You should now have an SQL file, which is your backup database file, safely stored away in your computer. The next step is to transfer the contents of that file into a new database at your new host.

Firstly, access you new host, navigate to the cpanel pages, then to the database section and follow the prompts to create a new MySql database. Obviously, remember the database name and user name for later reference.

Once created, access phpMyAdmin and navigate to your newly created database. In the example that follows I created a new database named, "newdrupaldb". You will notice that there are no tables created as yet, that is what the following process will do. Click on the Import tab and you should see a screen similar to the following. Click on image for a detailed view

At your old host, access phpMyAdmin, you're going to backup your database(s) which will ultimately be downloaded to your computer.

Click the Export tab and a screen similar to the following should be displayed (click for larger image).

Firstly, it goes without saying that you need access to your old host in order to carry out any of the following procedures. If you haven't got access to your old host, then in a nutshell, you're stuffed.

The following pages will show the processes and procedures required in order to transfer a Drupal system from one server to another. The concepts though can be applied to any database driven application.

Before any importing can be done a connection must first be made to both the Wordpress and Drupal databases. From the main opening window, clicking the 'Continue to Importer Form' button will open the connection form (if a connection hasn't already been established) or purposely clicking 'Connect to Databases' button.

All connection details must be entered correctly and connection is established via clicking the 'Connect' button. When successful connections have been established to both databases only then will the 'OK' button become active. Clicking the 'OK' button will progress the user to the 'Importing' screen.

Please be aware that upon successful connection the connection settings are saved in a text file (connect.txt) in the same directory where this program resides. This 'connect.txt' file is insecure in that the passwords are easily determined. If this file is present upon loading then the connection settings are automatically filled in.

The following is a brief description of the information required.

Version

Select the appropriate Wordpress and Drupal versions. As of this writing only Wordrpess version 2.5 is available and for Drupal you have a choice between 5.x and 6.x.

Host

If accessing the MySql database remotely, that is, on a hosted server, somewhere, other than your computer, then you will need to input the IP number. If you are unsure of the IP number it can be found at your hosting administration site (CPanel), failing that, your hosting company can provide it.

If you are accessing the MySql database locally, that is, on your home computer, then 'localhost' should suffice. If 'localhost' doesn't work then '127.0.0.1' will.

Port

The default is '3306'. Regardless of whether you are accessing your MySql database remotely (across the internet) or locally (on your computer) the number will probably be '3306'. If not, your hosting company can provide the correct figure.

Database Name

The name of the MySql database file of either the Wordpress or Drupal database (depending upon whether your at the 'source' or 'target' connection setting tab. If unsure, simply check the relevant 'config' or 'settings' php file from either system.

Username

Enter the 'Username' that has access rights to the database. Again, if unsure, check the 'config' or 'settings' php file from either system for confirmation. If you are accessing the MySql database files locally, that is, on your computer, and have installed MySql with all default settings, then the odds are that the user name will be 'root' and no password.

Password

Self-explanatory. If unsure check the 'config' or 'settings' php file from either system for confirmation.

Table Prefix

If your database (Drupal, Wordpress) was setup with the inclusion of table prefixes, then the correct table prefix must be entered. If no prefixes then no entry is required.

1. An already created and installed Drupal 5.x/6.x database.
   • This can either be a freshly installed database which effectively is empty other than User ID 1, the 'super' or 'creator' user of the Drupal database installation; or
   • An already populated Drupal 5.x/6.x database. This basically means that posts, users, comments, categories etc have been created, most likely through Drupal itself.

     What I mean by 'most likely' is that you may have started with a clean, fresh, unpopulated Drupal database. Using this program it is possible to import a Wordpress database numerous times. Obviously, after a first Wordpress database is imported, the Drupal database is no longer a fresh unpopulated database.

2. A source database, Wordpress 2.5
3. All databases must be MySQL.

1. An already created and installed Drupal 5.x database.
   • This can either be a freshly installed database which effectively is empty other than User ID 1, the 'super' or 'creator' user of the Drupal database installation; or
   • An already populated Drupal 5.x database. This basically means that posts, users, comments, categories etc have been created, most likely through Drupal itself.