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Migrating Sites with Site Export Wizard
This article will explain in detail how to use the UniFi Site Export Wizard to quickly and easily export sites from one Controller (including configuration and devices) to another.
Notes
- The new Controller's version (the one you will be migrating the site to) must be the same or newer than the original Controller's version.
- Exporting a site using the method described in this article will create a new site in your Controller. Since the default site cannot be deleted, the Controller would have two sites (as minimum). If this is not something you want, we would recommend using the "backup and restore" method.
- This is currently only possible in the "classic settings" of the controller. To go to classic settings from new settings (on controller version 6), go to Settings > System Settings > toggle off the New Settings and click Apply Changes. Any changes you make in classic settings will be permanent when you go back to the new settings. To go back just click on "Try New Settings" at the top of the Settings menu bar.
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Overview
The Site Export Wizard allows UniFi administrators (with Super Administrator roles only) to export sites from one UniFi Network Controller to be managed by another UniFi Network Controller. This was previously possible with manual configuration, but the wizard offers a more convenient, and user-friendly way to do this. This process can work to/from any type of UniFi Network Controller including locally hosted controllers, Cloud Keys, Dream Machines and UniFi Cloud Controllers, so long as Controller version is updated to current and that the new controller's version is the same or newer that the original controller's version.
IMPORTANT: It is important to note that the Site Export Wizard is not meant to be used to create a complete backup or to perform a restoration via the Setup Wizard since it does not include the admin accounts or credential information.
The migration process is virtually seamless, with a downtime of about a minute as devices provision and a few minutes for devices to appear in the new controller between steps 10 and 11 when changing the "inform URL".
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How to Migrate a Site
To get started, open the Controller and site that will be exported.
NOTE: To minimize complications, make sure to complete every step of the process, not skipping any. Please verify that the new Controller version (the one you will be migrating the site to) is the same or newer than the original Controller's
Go to Settings > Site
Select the gray “Export Site” button in the bottom-right of the page. This will initiate the wizard.
In the first step, click “Download backup file” to download the file that contains the site configuration to be imported into the controller you are migrating to.
Next, import this site into the new controller. To do so, open up the second controller web UI, click “Current Site - (Site Name)” dropdown in top-right of the display. Within this drop-down box select the “Import Site” option:
Name the site. It does not have to match the original site name. Once the site has been named, select “Choose file” and select the backup file that was just downloaded i.e. "5.9.29_default.unf"
Once the import has finished, a confirmation that the site was imported will appear. Once the import step has been completed, go back to the site being exported and click "confirm".
The following steps will migrate the devices. To do so:
First, find the URL of the destination controller. In this case, the new controller has an hostname of example.cloudunifi.com. So that is what is entered into the "Custom Inform URL" input field.
Next, select the devices that are to be migrated over by ticking the boxes next to each one, or select the entire list by ticking first checkbox.
Click “Migrate devices” button.
Verify that all devices are connected to the new controller and are visible on the devices page. Note this may take a few minutes. Once devices appear with a status of "connected" in the new controller site, you may select "forget devices".
IMPORTANT: Verify that the devices are visible and appear as connected in the new Controller's Devices section before clicking Forget Devices.
Once the site export wizard has completed with success, the devices will be configurable in the new controller. At this time, unless the site was a default site, it should be safe to remove the site from the previous controller.