Cloning a Project Web Access Site

[Project Server Slave]

Hello,

I've got a test instance of Project Server 2007 almost all the way
configured. When its done being setup, I need to transfer the
contents to a Production instance and a Development instance. Can I
just backup the databases and restore them with a different name, then
create a new PWA site and point to the databases? Will this cause any
issues? We've not created any Workspace sites, just created custom
fields, populated the resource pool, created security groups, etc.

Can you give me a best practice for doing this sort of thing? I need
all three instances to run on the same box, without any problems.
Thanks!

 

[Ben Howard]

Hi,
From what you describe, with no projects, you need to use the server
settings backup/restore tool to restore to the other instances. So, create
the instances in the normal way and then use this tool..
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc197393.aspx

If however, you need to take over the projects in the dbs, then you'll need
to back those up, create a new instance, and then restore the backed up DBs
into the new instance DBs - fairly simple SQL stuff, especially as you
haven't any WSS info.

 

[Marc Soester [MVP]]

Hi ProjectServer Slave,

When using the Backup Restore tool, be aware that it may break your traffic
lights. For some reason traffic lights and formulas do not seem to work after
using this tool. This wouldnt be a problem if you could recreate the traffic
lights manually, but unfortunatly the formula engine seem to break when using
this tool.

Please do a good test after using the backup restore tool
Thanks

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Marc: It's a known issue with the playbooks.

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

[Marc Soester [MVP]]

Yeap, that right, lets hope that MS fixes this soon, otherwise the playbook
backup restore is not worth a lot.

--
Marc Soester [MVP]
National Manager: EPM
http://marcsoester.blogspot.com

 

[Project Server Slave]

Ben,

Thanks for the information, I was not aware of this tool.

So if I want to bring over projects can I export the four Project
Server Databases, rename them, import them into SQL and point my new
PWA instance at them? Will that work properly, or will there be
overlap with the instance I copied the databases from?

Thanks guys.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

If we could get an enterprise customer to request it, it might get bumped
higher on the list!

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com