So How Does a New User Get Started??

[Clearpointa]

Hello:

I have a number of basic questions about how to deploy an Asp.Net website with SQL 2008R2 data. I have submitted the following ticket, but I hope that someone out there can get me (and virtually all other new DASP users) over the typical initial hurdles of getting a new website going. My ticket:


I hate to complain but here goes:

I have just signed up a a user with SQL 2008R2 database. I have an Asp.net app created with Visual Studio 2010. My data is in an SQL 2008 R2 database. I use SQL Management Studio. I am familiar with FTP and have logged on to your FTP portal. I have been able to connect to my database on your website. Surely this profile must be repeated often among your new users. I share this common set of needs:

Copy my data to your server database.

Copy my Asp.net website to your server.

Wire up my website database connection to point to the web database.

I have spent many hours scouring through your "knowledge base," forums, KB etc. but have found no answers. So, for the benefit of me and many many new users, please explain these points in enough detail so that someone who has never done it can do it:

My database on your site is SQL2008_836271_cpdata. I want to maintain flexibility for creating additional websites on your server, with differing data needs. How do I create a website specific database within SQL2008_836271_cpdata to service my first site?

I believe based on my research that the best way to get my data onto your server is to create a backup (.bak) file, upload it to your server, and then restore it. But where do I store it on your site? I would like to be able to create a directory for it, but I find no explanation of how to do this.

When I use your Web Application Tool, I see a root directory with a set of subdirectories:

_database
App_Code
App_Data
App_GlobalResources
aspnet_client
bin
Images

These appear to be structured to support a singel website. So where do I FTP my SQL database backup?

If i want to keep a separate set of data in a structure under the root, how do I create a "MyWebsite" SQL database?

Assuming I can get this done, I presume that I then restore my SQL backup to this database.

There appears to be a requirement that I create a new SQL user and/or alter the security settings to give myself the right to do anything meaningful. So what do I need to do from a user and security perspective to get going here?

I then need to upload my website with the "copy web site" functionalit of Visual Studio. Again my question is where to place it within your directory structure. Can I create a subdirectory for "MyWebSite," upload my website to that directory, and use your Web Application Tool to identify that subdirectory as a "website" ?

I know that I am asking a lot of questions, but again I repeat that these questions have got to be typical for your new users.

[wisemx]

We have talked in the past about creating a few Webcasts on DASPTV.com for this sort of thing. It's still a good idea.

First off, you mention Web Apps but also mention the Copy Website feature in VS.
In VS an ASP.NET App and a Website are two different creatures and require two different methods when syncing with your live server.

When using the Copy Website feature you do not specify a directory.
Just use the FTP or alternate FTP for your site.
You can btw always use the alternate FTP address, it is always available to you even if your domain has issues at any point.

When using the Copy Website feature the easiest way to get your data on your site is with the sync tools in SQL Server. Even the newer Express versions have that feature now.

With Web apps you can do it this way:
http://blog.discountasp.net/deploying-a-web-application-using-visual-studio-2010s-deployment-feature/

Ask any questions that I missed, we're here to help. ;-)

[G0dHunter]

Same Problem here having difficulty creating a new website using visual studio 2010 and using MS SQL SERVER 2008 R2, it would be greatly appreciated if a Step by step guide to guide beginners like me documented in knowledgebase. Thanks.

[wisemx]

I'm currently working on this. ;-)
Please post any tips you might need.
All the best,
Mark

[G0dHunter]

I am currently using Web Application Projects, I followed the video but could not find a solution to my problem. As seen in the video in exactly 1:48, My Projects "Add config transforms" is either grayed out or not existing at all, Here are the attach pictures of my problem. Thanks for Helping and more power.

[wisemx]

That new feature, to my dismay as well, does not exist for Web Sites, only for Web Applications.
You don't really need it for Web Sites however, a good practice is to make a complete backup that you will sync changes to on your local system, in which you can also have a development and go-live version of your site.

It's pretty easy with Visual Studio 2010 and Expression Web v4 to sync your local to remote changes. I'm always willing to create Webcasts for individual things like that.
With each Webcast we try to keep the video to 10 minutes so there really is only time for one subject each time.

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks ;-)

[elischneider]

Same Problem here having difficulty creating a new website using visual studio 2010 and using MS SQL SERVER 2008 R2, it would be greatly appreciated if a Step by step guide to guide beginners like me documented in knowledgebase. Thanks.

Same ballpark, new user. I have a simple application running under VS2010 employing sqlserver 2008 express. I have backed up the database, then restored on my local computer and then moved it (the restored DB now in 2008R2 format) to my DISCASP site. With some help from DISCASP that DB has been attached and I received the following from the analyst at DISCASP who was helping me:
"What is left now is for you to update all the connection string referencing old Express database to the live database connection string."
That seems to confirm my feeling that there is only a modification or two that are necessary to be made in the web.config file residing in the APP_DATA directory. Can you point me to something that gives me guidance as to which changes need to be made, or where I need to begin reading?

[jayc]

I have a number of basic questions about how to deploy an Asp.Net website with SQL 2008R2 data...You're mixing web backup / restore with SQL backup. They are on different servers and work differently.

_database
App_Code
App_Data
App_GlobalResources
aspnet_client
bin
Images

Those are .NET directory that is relative to your application, we do not dictate this structure. For different application, you just need to create different directory with those directories if your application requires it.

e.g: /App1
/_database
/App_code

/App2
/_database
/App_code

If you developed the app using Visual studios, these directories should be automatically included in the build.

There are several ways to deploy your app; FTP, Web deploy, or copy site.
http://support.discountasp.net/KB/c280/visual-studio-2010.aspx

Web app tool in control panel is used to convert a regular directory to an application directory.

SQl Database is an add-on, once you enable it the database will be created for your account, exclusively. You can restore or attach your local database to the live one using SQL tool in control panel. A connection string is then assigned, you will need to update your connection string in the project to the live database conn string to store the info in that DB.