Migrate Site Collection of one web application into another Web Application

The first approach, a site collection backup performed by STSADM.exe –o backup –url <urL> or use Backup-SPSite cmdlet.

The other approach, a site collection export performed by STSADM.exe –o export or use Export-SPWeb

The Export approach generated a new GUID for every objects such as sites, sub sites, lists and items.

If you want to move entire site collection, use Backup/Restore method

If you want to move a subsite use Export/Import method

How to run the command using PowerShell:

On the Start menu, click All Programs.

Click Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Products.

Click SharePoint 2010 Management Shell.

Export-SPWeb siteurl –Path C:\sitebackup.bak

If you want to export/import the sites

Backup-SPSite -Identity "https://../sites/oldsite" -Path "C:\sitebackup.bak"

Restore-SPSite -Identity "https://../sites/newsite" -Path "C:\sitebackup.bak"

If you want to move entire site collection from Farm A to Farm B, Following are the steps:

1. Create a empty web application in Farm B. Dont create any site collections

2. Copy the source database to the Target database.

3. Use Mount SP Database on the Farm B

4. Take a backup of the site collection from Farm A and Restore it on Farm B