In the latest release ( DNN 3.3 and 4.3 ) we have included the following packages: Source, Install, Upgrade, and Starter Kit ( DNN4 only ). I would like to share some info about these packages:

Source - contains all source code for the core framework. Includes a release.config and development.config file ( nop web.config ). Also includes Install versions of all Modules. If you need source for the modules, you can download them seperately from the download page on the site.

Install - contains just the run-time resources. Includes a web.config file. You should not use this version to upgrade an existing install unless you are very careful - because if you overwrite your previous web.config, you may lose access to your site membership. Includes Install versions of all Modules.

Upgrade - contains just the run-time resources. Includes a release.config and development.config. You can safely use this version for upgrading your site. However there is not automated utility for merging changes in the configuration files. Since there are nodes in the release.config and development.config which are new / required for DNN to function correctly, you will need to manually merge the applicable sections. This not a new step - it has been a requirement for any DNN upgrade all way back to version 1.0.0. Does not include any Module packages. The reasoning is that users do not always want to upgrade their modules when they upgrade the core.

In general, the standard method for dealing with config upgrades is to rename your existing web.config to web.config.backup. Rename the release.config to web.config. Then manually copy the following settings from the old web.config.backup to the new web.config file:

    <add key="SiteSqlServer" value="{connection string}"/>
    <add key="MachineValidationKey" value="{your localized key}" />
    <add key="MachineDecryptionKey" value="{your localized key}" />

you may also want to move your objectQualifier specification ( if you have one in your old web.config.backup )

    <data defaultProvider="SqlDataProvider">
      <providers>
        <clear />
        <add name="SqlDataProvider" type="DotNetNuke.Data.SqlDataProvider, DotNetNuke.SqlDataProvider" connectionStringName="SiteSqlServer" upgradeConnectionString="" providerPath="~\Providers\DataProviders\SqlDataProvider\" objectQualifier="" databaseOwner="dbo" />
      </providers>
    </data>

Starter Kit - contains just the run-time resources. Includes a web.config file. This version is designed for software development activities. Contains Install versions of all Modules.

 

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My comments are my own and are offered WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Shaun Walker
http://www.siliqon.com

The keys shown in the first message are not like the validation and decryption keys in the Install download. (I'm not talking about the values, it's the key names).

Does it matter?

Here's what's in the download

    <machineKey
      validationKey="F9D1A2D3E1D3E2F7B3D9F90FF3965ABDAC304902"
      decryptionKey="F9D1A2D3E1D3E2F7B3D9F90FF3965ABDAC304902F8D923AC"
      decryption="3DES"
      validation="SHA1"/>

you only need to download the package, that is appropriate for you:

• if you only want to run a portal select installation package
• if you are planning to develope modules or tweak the core use source version
• if you want to make quick modules with VWD or VS2005, use the starter kit.

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Cheers from Germany,
Sebastian Leupold

   

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