database migration between different machines

[George Koulomzin]

Thanks!  In particular, while looking over the FAQ, I followed the link 
to the SQLite FAQ, which is quite explicit: "might not work correctly if 
the database file is kept on an NFS filesystem. This is because fcntl() 
file locking is broken on many NFS implementations."  This makes it 
clear that the DataBase files (e.g. Digikam4.db et al) must be on a 
non-networked FS.   It does not seem to prohibit (performance issues 
aside) to have the actual image files (jpg, raw, etc.) on a network 
mounted drive, as that is not were the locking occurs .

Have I understood correctly?

On 11/21/2025 4:49 AM, Gilles Caulier wrote:
> By "The image collections must be located in the same folder
> structure", Maik talks about the root album path must be the same. The
> items in the database are referenced in relatif to the album root
> path.
>
> I created a new FAQ entry in digiKam.org web site about this topic:
>
> https://www.digikam.org/documentation/faq/#how-to-migrate-a-database-between-different-computers
>
> Best regards
>
> Gilles Caulier
>
> Le ven. 21 nov. 2025 à 04:28, George Koulomzin <George at koulomzin.com> a écrit :
>> It's the phrase "The image collections must be located in the same
>> folder structure" in your reply to Antonio that got me wondering?  Maybe
>> I misunderstood....
>>
>> On 11/17/2025 9:41 PM, George Koulomzin wrote:
>>> Maik,
>>>
>>> What are the consequences of having the collections on a windows
>>> network drive with SQLite.  It seems to work for me, but I want to
>>> make sure there are no nasty surprises later on....
>>>
>>> George
>>>
>>> On 11/17/2025 3:17 PM, Maik Qualmann wrote:
>>>> If it's an SQLite database, simply copy the digiKam4.db file. The image
>>>> collections must be located in the same folder structure. Update the
>>>> base path
>>>> using the "Update" function in the digiKam collection settings.
>>>>
>>>> Maik
>>>>
>>>> Am Montag, 17. November 2025, 11:57:13 Mitteleuropäische Normalzeit
>>>> schrieb
>>>> Antonio Angelo:
>>>>> Hi all!
>>>>> I want to migrate databases from a Ubuntu 24 notebook with Digikam
>>>>> 8.7 to a
>>>>> new prepared Debian 13 PC. I just installed Digikam 8.8 to Debian 13
>>>>> PC and
>>>>> would like to have the same tags and images infos of the other DK 8.7
>>>>> installation. How to proceed?
>>>>> Thank you in advance.
>>>>> --
>>>>> Antonio Angelo
>>>>>
>>>>> Inviato con la posta elettronica sicura [Proton
>>>>> Mail](https://proton.me/mail/home).
>>>>
>>>>
>> --
>> George Koulomzin
>> 7 Bridge Hill Lane,
>> PO Box 781
>> Bridgehampton, NY, 11932
>> (m) 914-393-6179
>> (h) 631-537-4956
>> George at Koulomzin.com
>>
-- 
George Koulomzin
7 Bridge Hill Lane,
PO Box 781
Bridgehampton, NY, 11932
(m) 914-393-6179
(h) 631-537-4956
George at Koulomzin.com