I need a computer person.
 

Location: Greenville, SC.

My company uses an SQL database that is currently hosted at a remote location and is available over the web via login credentials.

I want to relocate it from the current hosting entity to my server here in the office.

My server is a Microsoft Server 2000.
The database would still need to be accessible over the web so I can access it when I travel.


At a minimum, I would like to relocate the database to the office server.
I would consider using a Linux server, or even upgrading to a newer Microsoft server, however price is a consideration.


This is not an offer for ongoing job, and no employer/employee relationship would exist. The person would act as and be paid as an independent contractor for this one-time need.

Oh... I did consult with a local guy.
He said he could do it, but insisted on a two year maintenance contract.

He did not get the job.

What is attached to the DB, i.e. is this a backend for a web app or...? Is the current DB a MS SQL Server DB?

If you just want to move the DB from one MS box to another, you should be able to package it up on the existing server as a .bak and move the .bak to the new server, and voila.

Assuming your server in the office is available now on the web, that's the end of it... assuming you are technically adept enough to interact directly with a SQL server (i.e. you are writing SQL queries in management studio or whatever) this type of move is within your grasp. I can give better advice if you let me know a bit more about the specifics.

Send me a pm w/ contact info - if I'm too busy I have a buddy who can do it.

You should factor in a few more hours to move that off win2k. That's end of life and on extended support. Patches are only available for a premium price, and on best effort only. Very dangerous way to fly these days.

Unfortunately, I may not know the answer to your questions.

I can tell you that the database is accessible from my desktop either by using a program that has an ADP extension and opens with Microsoft Office Access, or by using an internet URL that takes me to a login page. I was told it was a Microsoft SQL database.

My Server 2000 computer is not currently accessible on the web, and I don't know the technical stuff of how to make it so.
I would like to use it simply because it is already paid for, however if it is unreliable due to end-of-service issues then I may consider a different option.

Scott is right on re: migrating away from 2k

Maybe I posed my original question poorly... what I'm really asking is what type of info is in the database, and how is information added i.e. who adds info to the DB and how? Is the info all added manually by users like you using desktop applications?

You want to move off of a hosting company and onto your own server, and your own server is Win2K? I wouldn't spend the money to move anything to Win2K.

There's a lot of info you're not providing that makes this a challenge.

1) Is this a mission critical app for you? If so, why do you want to move it?
2) What version of Server and SQL is it currently running on?
3) Do you own MS SQL Server in the version that your DB uses?
4) I am not even sure if SQL 2K5 or 2K8 will run on Windows 2K, so you better check that.
5) Do you know what development tools are used to support your database? Visual studio, etc?? Do you own those? Are the compatible with Win2K?
6) Does it run a webserver? If so, what version?
7) Who owns the domain?
8) Who is the domain admin?
9) Who hosts the DNS?
10) Do you have a static IP addresses in your office? Are there addresses available?
11) Do you have a firewall?
12) Who maintains the firewall? Can they make the changes needed to support the webserver?

There are many more questions that need to be asked, and they will spawn questions and so on. If you don't know the answers to these, then you should stop and get these answered before you try and move this thing.

When you ask computer people if something is possible, it's like asking your Porsche mechanic if they can make it faster. The answer is almost always yes, but you may not like the costs.

Good luck.

I can tell you about how to do it with DB2 on Z/os.

Doesn't sound like you're quite there yet...

Info is "work orders" for the company.
The database keeps up with customers, the work we have done for them, etc.
All info is input by me, or somebody like me, from the desktop applications.


There's a lot of info you're not providing that makes this a challenge.
1) Is this a mission critical app for you? If so, why do you want to move it?
Abolutely mission critical.
The database was hosted by the developer. He recently took a job with a company that has him under a non-compete, and he wants to get rid of his obligation to me.

2) What version of Server and SQL is it currently running on?
I do not know. The developer said he would coordinate with whomever I hire so that they can get the job done. I can ask.

