Is it possible to upgrade Confluence software directly from 5.1.5 to the latest version? (5.9.6)

[Tim Rosenberger]

Basically I got stuck at 5.1.5 due to software issues, hardware issues and project priority issues.  As the subject line asks, can I upgrade directly from one to the other (ie appropriate supported Java and database/server software along the way) or will I have to break the journey up into several rest stops along the way?

[Phill Fox]

If you look at https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/confluence-release-notes-327.html this shows all the releases between 5.1.5 and 5.9.6 you will need to look for the latest version that supports an upgrade from 5.1.5 and take this as one upgrade. 

Repeat this step for each resting point. 

Please do not quote me but a quick review looks like you would need to do something like....

5.1.5 -> 5.3.4 ->5.4.x -> 5.5.0 -> 5.7.0 -> 5.8.0 -> 5.9.x

You should of course test all of these upgrades in a development environment first in case there is anything specific to your installation.

[Tim Rosenberger]

To make my steps as big as possible I started my review at the top end, working backward, and, according to https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/upgrading-confluence-4578.html I could jump directly from 5.1 up to 5.9.  So I tried it in a development environment.  I did have to update my Java toolkit to a 1.8 version from the 1.7 version compatible with 5.1.5, but otherwise, it went off fairly cleanly, likely due to my relative lack of customization.

The only hitch I've come across so far is that my space directory links back to my production installation, rather than referencing the localhost.  Is this likely to remain an issue when I repeat the process to move and update my production database? 

[Tim Rosenberger]

More info:  I have no special add-ins, and I am resigned to rebuilding any templates and blueprints I may have used previously.