I would like you to migrate our SharePoint server from one server to another. This would include: 1. Installing and configuring the SAME version of SharePoint. (without disrupting current application) 2. Pointing the new server to the same data set 3. Insuring that ALL custom work is working on the new server. I am not sure how to do this, but I have heard this is one of the easiest ways - to add a new server to the existing farm . Once the new server is there, promote it to the primary server. Once that is done take the old one out. I am not sure how to do this even. Would appreciate any help here!

Here is the detail as per my understanding 1) As you mentioned above first install all binaries of SharePoint same version as your current server. 2) Security patches 3)language Packs etc................... After installing binaries 1) Run config wizard 2) Now it will give you 2 options a) Add to the existing farm b) Create a new farm select a) next it will ask you about what type of installation it would be a) Web server only b) Complete server i.e. application role also will be included in it based on your requirement select this option. Then you agood to go It will add the server to the farm. Bring the customized files in the new server. Now from CA remove the old server.

Here is the detail as per my understanding 1) As you mentioned above first install all binaries of SharePoint same version as your current server. 2) Security patches 3)language Packs etc................... After installing binaries 1) Run config wizard 2) Now it will give you 2 options a) Add to the existing farm b) Create a new farm select a) next it will ask you about what type of installation it would be a) Web server only b) Complete server i.e. application role also will be included in it based on your requirement select this option. Then you agood to go It will add the server to the farm. Bring the customized files in the new server. Now from CA remove the old server.

Actually, I understood some of it, but most of it is more than I can understand. Is there a step by step guide about this procedure. The thing is I am a sharepoint developer and don't do this often (admin stuff), so as much detail as possible would be helpful!

Although the following link says adding a new web front end to the farm, you can select the role that you need while running the configuration wizard. This should help you. http://grounding.co.za/blogs/neil/archive/2008/02/06/joining-a-wfe-server-to-a-sharepoint-farm.aspx Make sure you install all the relevant Service/langauge packs, hot fixes and patches as in the old farm. By the way, if you have a farm with stand alone installation earlier, you cannot add any thing to this farm. You have to reinstall/rebuild everything. In addition you have to install/provision the central admin after adding the farm. You can get the right commands in the stsadm reference below http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc261956(v=office.12).aspx After you make sure that the central admin is moved, your search components etc are installed and all your custom WSPs (if et al) present are deployed and custom changes made...you can simply remove the old server from the central admin Thanks, Hareesh

Thanks for your response, this is helpful. I will try this out and post my experience. I had a quick question before this, will this procedure also successfully move the portals, web applications, site collections, features, timer jobs, document libraries, event handlers over to the new sharepoint server? Also what would be the steps to provisio/install central admin on the new server?