3) Do you own MS SQL Server in the version that your DB uses?
I'm guessing the answer is no.
4) I am not even sure if SQL 2K5 or 2K8 will run on Windows 2K, so you better check that.
5) Do you know what development tools are used to support your database? Visual studio, etc?? Do you own those? Are the compatible with Win2K?
6) Does it run a webserver? If so, what version?
As with #2, I will have to ask.
7) Who owns the domain?
8) Who is the domain admin?
9) Who hosts the DNS?
I (or the company) own Performance Aeromotive, Inc..
It's currently hosted at M6.com, but they are about the worst excuse for a hosting service. The database developer told me to host my web and email at GoDoddy, and put the database itself on the server in my office. Currently the database is accessible at
Performance Aeromotive Login Page

10) Do you have a static IP addresses in your office? Are there addresses available?
11) Do you have a firewall?
12) Who maintains the firewall? Can they make the changes needed to support the webserver?

There are many more questions that need to be asked, and they will spawn questions and so on. If you don't know the answers to these, then you should stop and get these answered before you try and move this thing.
Well, this is why I knew I needed a computer person.
This is not a task that I can do on my own, afaik, and as you can see I don't know jack about the details.

Some of this may help.
Some will not.



What version of Server and SQL is it currently running on?
*Windows server 2008 and SQL Server 2005

Do you own MS SQL Server in the version that your DB uses?
*I have SQL Server 2000, but it is not yet installed.
And that is the version it was originally written for.

If so, will your version run on Windows 2K?
*I think so

Do you know what development tools are used to support your database? Visual
studio, etc?? Do you own those? Are the compatible with Win2K?
*Enterprise Manager - This is part of SQL Server 2000

Does it run a webserver? If so, what version?
*Originally coded for Windows Server 2003

Do you have a static IP addresses in your office? Are there addresses
available?
*I do not know

Do you have a firewall?
*I do not know

Who maintains the firewall? Can they make the changes needed to support the
webserver?
*I do not know

I'll be blunt.

Find someone local to you that can go through this and support you. This can go wrong fast if you try to shoestring it. My 2 cents.

This is not going to be easy. A reverse migration from SQL 2000 to 2005 is painful. You can't just restore the backup or migrate the data from 05 to 00. You have to do a scripted export and rebuild the queries with the older version of the query analyzer.

This works sometimes......

Cash, PM me if you don't find someone local to do this for you. We are up the road in Charlotte and either my partner can take you through this process. And we have an excellent SQL DBA we work with that can help.

Once you factor in security (physical, data, network), backups, server software w/ support..... hosting might not be a bad option. If this is mission critical make sure it's supported as such.

Not to add fuel to the fire... :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/568014-website-hacked-rooted.html

everyone is worrying about the DB. No one is worrying about the front/mid end apps?

Got this from my current guy via email, in reply to Scott R's post above:

That sounds right, and there may be other reasons why it will probably be necessary
to export the DB objects as scripts and do some editing. This is why I suggested you get a pro in there.

In addition to the queries there are table objects, stored procedures and table-based functions to move/test/edit (as necessary). In addition, there may be some code changes necessary in the web application to correct for some weird naming and ownership conventions M6 uses on their servers.


Another question I have come up with: Since there seems to be some concern about my Server 2000 computer being an unwise choice for hosting, is it possible to put the DB on GoDaddy service along with my website when I move it? I see something about "10 MySQL Databases" being included in the GoDaddy hosting suite.
Web Hosting Services With GoDaddy, Compare Our Prices

Or is that not possible?

From the sound of it, this is where my current guy has it hosted: ASP.Net Windows Hosting - ASP, PHP and .Net Windows Reseller Web Hosting : Affordable for web designers and reseller's who want Windows hosting with ASP.Net, PHP, MySQL and SQL Server web host in the one hosting package at a discount price.

I know my website and email is hosted with them, and I do not want any of it to stay with them. They email servers keep getting blacklisted, and that has been a real thorn in my side.

Well the issue really is what flavor of SQL.

MySQL and MSFT's SQL have differences.

Since you were already on a hosted solution I was betting that you were running on MySQL. It's Open Source and as such is the most common flavor included with hosting packages.

See what 1and1.com has to offer.

You might do well with a Virtual Private Server, VPS.