How do you migrate an IIS 7 site to another server?

Here is a helpful website on using appcmd to export/import a site configuration. http://www.microsoftpro.nl/2011/01/27/exporting-and-importing-sites-and-app-pools-from-iis-7-and-7-5/


I'd say export your server config in IIS manager:

  1. In IIS manager, click the Server node
  2. Go to Shared Configuration under "Management"
  3. Click “Export Configuration”. (You can use a password if you are sending them across the internet, if you are just gonna move them via a USB key then don't sweat it.)
  4. Move these files to your new server

    administration.config
    applicationHost.config
    configEncKey.key 
    
  5. On the new server, go back to the “Shared Configuration” section and check “Enable shared configuration.” Enter the location in physical path to these files and apply them.

  6. It should prompt for the encryption password(if you set it) and reset IIS.

BAM! Go have a beer!


MSDeploy can migrate all content, config, etc. that is what the IIS team recommends. http://www.iis.net/extensions/WebDeploymentTool

To create a package, run the following command (replace Default Web Site with your web site name):

msdeploy.exe -verb:sync -source:apphostconfig="Default Web Site" -dest:package=c:\dws.zip > DWSpackage7.log

To restore the package, run the following command:

msdeploy.exe -verb:sync -source:package=c:\dws.zip -dest:apphostconfig="Default Web Site" > DWSpackage7.log