how to exchnage the urls for 2 web applications

Question

I have two web applications that can be accessed by the following urls:

Now I want to swap the web applications urls. So I am thinking of the following approach:

Take a backup of all the site collections on the first and second web application.
Permanently delete all the site collections.
Restore the backup files of the site collection to the new locations.

Can anyone advise if my above approach is considered valid?

Thanks

actually, moving content databases method could be much easier! — Vamsi K K, Commented Sep 15, 2015 at 11:52
@VamsiKK what about the site collections them-selfs ? will they get moved by moving the content DB ? — John John, Commented Sep 15, 2015 at 11:56

Waqas Sarwar MVP · Accepted Answer · 2015-09-15 13:47:13Z

4

Two easy options i am thinking about.

Method # 1

Method # 2

answered Sep 15, 2015 at 13:47

Waqas Sarwar MVP♦

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but i tried my approach on a test server , where i took a backup for all the site collections. then i delete the site collections from the web applications. now i got 2 web applications without any site collections. then i restore the site collection to the desired web application.. and seems it is working well,, so is this a valid approach ? although it might require more effort compare to what u are suggesting ,, but i am more comfortable with it, but not sure if this will cause behind the scene problems ?
– John John
Commented Sep 15, 2015 at 14:43
1

I would say, this approach is doing a simple work in hard way....yesterday in one of my HR session...instructor asked me do you want smarter or hard? so no offense but your method is hard....i would personally go with db detached and attached...5 min total.
– Waqas Sarwar MVP ♦
Commented Sep 15, 2015 at 14:47
Yes, content DB is much easier. Also, don't forget that you have to install solutions on the new web application. not all solutions are globally deployed! You also need to worry about any web config changes that need to be moved.
– Vamsi K K
Commented Sep 16, 2015 at 20:44

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