I wanted to transfer characters from my old 5.8 server setup to a new more updated 5.8 server setup. I think this same process will kind of work when going from a lower patch/server revision and upwards. If you want to downgrade though, I think that will be harder because new items might get added as the revisions go up, so keep that in mind that missing item/gear ID's may cause errors and crashes upon login or character loading.
The biggest clue to what I needed to do was in the Database command prompt once I try to log in. If you get an error, chances are the error is posted in the log. Be sure to read it slowly because it usually gives clues, such as if an item ID is missing, or if a value references to something else that's not creating (such as moving a 6.2 character to a 5.8 server for example).
Anyways, this is what I did. I went into the database of my old server using Navicat and I dumped "Structure & Data" from the "al_server_gs" database and the "al_server_ls" database. Make a backup of this and keep it safe.
Then, I closed down the old server and disconnected it from the MySQL database, and then loaded up my new server. In there I made sure that I could create a brand NEW account, create a NEW character, and also load it into the world. Make sure to verify your new server can successfully create and play new level 1 accounts first!
Once that is done, go ahead and close your client. Go into Navicat for your new server's database, make sure that the "al_server_gs" database and the "al_server_ls" database have been created and you see the Tables inside each database (this should be good assuming you logged into a new account and character).
For moving from same revision server to another same revision server, simply execute the "al_server_gs" and the "al_server_ls" files you made a backup of, into each respective new database. In other words, right click on "al_server_gs", hit Execute, and execute the "al_server_gs.sql" file you made a backup of and overwrite everything. Do the same for "al_server_ls".
I literally tried to log into my old character with same login ID and password and it worked, then loaded up the character just fine. If you get any errors at all inside your client, check the database CMD prompt for any errors. Check the "Log" folder inside the "AL-Game" folder and open "Error.txt" for easier viewing.
Once you verify everything is good, I highly suggest making a database backup. Simply dump the Structure & Data once more on your new server, and save the two .sql files you get from that.
If you want to go to another server revision (which I have NOT tried myself), I'm guessing that the process is exactly the same, however there's a larger chance for database errors. Remember that downgrading server's means downgrading items, and if your server cannot load a new item on your character, it will not load into the world.
I recommend either manually editing the Tables in the new server's gameserver and login server, or perhaps deleting all the items/gear on your character and bags, and re-adding it once you log into your new server. Again I have NOT tested this method myself, I have no idea if you can transfer over a character with a server downgrade. Be sure to take screenshots of everything and write down any item or gear ID's you have.
Good luck! I'm just a scrub learning something new every day. I will not be monitoring this thread, I'm just trying to pass down learned knowledge and hopefully this can help someone in the future.
The biggest clue to what I needed to do was in the Database command prompt once I try to log in. If you get an error, chances are the error is posted in the log. Be sure to read it slowly because it usually gives clues, such as if an item ID is missing, or if a value references to something else that's not creating (such as moving a 6.2 character to a 5.8 server for example).
Anyways, this is what I did. I went into the database of my old server using Navicat and I dumped "Structure & Data" from the "al_server_gs" database and the "al_server_ls" database. Make a backup of this and keep it safe.
Then, I closed down the old server and disconnected it from the MySQL database, and then loaded up my new server. In there I made sure that I could create a brand NEW account, create a NEW character, and also load it into the world. Make sure to verify your new server can successfully create and play new level 1 accounts first!
Once that is done, go ahead and close your client. Go into Navicat for your new server's database, make sure that the "al_server_gs" database and the "al_server_ls" database have been created and you see the Tables inside each database (this should be good assuming you logged into a new account and character).
For moving from same revision server to another same revision server, simply execute the "al_server_gs" and the "al_server_ls" files you made a backup of, into each respective new database. In other words, right click on "al_server_gs", hit Execute, and execute the "al_server_gs.sql" file you made a backup of and overwrite everything. Do the same for "al_server_ls".
I literally tried to log into my old character with same login ID and password and it worked, then loaded up the character just fine. If you get any errors at all inside your client, check the database CMD prompt for any errors. Check the "Log" folder inside the "AL-Game" folder and open "Error.txt" for easier viewing.
Once you verify everything is good, I highly suggest making a database backup. Simply dump the Structure & Data once more on your new server, and save the two .sql files you get from that.
If you want to go to another server revision (which I have NOT tried myself), I'm guessing that the process is exactly the same, however there's a larger chance for database errors. Remember that downgrading server's means downgrading items, and if your server cannot load a new item on your character, it will not load into the world.
I recommend either manually editing the Tables in the new server's gameserver and login server, or perhaps deleting all the items/gear on your character and bags, and re-adding it once you log into your new server. Again I have NOT tested this method myself, I have no idea if you can transfer over a character with a server downgrade. Be sure to take screenshots of everything and write down any item or gear ID's you have.
Good luck! I'm just a scrub learning something new every day. I will not be monitoring this thread, I'm just trying to pass down learned knowledge and hopefully this can help someone in the future.
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