Ultimate Drupal 7 to 9 Migration: Boost Your Website in 2023

2024 Update: This article has been refreshed with the latest information for Drupal 7 site owners looking to migrate to Drupal 9 or directly to Drupal 10. Detailed guides are provided for both paths.

• Upgrading Drupal 7 to Drupal 10: Check out this guide.
• Upgrading Drupal 7 to Drupal 9: You are in the right place... read on...

Comprehensive Guide to Migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 9

As Drupal 7's support sunset nears, businesses using it as their website CMS face a crucial decision. Upgrading to Drupal 9 isn't just a technical step; it's a commitment to security, performance, and staying abreast of digital trends. This guide is your roadmap to a seamless transition, ensuring your website’s continued effectiveness and compliance.

1. Understanding Drupal Migration

Drupal migration involves several essential steps:

• Planning: Identify source data, set a timeline.
  • Identify Source Data: Determine which content types, taxonomies, users, and other entities need to be migrated.
  • Timeline Setting: Create a realistic timeline that includes phases for planning, development, testing, and deployment.
• Extraction: Retrieve data from the current system.
  • Tools and Techniques: Use tools like the Migrate API and custom scripts for data extraction.
  • Data Check: Ensure data integrity during extraction.
• Transformation: Convert and modify data to fit the new environment.
  • Data Mapping: Map old data structures to new ones in Drupal 9.
  • Cleaning Data: Remove redundant or outdated information.
• Loading: Integrate transformed data into Drupal 9.
  • Staging Environment: Load data into a staging environment first.
  • Validation: Check data integrity and functionality after loading.
• Testing: Validate data accuracy and functionality at each step.
  • Unit Tests: Write and run unit tests for data migration.
  • User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Engage end-users to verify data and functionality.
• Monitoring: Regularly troubleshoot issues during the process.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Use monitoring tools to detect and fix issues in real-time.

2. Pros & Cons

• Pro: Thorough planning ensures a seamless migration.
• Con: Testing is time-consuming but essential for success.

3. Drupal Migration: ETL Fundamentals

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) is a fundamental process in Drupal migration:

• Extract: Retrieve data from its source.
  • Data Sources: Identify all data sources, including databases, files, and third-party systems.
• Transform: Modify data to fit the new system.
  • Transformation Rules: Define rules for data conversion, including field mappings and data type changes.
• Load: Integrate data into Drupal 9.
  • Batch Processing: Load data in batches to manage system load and identify issues.

Related: Learn all about Drupal 10's latest release - Drupal 10.1.6

4. Drupal 7 to Drupal 9 Migration Guide

Why Migrate to Drupal 9?

Migrating to Drupal 9 is a strategic move:

• Enhanced Security: Continuous updates against cyber threats.
• Superior Performance: Quicker load times, better user engagement.
• Modern Features: Advanced functionalities for a dynamic site.
• Future Compatibility: Easier updates and community support.

Auditing Your Drupal 7 Website

Before migration, audit your Drupal 7 site:

• Content Assessment: Update or remove outdated content.
  • Content Inventory: List all content types and entities to be reviewed.
  • Quality Check: Assess the quality and relevance of the content.
• Module Compatibility: Check if current modules are compatible with Drupal 9.
  • Module Inventory: List all modules and their Drupal 9 compatibility status.
  • Alternatives: Identify and plan for alternative modules if needed.
• Custom Code Review: Ensure custom code aligns with Drupal 9 standards.
  • Code Audit: Review all custom modules and themes for compatibility.
  • Refactoring: Update code to meet Drupal 9 standards.
• Structural Analysis: Examine content types, taxonomies, and menus.
  • Content Types: Map old content types to new structures.
  • Taxonomies: Ensure taxonomies are properly structured and consistent.

Preparing for Migration

• Update Drupal 7: Run the latest version for a smoother transition.
  • Security Patches: Apply all available security patches.
• Back-Up Your Site: Secure data and content.
  • Database and Files: Perform a complete backup of the database and files.
• Install Migration Modules: Tools like Migrate Drupal and Migrate Plus.
  • Migrate Plus: Use for extended functionality.
  • Migrate Tools: Facilitate the migration process.

Setting Up Drupal 9

• Install Drupal 9: Set up on a server or local environment.
  • Server Requirements: Ensure the server meets Drupal 9 requirements.
• Basic Configuration: Set foundational settings.
  • Site Settings: Configure site name, timezone, and other basic settings.
• Module Installation: Focus on compatible modules.
  • Essential Modules: Install essential modules like Admin Toolbar, Pathauto, etc.

Developing a Migration Plan

• Content Mapping: Transfer custom fields and content types.
  • Field Mapping: Create a detailed mapping plan for all fields.
• Navigational Integrity: Ensure seamless menus and taxonomies.
  • Menu Mapping: Map old menus to the new site structure.
• Custom Code Transition: Update or replace custom code.
  • Code Testing: Thoroughly test all custom code after migration.
• Module Configuration: Configure new modules.
  • Module Settings: Adjust settings for new modules to fit the site’s requirements.

