Updating a Root Server

Things You Will Need
  • Access to FTP or Cpanel
  • Access to Server Hosting
Step One,

Download the current release from the downloads page. This a zip file that will need to be unpacked onto your local computer, remember the folder you unzip it to.

After you have unzipped it locate the folder, should be “main_server”.

Step Two,

On your computer rename the folder from “main_server” to “new_main_server”.

Step Three,

Upload the renamed directory to where your current “main_server” folder and “auto-config.inc.php” file are located. Do not place the new folder in the “main_server” folder. Place it in the same level as the “main_server” folder.

Step Four,

Now that “new_main_server” is in the directory on the hosting server, you can test it. This is easy. You simply change the Root Server URL to point to the “new_main_server” directory. For example, if the URL to the current directory is “http://bmlt.newyorkna.org/main_server” (The current actual Root Server for the Greater New York Region Web site), you would rename it to “http://bmlt.newyorkna.org/new_main_server” (This link won’t work, as we are not actually doing this operation on the GNY server).

You will find that you can run the Root Server, and that it will connect to your database, just like the current one.

Once you are satisfied it works, you can make it the default server.

Step Five,

The three card monty technique needs to be done fairly quickly. It’s a two-part operation. We have it in one step in order to emphasize that it needs to be done quickly.

During this operation, the Root Server WILL GO DOWN. If you do this right, it will be for such a short period of time that no one will notice.

You will do this with the file transfer method of your choice.

  1. Rename “main_server” to “old_main_server”
  2. Rename “new_main_server” to “main_server”

At this point, you are up and running with the new Root Server. You also have the advantage of having the old server around if there are any issues. Simply reverse Step Five, and you will be back to the old server.

Once you are satisfied that the new server is fine, you can get rid of “old_main_server” at your convenience.