New project with SiteSync

Current setup

You have a Sitefinity CMS license, but you have not created a project yet.

Desired setup

Environments: You want to setup in Continuous integration the following environments:

  • Development environment
  • One or more Test environments and one SiteSync Test environment
  • Staging and a Live environments.

SiteSync: You want to use SiteSync to synchronize content between the Staging and the Live environments.

PREREQUISITES: Before you setup Continuous delivery, make sure you have installed the latest version of Sitefinity CMS on your Development environment.
For more information, see Installation.

Setup the Development environment

In your Development environment, open your project and perform the following:

  1. Activate the Staging & Syncing module.
    For more information, see Activate and deactivate modules.
  2. Configure SiteSync for Continuous delivery.
  3. Develop, extend, and configure your project.
  4. Create and publish all of the required content.

RESULT: Your Development environment is setup for Continuous delivery and your project is ready for testing.

Setup the Test environments

  1. Deploy your project and its database from your Development to your Test environment.
    For more information on deployment options and procedures, see Deployment.
  2. Open your deployed project and make the following settings:
    1. Set Deployment mode to Target.
    2. Turn on Read-only mode of configurations.
  3. Proceed with testing.
    For more information, see Best practices: Testing.
  4. If any of the tests fail, perform the following:
    1. Go back to your Development environment to fix the problem.
    2. From your Development environment, export the project for deployment and import the changes to your Test environment.
      For more information, see Export and deploy code changes.
    3. Run the project on your Test environment.
      The fixes will be automatically imported.  
    4. Return to Step 3.
  5. Perform this procedure for every Test environment that you want to have.

RESULT: Your Test environment is setup for Continuous delivery. When all the tests pass, you have a fully tested and working project, where you can setup SiteSync.

Setup the Test environment that is used as target for the SiteSync

  1. Deploy your project without the database from your Test environment to your SiteSync Test environment.
    For more information on deployment options and procedures, see Deployment.
  2. Restore the database from your Development environment to your SiteSync Test environment.
    You restore the database from the Development environment, because the database that is currently on your Test environment may have some sample content created as a result from testing.
    Change the connection string in the DataConfig.config to point to the restored database.
  3. Setup SiteSync between the Test environment and the SiteSync Test environments.
    Set the Test environment as the source server for synchronization and the SiteSync Test environment as the target server for synchronization.
    For more information, see Configure the servers for synchronization.
  4. Verify that SiteSync is working correctly.
    For more information, see SiteSync procedure.

RESULT: You have a Test environment that is stable and ready to be deployed to your Staging environment and a SiteSync Test environment where SiteSync works correctly.

Setup the Staging and the Live environments

  1. Deploy your project without the database from your Test environment to your Staging environment and to your Live environment.
    For more information on deployment options and procedures, see Deployment.
  2. Restore the database from your Development environment to your Staging environment and to your Live environment.
    You restore the database from the Development environment, because the database that is currently on your Test environment may have some sample content created as a result from testing.
  3. Change the connection strings of both environment to point to their restored databases.
    The connection string is located in the DataConfig.config.
  4. Setup SiteSync between the Staging environment and the Live environments.
    Set the Staging environment as the source server for synchronization and the Live environment as the target server for synchronization.
    For more information, see Configure the servers for synchronization.
  5. Restart both environments.

RESULT: Your project is Live. Your environments are continuously integrated and ready for Continuous delivery.

Increase your Sitefinity skills by signing up for our free trainings. Get Sitefinity-certified at Progress Education Community to boost your credentials.

Web Security for Sitefinity Administrators

The free standalone Web Security lesson teaches administrators how to protect your websites and Sitefinity instance from external threats. Learn to configure HTTPS, SSL, allow lists for trusted sites, and cookie security, among others.

Foundations of Sitefinity ASP.NET Core Development

The free on-demand video course teaches developers how to use Sitefinity .NET Core and leverage its decoupled architecture and new way of coding against the platform.

Was this article helpful?