Project Rescue - Furnitubes

At RedFire Digital, we thrive on solving complex problems and delivering results, even for legacy systems. If your business is struggling with an outdated website or application, let us help you breathe new life into it.

Background

The client came to us with a daunting situation: their website, built with Symfony 1 and running on PHP 5.3, was on the brink of disaster.

• No active development support: Symfony 1 reached its end-of-life long ago, leaving the website vulnerable and unsupported.

• Limited resources: The only assets we received were a ZIP folder of the project files and a database dump.

• Hosting problems: The website was hosted on an expensive shared cPanel setup that offered limited control and flexibility.

• Urgency: The website needed to be operational as quickly as possible to minimize downtime.

What we did

Faced with these constraints, we implemented a multi-step strategy to ensure the website could be restored, stabilized, and future-proofed. Here’s what we did:

1. Assessing the ZIP Folder and Database Dump

The first step was to carefully examine the ZIP folder and database dump provided by the client. This involved:

• Understanding the codebase: We reviewed the Symfony 1 architecture to identify any critical customizations or dependencies.

• Validating the database: Ensuring that the SQL dump was complete and compatible with the legacy code.

2. Establishing a Local Development Environment

To recreate the client’s setup, we created a local development environment that mimicked their old hosting environment. This included:

• Installing PHP 5.3 and configuring it to work seamlessly with Symfony 1.

• Setting up a local database instance to restore the dump and verify its integrity.

• Running tests to confirm that the website files and database were functioning as expected.

3. Collaborating with the Hosting Provider

Time was of the essence, so we worked closely with the client’s previous hosting provider to:

• Gain access to any residual configuration details that could aid in the migration.

• Minimize downtime during the relocation process.

4. Migrating to a New Hosting Solution

The shared cPanel setup was both costly and restrictive. We relocated the project to a more cost-effective and flexible hosting environment, ensuring:

• Enhanced performance: By selecting a hosting provider optimized for legacy PHP applications.

• Improved control: Offering the client better access to server-level configurations.

• Cost savings: Reducing unnecessary expenses from the previous hosting setup.

5. Updating and Stabilizing the Codebase

Given the outdated nature of PHP 5.3 and Symfony 1, we implemented as many updates and patches as possible without rewriting the entire application. These updates included:

• Fixing deprecated PHP functions to improve compatibility.

• Addressing security vulnerabilities inherent in older PHP versions.

Result

Thanks to our quick action and strategic approach, the client’s website was up and running in no time. Here’s what we achieved:

• Minimal downtime: The transition to the new hosting environment was seamless.

• Cost-effective hosting: The client’s hosting expenses were significantly reduced.

• Operational stability: Despite its legacy nature, the website is now functioning reliably.

• Client control: The client regained full control over their website and hosting setup.

Lessons Learned

Rescuing legacy projects like this is never easy, but it’s a rewarding experience that highlights the importance of:

• Backups: Regular backups of both files and databases can be a lifesaver.

• Future planning: While older frameworks like Symfony 1 served their purpose, modernizing the tech stack is critical for long-term sustainability.

• Collaboration: Working closely with hosting providers and clients can make all the difference in high-pressure situations.