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Next Steps for Drupal to WordPress Migration at CERN

As we approach the general rollout of WordPress at CERN, and following recent discussions about website customisation, here’s what current Drupal website owners and administrators need to know:

✅ What You Need to Do

All Drupal websites fall into one of two categories: customised and non-customised. A website is customised if it contains functionality (i.e. modules, embeddings, or a custom theme) not supported by the CERN Drupal Distribution. Any website using the CERN Override Theme is considered customised. As of April 2025, all websites administrators have received direct e-mail communication explaining whether their website is customised or not. All non-customised websites will be migrated in a fully automated manner without any action necessary. This process will initiate in a batched manner starting July 2025 and run throughout the rest of the year. Once a copy on WordPress has been generated, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to check and verify the WordPress version. Only once this copy has been checked and verified will it be promoted to production.

However, if Drupal website uses custom modules, action is necessary:

🔍 Identify and Remove Custom Modules

  • Custom modules must be uninstalled for your site to be eligible for the automated migration.
  • Not sure which modules are custom or how they are used?

⚙️ How the Migration Will Work

  • Automated migrations begin July 2025 and continue in batches through the rest of the year.
  • Migration priority:
    1. Non-custom or minimally customised websites
    2. More complex/customised sites (handled later on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with website owners)
  • When your site is ready in WordPress:
    • You will receive an email to review and verify the migrated version.
    • Your original Drupal site remains active and will continue receiving traffic until you approve the new WordPress version.
  • Heavily customised Drupal sites that cannot be migrated automatically will be reviewed individually.

🔔 Important Notes

  • Drupal will remain active during the transition period.
  • Switch to WordPress happens only after your approval.
  • If your site does not use custom modules, no further action is needed.

ℹ️ More Information

📝 Summary Checklist

  • [ ] Check if your Drupal site uses custom modules
  • [ ] If yes, clone your site and test removing custom modules
  • [ ] If successful, uninstall modules from the live site
  • [ ] Await automated migration (starts July 2025)
  • [ ] Review and approve your WordPress version when notified
  • [ ] Drupal site stays online until you approve the switch