The website is created using Drupal Version 6.x with additional modules added.  The base Drupal system and the modules are updated periodically.  This FAQ describes how to update the base system and modules using the standard manual method.

NOTE: The process can be completed much quicker using the drush program to automatically update the system.  This document is retained for reference.

 

1.0) Login as an administrator

 

2.0) On the Admin Menu at the top of the screen navigate to <Reports><Available Updates><List>  www.salfordsac.org.uk/admin/reports/updates  This screen shows which modules require updating and provides a link to download all the required modules in one go.  Click on the Download link for each module and save to one location on your local hard drive.  Only select the Recommended option and not the also available choice.

 

3.0) The files will be downloaded as .tar.gz files; These are double compressed files. Extract the files to your local hard drive.  A good unzipper such as WinZip (paid program) will extract these in one step.  Others, such as 7-Zip (free) will require you to unzip to a .tar file first and then to the actual files.

 

4.0) Switch the site to Maintenance Mode - <Site Configuration><Site Maintenance> http://www.salfordsac.org.uk/admin/settings/site-maintenance and go offline. Add a note to say the site will be down for one hour. Leave this browser window open.

 

5.0) Use an FTP client (Filezilla or FireFTP for FireFox add-in recommended) to logon to the site and to back up the entire site. See How to: Backup the website - Files backup http://www.salfordsac.org.uk/content/files-backup

 

6.0) The database is automatically backed up these days - check the most recent backup is up to date - using FTP, look in /backups/mysql_backups/auto/latest and asscertain that the datestamp is within the last 24 hours.

 

7.0) Core files:

7.1) If the core Drupal files need updating, upload the directory <drupal-6.xx> that you previously unzipped into /salfordsac.org.uk.  You will find a directory here called <drupal-6> this is the current working site and should not be changed yet.

7.2) From the <drupal-6> copy the directory <files> to the <drupal-6.xx> directory

7.3) From the <drupal-6> copy the directory <sites> to the <drupal-6.xx> directory  If prompted, overwrite any existing files.

7.4) Rename <drupal-6> to <drupal-6.xx> where xx is the version number of the current site.

7.5) Rename the new <drupal-6.xx> to <drupal-6> You now have a working website that has been updated to the latest version of Drupal.

7.6) Move to old <drupal-6.xx> to /backups/salfordsac.org.uk/drupal-old installs

 

8.0) Module & theme files:

8.1) Module files are stored in /salfordsac.org.uk/drupal-6/sites/all/modules. Theme files are stored in /salfordsac.org.uk/drupal-6/sites/all/themes.

8.2) For each module or theme update, delete the existing directory and upload the new version in it's place using FTP.

 

9.0) Run the update function ( <Run Updates> from the extreame left hand menu on the menu bar) to make any database changes -  http://www.salfordsac.org.uk/update.php and follow on screen instructions

10.0) Finally switch the site to Operational Mode - <Site Configuration><Site Maintenance> http://www.salfordsac.org.uk/admin/settings/site-maintenance and go online.

11.0) Check the site to ensure all is working.  Some modules will disable themselves on update so check that all relevant modules are enabled - <Site Building><Modules> http://www.salfordsac.org.uk/admin/build/modules

12.0) Drink coffee and relax. Or, if it has all gone horrible wrong, email Ian.T.Price@gmail.com or call +44 7515 811 727