How can I import database from newer sqlserver version

Question

I have a set of databases that is from SQLServer 2017 and I am trying to import the master and core databases into a SQLServer 2014. Also, it is on a Sitecore 8.2 U7 for both instances.

Not sure if its valuable to mention, but I also have Web Forms for Marketers 8.2 rev. 180329 and Sitecore.PowerShell.Extensions-5.1 modules.

For the master database, I got to a point where I have just updated the connectionString in my Sitecore instance using SQLServer 2014 to point to the instance that has the reference from SQL Server 2017, and then published the site from master to web. Then export/restore web into master. Worked out well... But for the core I can't.

So far, I have tried these :

• Create a package from Core Database using Package
  • Somehow, the installation keeps failing.
• Script the database using this reference : https://solutioncenter.apexsql.com/restore-sql-server-database-backup-to-older-version-of-sql-server/
  • The output script is kind of redundant and not good. Using wrong database name and also try to re-create a whole bunch of stuff that is already there.

So I wonder, have any of you faced similar issue, if so, what path/strategy have you chosen ?

Answer 1

So, I ended up doing a mix and match with what Mark Cassidy said about serializing items and what I did for the master database previously. Although, now I did this for both master and core database, because the flag Mark raised had me concern, and could not afford to review the whole database state.

The main issue was the sqlServer obviously, but the other one was also the databases size. And serializing from one place and then moving it to another server, would ve taken hours because of the protocol, or I could ve map drivers from server A to B perhaps it would ve been fast as well.

Regardless, what I did is :

• Use master and core databases connectionString from Sitecore instance using SqlServer 2017 in my Sitecore instance using SqlServer 2014
• Went to https://whatever/sitecore/admin/serialization.aspx and serialize both master and core databases.
  • To be transparent, I did not know about this admin page, I found it here
• Serialize users as well (from User Manager > Serialize all users)
• Put back my original connectionString on my Sitecore instance using SqlServer 2014
• Went back to https://whatever/sitecore/admin/serialization.aspx and deserialize (using the update button) both master and core databases.
• Publish master to web

*Updates

Also had to transfer password, this article was usefull. But because the code enable 1 selection at the time, and I had hundreads of account to add, I have also added this code within the file

   protected void btnAddAll_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
          ClearListBoxSelection();
          for(int i=0;i<lbUsersIntersect.Items.Count;i++)
          {
            lbTransferPasswords.Items.Add(lbUsersIntersect.Items[i]);
            lbUsersIntersect.Items.Remove(lbUsersIntersect.Items[i]);
          }
        }

and added a button to call this thing

<td>
  <asp:Button ID="btnRemove" runat="server" Text="<<<" OnClick="btnRemove_Click" />
  <asp:Button ID="btnAdd" runat="server" Text=">>>" OnClick="btnAdd_Click" />
  <asp:Button ID="btnAddAll" runat="server" Text=">>>ALL>>>" OnClick="btnAddAll_Click" />
</td>