Migration Bold BI application from Windows to Azure app service.

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This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to migrate the Bold BI application from a Windows environment to Azure App Service. It is assumed that the Bold BI database server has public access, either through a Managed instance or a server deployed in an online VM. For database migration, refer to the database migration article.

Migration Steps

Step 1: Backup the App Data

Back up the app_data from the Windows environment, which can be found in the following location:
```
C:\BoldServices
```

Step 2: Deploy the Bold BI Application

Deploy the Bold BI application in the Azure App Service environment by following the instructions in the deployment document.

Step 3: Convert Dashboard Files

Before migrating app_data from local storage to Azure Blob Storage, run the utility to convert the dashboard files to a format suitable for Blob Storage. In local storage, the dashboard files are in JSON format, while in Azure Blob Storage, they are in SYDJ format.
Download the SYDJconversion.zip utility tool in your Windows machine and extract.
Copy the app_data folder that you want to move to the Blob Storage location and paste it parallel to the SYDJConversion.exe file in the extracted location. Then, run the SYDJconversion.exe file.
After running the utility, all the dashboard files will be converted to SYDJ format.

Step 4: Download the Utility

Download the azure_utility.zip file from the following link:
azure_utility.zip

Step 5: Extract the Utility

After downloading, extract the contents of the azure_utility.zip file to a Windows machine.

Step 6: Move the App Data Folder

Locate the app_data folder within the extracted utility folder and move it to the azure_utility folder.

Step 7: Run the Migration Tool

Navigate to the Utilities/publish folder and execute the Bold_migration.exe file to initiate the update process.
Note: If you don’t have .NET Core 3.1 installed, you can download it from the official .NET download page.

Step 8: Enter Storage Account Details

The console window will open need to update the following details.
Storage Account Name: You can find this detail in the deployed Azure App Service resource group.
Container Name: Enter the name of the container where the data will be stored.
Access Key: Input the access key for the storage account.

Step 9: Wait for Completion

Allow the utility to complete its operation.

Step 10: Change the Windows URL to the Azure App Services URL

Retrieve the Azure App Services URL from the Azure portal.
Use this KB article to replace the Azure App Services URL.

Step 11: Move the `app_data` Folder

Use the Microsoft Azure Storage Explorer tool to transfer the app_data folder to the Azure App Service storage container.

Step 12: Stop the Web App Service

Once the folder has been moved, stop the service in the Web App Service.

Step 13: Navigate to the storage account

[Storage Account Name] → Containers → BoldbiContainer → BoldServices.

Step 14: Remove Existing App Data

Use the Azure Storage tool to navigate to your storage account.
Locate the app_data folder within the storage account.
Delete the app_data folder to clear existing data.

Step 15: Copy Local App Data

After removing the existing app_data, copy the local app_data folder to the following path in your Azure Storage Account:
storage account (storage account name) => containers => boldbicontainer => boldservices

Step 16: Remove GUID ID Folder

Navigate to the app_data/bi/ directory within the storage account.
Identify and remove the folder associated with the GUID ID.

Step 17: Create New Folder

Create a new folder named dashboard server at the same level as the boldservices folder in the Azure Storage Account:
storage account (storage account name) => containers => boldbicontainer => dashboard server

Step 18: Copy GUID Folders to Dashboard Server

Copy the GUID folders from your local app_data directory to the newly created dashboard server path in the Azure container.

Step 19: Start the Azure App Service

Click on the “Start” button to initiate the service.

Step 20: Navigate to UMS Administration Page

Open your web browser and go to the UMS administration page using the following format: {DNS}/ums/administration.
Enter the DNS that is associated with your Azure App Service. Note that this DNS is automatically created during the deployment of the Azure App Service.
create new site with azure app services DNS.

Step 21: Stop the Windows Site

If applicable, stop the existing Windows site to ensure a smooth transition.

Step 22: Restart the Azure App Service

Finally, restart the Azure App Service to complete the migration process. Your application should now be successfully migrated from the Windows environment to the Azure App Service.

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Written by Ranjithkumar Chinnadurai

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