How can i make the Search Center Site a replica of FAST Search Center ? is it possible ?

Question

 

After my analysis ( via BLogs / Technet Articles) , i found that difference b/w FAST Search Center and Search Center site is that there is a difference of some webparts of Result page of both . So, if i make add some webparts to Search Center Result page , Search Center Siet will be equal to FAST Search Center site .

am i correct ? If not , what the difference due to which i will always have to use Search Center and FAST Search Center as 2 different site templates ?

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Vipin Kumar Tanwar ( Technology Architect )

Answer 1

You are right, main differences are related to web parts.

I suggest to use site template that is more usefull for you requirements because some features could be attached, maybe in the future, via feature or upgrade of specific site template (feature stapling is an example or with code on feature activation method that check some conditions).

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Marco Rizzi @Avanade Italy http://blog.marcorizzi.com

Answer 2

Hi Marco,

I am trying to resolve following problem by asking this question:

I have a SP2010 Publishing site and have created FAST Search applications ( Content SSA and Query SSA ) so that we can use FAST as search engine .

We are using V4.master with SP2010 Publishign site . And wanted that when user search from search textbox available on V4.master , FAST result search page is displayed and navigation of Search result page is similar to Publishing site .

We wanted to use OOTB Navigation control only for Navigation and i understand that Search center result page use minimal.master. Because of OOTB Navigation control , i believe , i cannot opt for Search Center/Fast Search Center as another Site Collection other than my SP2010 Publishign site .

I thought of 3 options of achieving the same :

a) SP2010 Publishing site comes with a Search center by default . Copy the Search result page from a FAST Search site and paste it into the Page library of Search center site . And then via Site Settings -> Search Settings , set the Custom search result page as the new result page just added in Search center site .

b) By creating FAST Search center site as a subsite within the Publishing site .  then via Site Settings -> Search Settings , set the Custom search result page as the result page of FAST Search Site .

c) Adding the required webparts in Search Center site result page , so that Search Center result page is eual to FAST Center result page .

And then after selecting one of the above options , change the minimal.master page to include OOTB navigation control present in V4.master .

Which is the best option above ? and does all of my my above statements hold good .

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Vipin Kumar Tanwar ( Technology Architect )

Answer 3

Suggestion i am going with all research :

 

Dont try to create replicate .

Use Search Center and FAST Search Center as approprate

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Vipin Kumar Tanwar ( Technology Architect ) [e-mail]