Executing the Migration

• Configure Tools: Set up necessary tools on both sites.
  • Migrate API Configuration: Set up migration scripts and configurations.
• Initiate Migration: Transfer data using Migrate modules.
  • Data Validation: Validate data at each stage of the migration.
• Thorough Testing: Test for discrepancies or issues.
  • Functional Testing: Ensure all functionalities work as expected.
  • Performance Testing: Test site performance under load.

Post-Migration Steps

• Review and Fix: Address issues like broken links, missing images.
  • Link Checker: Use tools to identify and fix broken links.
• Domain Update: Redirect to the new site.
  • SEO Considerations: Ensure SEO settings are updated.
• Disable Drupal 7 Site: Prevent confusion and indexing issues.
  • Site Deactivation: Deactivate the old site and set up redirects.
• Monitor Performance: Continuously check for arising issues.
  • Analytics Setup: Ensure analytics are set up to monitor site performance.

Going Live with Drupal 9

Ensure a smooth launch by following best practices for going live.

• Domain Update: Redirect your domain to the new Drupal 9 site.
• Disable Drupal 7 Site: Prevent confusion and indexing issues by deactivating the old site.
• Monitor Performance: Continuously check your new site for any arising issues.

Download: The Perfect Website Launch Checklist

5. Drupal Migration Modules

• Core Modules: Fundamental components that come pre-installed, like Node, User, Taxonomy, and Block modules.
• Contributed Modules: Enhancements developed by the Drupal community, such as Views and Pathauto.

Must read: Create Custom Modules and Functionality with Drupal

6. Preparing for Drupal Migration

Prerequisites

Ensure the target environment meets all necessary prerequisites.

• System Requirements: Check PHP, MySQL, and server compatibility.
• Backup Plans: Have robust backup and rollback plans in place.

For instance:

• You need to check if your current server environment meets Drupal's system requirements.
• Ensure that your PHP version is compatible with the version required by Drupal.
• Back up all your website files, including custom modules, themes, and uploaded files.
• Create a backup of your database using reliable tools or methods.

Setting Goals

Define clear objectives and timelines for the migration project.

• SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Consider these points:

• Define what success looks like for this project: Is it completing within a certain timeframe? Ensuring minimal downtime?
• Break down larger goals into smaller achievable milestones: For example, completing data migration within two weeks.
• Establish clear metrics: How will you measure success? Will it be based on reduced page load times or improved site performance post-migration

7. Migrate API Explained

Plugins Overview

Utilize various plugins to enhance functionality and streamline migration.

• Custom Plugins: Develop custom plugins if needed for specific data transformations.

8. Executing Drupal Migrations

Debugging Techniques

Use tools like Devel and Xdebug for effective debugging.

• Devel Module: Monitor queries and performance.
• Xdebug: Debug code with breakpoints and stack traces.

Logging Error Reporting Mechanisms

Maintain detailed logs and error reports to troubleshoot issues.

• Log Management: Use logging tools to capture and analyze errors.

Think of it like having a captain on a ship who keeps a close eye on everything to avoid any problems or accidents. Logging is like keeping a detailed journal of all the activities happening on your website, so you can easily track down any issues that may arise. It's like having a record of every little thing that happens, so you can go back and see what went wrong if something doesn't work as expected.

9. Advanced Migration Concepts

Object-Oriented Architecture

Promotes code reusability, maintainability, and scalability.

• Class Inheritance: Use inheritance to manage common functionalities.

For example, let's say you're migrating a website from another platform to Drupal. Understanding how to structure your code in an object-oriented way will enable you to break down the functionality into smaller, reusable pieces. This means that when you need similar functionality elsewhere in your project or in future migrations, you can simply reuse those objects rather than starting from scratch each time.

Moreover, by grasping object-oriented concepts such as classes and inheritance, you'll be able to build more efficient and scalable migration solutions. For instance, if there are common attributes or behaviors across different content types being migrated into Drupal (e.g., articles and blog posts), leveraging inheritance allows you to define these shared characteristics once at a higher level and then inherit them in specific content type classes.

Events and Hooks

Enable custom logic execution at key points without modifying core files.

• Hook Implementations: Implement hooks for custom operations during migration.

Consider this scenario: During a data migration process where user profiles are being transferred from one system to Drupal, utilizing events enables you to trigger additional processes after each profile has been successfully migrated - for instance sending out welcome emails or updating related records elsewhere on your site.

10. Migrating Content in Drupal

Handle files and images carefully to ensure they transition without data loss.

• File Management: Ensure file paths and permissions are preserved.

In a Drupal migration scenario, dealing with media entities becomes a significant aspect of content transfer. Media entities allow for better management of multimedia assets such as images, videos, audio files, etc., along with their associated metadata.

When migrating media entities from your current platform to Drupal, it's essential not only to move the actual media but also ensure that all relevant metadata comes along with it. Metadata encompasses details like titles, descriptions, copyright information - anything related to how these media items are categorized or described on your website.

An Easier Upgrade Path to Drupal 10

Migrating to Drupal 9 is pivotal for security, performance, and modern functionality. This guide aims to equip you with knowledge and confidence for a successful transition, paving the way for an easy upgrade to Drupal 10 and beyond. Remember, preparation and the right tools are key to a successful Drupal migration.