Unable to modify Namespace on Exported Lists when moving to QC / Production

Question

I've created several lists and infopath based on external content types (SQL Server) and was able to export / import the ECTs to QC server environment - with no issues.
However, any and all attempts to migrate my lists and forms that use the ECTs - results in a failure because i cannot change the development URL (namespace) to a QC / Production URL.
It's frustrating that "migration" or "deployment" doesn't have support for modifying the actual URL used by created Lists/Forms "built in".
My first thought was "Content Deployment", but I was told that doesn't work with ECTs...
Any help would be appreciated.
- Dan

Answer 1

Hi,
According to your post, my understanding is that you wanted to
migrate several lists and forms based on external content types to QC server environment.
I recommend that you can export the external content types to
an XML file which are saved with a .bdcm file extension first
by using the SharePoint Designer 2010 or using the Business Data Connectivity Service Application in Central Administration.
Then, you can find <Entity Namespace> in the XML file and you can modify the URL to your
QC server environment URL and migrate the external lists to your product environment.
In addition, you can try to save the site containing the External List and forms as a template. This template will appear as a WSP file in the Site Collection gallery.
And, you can save the WSP file out of the gallery, and open the WSP file in Visual Studio 2010 using the import WSP project.
Then, you can make a new WSP file and move the External lists to your product environment by deploy them with a feature.
For more information, you can refer to:
http://camerondwyer.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/how-to-export-sharepoint-2010-external-content-types-bdc-metadata-models-to-xml-file/
http://gadekarsatish.blogspot.com/2013/10/import-export-list-in-sharepoint-using.html
http://jimecox.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/deploying-an-external-list-to-new-siteinstance-via-feature/
Here are some similar threads for your reference:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/sharepoint/en-US/2f5ddeef-011f-4827-8c22-67c8c85e93c6/moving-a-site-w-external-lists-bcs-to-another-environmentserver
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/6ecd1a7d-5a1f-4fbd-8360-1432ccbb07a1/moving-external-list-bcs-infopath-forms-to-another-sharepoint-instance?forum=sharepointdevelopmentprevious
Best Regards,
Linda Li
TechNet Community Support