Some tips I learned during the migration process from Moodle v1.9 to Moodle v2.2. I researched a course-by-course method, but then found full-site migration possible. The slides here show just course-by-course methods.

1. Moodle Migration 1.x to 2.x
Alternate Title:
A Moodle Migration Study
by Thom W. Rawson
University of Nagasaki

2. Two kinds of Migration
A. Full Site
(shotgun approach)
B. Course-by-course ***
(pick-off method - I chose it!)

3. 1.9 to 2.x Ingredients
– A production server (existing 1.9 site which is live)
– A test server (containing two new Moodle sites)
– 1.9 clean installation (use the GIT repository)
– 2.x clean installation (use the GIT repository)
– All required mods and enhancements
• Working versions in both 1.9 and 2.x
• Includes backup/restore function
• Don't use it if you don't need it.
– OPTIONAL: An extra dose of patience
– OPTIONAL: A healthy dose of luck

4. Make sure server has the HP!
Power UP for 2.x!
• Making sure PHP settings (PHP.ini) are up to the task.
• max_execution_time
(maximum execution time for each script)
• max_input_time
(maximum amount of time each script may spend
parsing request data.)
• memory_limit (up it!)

5. Browser Power
• Use a heavyweight browser - Mozilla Firefox
• Safari - I didn't try it, but perhaps it would be OK.
• Google Chrome is nimble,
o Sometimes experiences ERROR 324 when running
extended processes - not recommended!
• Internet Explorer - Untested, but possibly OK.

6. Once the migration sites are ready...
Process:
• Copy the Course
o 1.9 Production to 1.9 Migration Server
o Clean up course files/activities if needed
• Backup 1.9 Migration Course
NOTE: 1.9 Migration server should be the latest 1.9
available. (Using the GIT repository ensures this!)

7. ...try to restore a course in 2.x!
• Create a file system repository (see docs).
• Requires a link to the file system from within the new
Moodle data directory.
• If the Moodle installs are "parallel", this is easy!
o /var/lib/www/moodledata/1x/<course_id>
o /var/lib/www/moodledata/2x/repository/<course_id>
• Important for other reasons later discussed!

8. A sample migration???

9. Notes on User data
• User data doesn't migrate course-by-course at the time of
writing. Why? I couldn't quickly determine.
• There may be third-party course file converters which can
help with this process.
• Ex. http://www.moodleinschools.org.nz/courseconverter
o (Moodle 1.9 to 2.0 converter - I never tried it)

10. Once you finish migrating a course...
• Check the content.
o Looks can be deceiving
• Try some of the activities/quizzes
o Drag-and-drop questions had to be re-programmed
• If possible, have some users test it for you for
functionality.
• If things go wrong, try to re-import after correcting issues
in 1.9 side -- OR fix them in 2.x if you can.

11. ...you realize you're not finished, yet!
• Legacy course files - what are they?
• What happens when you edit content?
o Say "goodbye" to your images
o You have to "re-add" them the new "Moodle way!"
• How do I get used to the new way of viewing course files
in Moodle?
o Practice and use it! It's the only way
o PoodLL File Explorer?

12. Don't lose hope!
• Changes to 2.x are being made weekly.
• Update your GIT repositories and keep at it.
• Check the Moodle forums for help.
• Lots of people have the same issues.
• Ask me! I'm willing to help!

13. References
• moodle.org (use forums in particular)
• github.com (social coding web)
• git-scm.com (the software for GIT)
• code.google.com (open source projects eg. PoodLL)
• mercurial.selenic.com (mercurial SCM site)
• ubuntu.com (open source Linux flavor of choice)
• thomw at sun dot ac dot jp (contact me if you need help)