We currently backup all our DBs (including Config) via nightly SQL fulls. I'm now hearing we should use STSADMN to also backup our configuration as restoring of the SharePoint_Config might not be supported or always applicable if the farm has to be recreated or moved to new hardware. How exactly should we backup our configuration? STSADM and simply backup the url for the Admin site and our Shared Services site? Anything else that's not considered content and won't reside in SQL backups and a file system backup of the 12 hive? Also, in talking to a Microsoft resource, they are suggesting we dissassociate our dbs from our webaps, upgrade and then reassociate (via script). They are saying this will give us more control over the upgrade, allowing us to know early if there will be problems with the higher priority sites. Good idea? If so, anybody got the SQL code to pull out the Web application to DB map? Also, a sample stsadm script on how to disassociate and reassociate the dbs the web applciation. Finally, MS is saying WSS/MOSS SP2 patches are cumulative and will smoothly take us from RTM to SP2. However, I keep reading about horror stories where customers have to completely rebuild the farm.. and then even have trouble getting back to where they started. Thanks for any help or information!

Well, We upgraded few of our Large Farms in last 2 months and the largest was completed this month. We used the same approach as MS has said already " dissassociate CONTENT dbs from our webaps, upgrade and then reassociate (via script). They are saying RIGHT THAT this will give us more control over the upgrade, allowing you to know early if there will be problems with the higher priority sites". detaching the database from webapp can be done using Central admin and DBs can be attached using STSADM -o addcontentDB command. As you are running RTM, you might have to run STSADM -o preparetomove command as well on your DBs. I would say, have all the patches at a central location and mapped on each server. Create a Batch file to run the executables one after the other for the installation. Once done, run configuration wizard in proper sequence (starting with central admin server but Stop at Prompt, run the same on other servers for upto the prompt and then complete it first on Central admin box, then APP servers and finally webaps) One last helpful tip, Make sure all your crawls are IDLE and schedules are removed. HAPPY UPGRADING.I LOVE MS..... Thanks and Regards, Kshitiz (Posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.)

Thanks. Anybody know how to extract a map of Web application to Database? we have over 120 dbs.

Thanks. Did you stop any services or jobs as part of the pre-upgrade. Would you have those steps or know where I might find them. Also, won't stopping services affect the upgrade.