SID-02057: unix to windows twiki move

Status:	Answered	TWiki version:	4.0.0	Perl version:	5.6.1
Category:		Server OS:	Solaris 5.9	Last update:	10 years ago

I have been tasked with moving a unix Twiki server to a windows Twiki server. Couple that with the fact that I am brand new to Twiki - I could use some suggestions on how to tackle this task.

Much appreciated any help anyone can give.

Thank you.

-- Kevin Krause - 2015-04-20

Discussion and Answer

I recommend installing the TWiki-VM on a Windows server that runs VMware or another virtualization software. This gets you up and running quickly, performs well, and a future upgrade is easier too compared to a native install on Windows.

If you opt for a native install on Windows see TWiki04x02WindowsInstallationGuide and IndigoPerlCookbookTWiki5x1. Both install docs are a bit outdated.

-- Peter Thoeny - 2015-04-20

...and if these instructions are too old for you, here's another idea which is too new: Work is under way to build a pure-Perl, PSGI-based (CPAN;PSGI) TWiki application server, which should be easier to install than any of the alternatives. Let me ask about some details of your task to check whether this is interesting for you:

• Do you have a working Apache HTTPD, or other web server on Windows (e.g. IIS) and knowledge about configuring this server? If yes, then the new approach has no advantage here. If no, then you'll notice that setting up a web server and getting the interfaces between web server and Perl right is one if the bigger tasks, and a pure-perl solution might be worthwile considering. Of course, the TWiki-VM comes with this problem already solved.
• Does your unix TWiki use Template login or Apache login? If Apache login "beyond basic" (e.g. SSO, LDAP- or Kerberos-based), then PSGI is not yet for you, you should stick with Apache (which is also part of the TWiki-VM). Template login, on the other hand, works with any TWiki environment.
• Is the server facing the internet or within an internal network? If internet, then again you need the good protection mechanisms of Apache (or a comparable web server).
• Do you already use server virtualization? If no, then you need to get acquainted with this technology, and perhaps purchase a license, if you want to deploy the TWiki-VM. For any long-term, productive use of the VM some Linux knowhow is necessary for system administration: Backup, networking/firewall, patch management, storage management, and so on. This isn't too complicated, but needs acceptance from the systems operations guys.

-- Harald Jörg - 2015-04-20

On backup, the TWiki-VM can simply be backed up by creating a snapshot of the VM.

-- Peter Thoeny - 2015-04-20

Closing this question after more than 30 days of inactivity. Feel free to reopen if needed. Consider engaging one of the TWiki consultants if you need timely help. We invite you to get involved with the community, it is more likely you get community support if you support the open source project!

-- Peter Thoeny - 2015-12-03

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