Move PM8 databases to a new server.
PM8: All versions
When the current PM8 server being decommissioned and replaced by another server, specific steps must be followed to moved from the old server to the new server.
Directly copying the database files while in use is dangerous because the database engine could write data during the copy process. If this happens, the copy will likely be corrupted.
Not following this procedure risks corrupting the databases.
Ensure that all users are logged out of PM8 and do not use PM8 for the duration of this process.
The product activation must be removed from the old server to make it available for reactivation on the new server.
Refer to Product deactivation to move to a new server for information on this process.
Prior to copying the databases from the old server, we will rename them.
This serves two purposes.
Locate the 2 databases. The default location for the PM8 databases is:
C:\ProgramData\WH Software\PM8\Database
This is the default location. It is possible your databases are in a different location - check carefully.
Almost always these are called PM8.fdb and PM8DocStor.fdb.
Rename them to MovedToNewServer_PM8.fdb and MovedToNewServer_PM8DocStor.fdb
If Windows will not allow you to rename the database then do not continue.
This means the database is in use.
Using PM8Setup.exe, perform a new install of PM8 to the new server.
When the installer runs the ProMaster Master-Keying 8 Database Creator program, click Cancel to close it. This will skip the creation of a blank database because we do not require it.
Copy the renamed database files to the PM8 database folder on the new server.
The PM8 database location is:
C:\ProgramData\WH Software\PM8\Database\
Next, rename the copied database files on the new server from MovedToNewServer_PM8.fdb and MovedToNewServer_PM8DocStor.fdb to PM8.fdb and PM8DocStor.fdb
Configure and test backups on the new server.
See Backup-overview or the PM8 help file.
DO IT NOW. DO NOT SKIP THE BACKUP CONFIGURATION.
On each workstation, edit the following file:
C:\ProgramData\WH Software\PM8\PM8.ini
In that file there will be two sections that look like this (likely the blank lines will be missing but you may make blank lines to make the file more readable):
[Environments]
Default=Environment-Default
[Environment-Default]
ServerName=OLDSERVER:PM8
The [Environments] section defines the default environment available to the program and points to the next section called Environment-Default. Then in the section [Environment-Default], the server for that environment is named (in this example) OLDSERVER with a database alias of PM8.
Change the name of the server to that of the new server (in this case NEWSERVER):
[Environments]
Default=Environment-Default
[Environment-Default]
ServerName=NEWSERVER:PM8
Save the configuration file
Login as a normal user (not the ‘admin’ user) to perform the PM8 activation.