days ago]

thanks, I am away at the moment, with limited time, if you can wait a few days, I will be able to help further hopefully

[@packzap Participant 3 weeks, 2 days ago]

I’ll be standing by with bated breath 🙂 Thanks so much!

[@packzap Participant 3 weeks, 2 days ago]

4th post above (by user @mausham101) is spam, by the way. 🙁

[@robin-w Moderator 3 weeks ago]

ok, I’d suspect that the bb_ tables are from versions 0.x and 1.x.
In version 2.x, bbpress was migrated to a plugin under wordpress.

I presume that your bbpress forums run on the same website and nit on a sub-domain – can you confirm?

[@packzap Participant 2 weeks, 6 days ago]

Hi Robin,

The WordPress/bbPress install and all content is all on one subdomain (feedback.pdxradio.com).

It’s interesting the legacy bb_ tables are still there. I don’t want to touch (delete) them, in case they’re still being used.

[@robin-w Moderator 2 weeks, 6 days ago]

sorry to keep asking questions, but is this a total copy of the site, ie same plugins, content and same theme?

[@packzap Participant 2 weeks, 6 days ago]

I had to revert back to the original server because the new one didn’t display the forums. Yes, it was a total copy of all files, plugins, content, theme and database. Same domain name (after DNS updated), just onto a new server (host).

[@robin-w Moderator 2 weeks, 5 days ago]

ok, so I’ve now had a chance to look at your steps.

Steps 1-4 are fine.

Step 5 is causing the issue. It is not needed as you are on bbpress 2.x, and that holds the data in the posts table. The site should work at this point with no further action. By importing the bbpress1 you will be overwriting the current forums.

So do it again without stage 5 and come back at that part and let us know what is happening.

[@packzap Participant 2 weeks, 2 days ago]

Thanks Robin. I’m still working on it. This WordPress resource is very helpful, Migrating WordPress.

[@packzap Participant 2 weeks, 2 days ago]

From that document:

Moving to a New Server
If you are moving WordPress from one server to another, begin by backing up your WordPress directory, images, plugins, and other files on your site as well as the database. See WordPress Backups and Backing Up Your Database.

Keeping Your Domain Name and URLs
Moving your domain without changing the Home and Site URLs of your WordPress site is very simple, and in most cases can be done by moving the files.

If database and URL remain the same, you can move by just copying your files and database.

If database name or user changes, edit wp-config.php to have the correct values.

If you want to test before you switch, you must temporarily change “siteurl” and “home” in the database table “wp_options” (through phpMyAdmin or similar).

If you had any kind of rewrites (permalinks) setup you must disable .htaccess and reconfigure permalinks when it goes live.

[@packzap Participant 2 weeks, 1 day ago]

This migration process not for the faint of heart! I was never able to complete successfully. I did learn a few things tho.

• Pare down and disable as many plugins as possible before migrating. (especially optimize and cache ones).
• Be ready to disable the entire plugin directory in order to log into site.
• Realize that the activity of uploading files, importing a database, changing configurations, and adjusting dns, can spike shared server resources, leading to unstable and throttled-down results.
• Revel in the miracle of a nicely integrated bbPress/Wordpress install and always take time to break, inhale a deep breath, and appreciate the majesty of life

[@robin-w Moderator 2 weeks ago]

so you got there did you ?

[@packzap Participant 2 weeks ago]

No, I did not get migrated over to a new server. In addition to the above problems, during the process I began discovering several issues with the new web host that discourage a long-term relationship with them. 😥

So, back to my comfy, more expensive, safe-and-sound original host.

Thanks Robin for your help and interest!

[@robin-w Moderator 1 week, 6 days ago]

🙂