dotCMS backup from .zip

Question

I have a problem with dotCMS. I have a site which is uploaded to the Internet and I want to export it to take care of this site locally on my computer. I've downloaded all data/assets from Maintenance -> Export dotCMS Content. I have a zip file with all content from this site. I managed and configured dotCMS locally on my computer. I have no idea how I can get access in dotCMS to my site from that zip file. In Maintenance menu I have no option to upload this site. I've read about folder dotCMS/starter.zip but I don't have anything like that. Can anyone tell step by step, how can I manage my site from zip file locally? Thx

Answer 1

Create a new database for dotCMS and replace the starter.zip with your downloaded .zip. Start dotCMS and it should import your site on initial startup. There are some caveats - the databases and versions should match from the server you've downloaded the .zip from.

Answer 2

So to add a couple things to Will's answer in case a few more details help:

• The easiest way to do what Will advised may be to start with a new dotCMS distribution.
  • Make sure the versions of both dotCMS and the database in the new installation match those of the site you made the backup from.
  • Go through all the normal install steps (including setting up a database), but before you actually start dotCMS, replace the starter.zip file in the ROOT (/dotserver/tomcat-8.0.18/webapps/ROOT) with your own ZIP file (renaming your file to starter.zip).
• Alternately, if you want to start with an existing install.
  • You still need to make sure the dotCMS and database versions match those of the site you backed up.
  • You still need to replace the starter.zip file with your backup ZIP file.
  • In addition, make sure you create a new DB (and update the context.xml file to point to it) before you start up dotCMS. If you don't do this, the starter.zip file (your backup) will not get read when dotCMS starts up.