Step-by-Step Guide to Running NopCommerce on Microsoft Azure

This tutorial provides instructions for setting up and running NopCommerce 3.1 on Microsoft Azure, utilizing Azure Cloud Services and Azure SQL Database.

Prerequisites

1. Software:

   • Visual Studio 2012
   • SQL Server 2012

2. NopCommerce Source Code:

   • Download from nopCommerce Downloads.

Step 1: Local Setup

1. Extract the NopCommerce source code and open it in Visual Studio 2012.

2. In Visual Studio:

   • Right-click on Presentation/Nop.Web and set it as the startup project.
   • Press F5 to build and run the project locally.

3. On the installation page:

   • Provide your email address and create a password for the admin account.
   • Check the Create Sample Data box.
   • Select Use SQL Server and provide database details:
     • SQL Server name: localhost\SQLExpress or equivalent.
     • Database name: e.g., nopDB.
     • SQL Server admin credentials (default: SA with the password you set during installation).

4. After installation, confirm that NopCommerce runs locally in the browser.

Step 2: Set Up Azure

1. Create an Azure Account:

   • Sign up at Azure Portal for a free trial.

2. Create Azure SQL Database Server:

   • Go to Azure Portal and navigate to SQL Databases.
   • Create a new SQL Database:
     • Choose Web Edition, 1GB.
     • Configure admin credentials and save the server name (e.g., yourserver.database.windows.net).
   • Allow your local machine to access Azure SQL Server:
     • Add your IP address under Configure > Allowed IP Addresses.

3. Migrate Local Database to Azure:

   • In SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):
     • Right-click your NopCommerce database and select Tasks > Deploy Database to SQL Azure.
     • Provide Azure SQL Server details and credentials.
     • Complete the migration process.

Step 3: Configure Azure Project in Visual Studio

1. Add an Azure Cloud Service project to your solution:

   • Right-click the solution > Add > New Project > Visual C# > Cloud > Windows Azure Cloud Service.
   • Name it nopAzure.

2. Configure settings for Nop.Web:

   • Under Presentation\Nop.Web\References\Microsoft.Web.Infrastructure, set Copy Local to True.
   • Add Nop.Web as a Web Role under nopAzure/Roles.

3. Publish the project to Azure:

   • Right-click nopAzure > Publish.
   • Sign in to Azure to import credentials.
   • Create a new Cloud Service and storage account.
   • Enable Remote Desktop and Web Deploy for all roles.
   • Complete the publishing process.

Step 4: Finalize Azure Configuration

1. Use Remote Desktop to access the Azure instance:

   • Go to Cloud Services in the Azure Portal.
   • Select the instance and connect via Remote Desktop using credentials set during publishing.

2. Configure Settings.txt:

   • Navigate to F:\sitesroot\0\App_Data on the Azure instance.

   • Create Settings.txt with the following content:

     DataProvider: sqlserver
     DataConnectionString: Data Source=tcp:{server name}.database.windows.net,1433;
     Initial Catalog={database name};
     Integrated Security=False;
     Persist Security Info=False;
     User ID={username}@{server name};
     Password={password};
     MultipleActiveResultSets=True
     

Step 5: Access Your Azure-Hosted NopCommerce

Visit {cloud service name}.cloudapp.net to access your NopCommerce site hosted on Azure.

Troubleshooting

• Admin project issues:

  • Edit the local Settings.txt to match Azure configurations for synchronized admin access.

• For efficient publishing without recreating VMs, explore deployment strategies that retain configuration files.

References

• NopCommerce Forum Thread.
• Swim in Code Documentation.