Migrate Confluence Database from old SQL 2008 R2 to new SQL 2019 Database in a different server

[andy zhu]

Our current confluence server version is 6.4.2 and the backend SQL server database all running on the same server.

Now we want to migrate the backend SQL database 2008R2 for the Confluence server to a new SQL 2019 on a different server instance, 

How we can do that? From what I understand, it should be something like this:

1. backup the current SQL 2008R2 database

2. Restore the backup to the new SQL 2019 database in a different server

3. Configure the Confluence server's database connection settings and point to the new SQL server.

Are we correct?

If so, where is the database configuration settings stored?

[JimmyVanAU]

Hi Andy,

Your mileage may vary, but I'd like to point out a few things first.

Confluence 6.4 is very old (end-of-life Atlassian Support End of Life Policy | Atlassian Support | Atlassian Documentation) so you're running unsupported as I'm guessing the admin reminders would tell you.

After a little sleuthing, Confluence 6.4 was released in September 2017 while SQL Server 2019 was released in November 2019, so they have definitely not been tested together. Whatever you do, it is strongly recommended you test in a non-production environment.

Database configurations are typically stored in confluence.cfg.xml, stored in Confluence home directory (Confluence Home and other important directories | Confluence Data Center and Server 7.12 | Atlassian Documentation).

In terms of migration, this is typically done with xml imports.

1. Existing system - do full system xml export
2. Back up existing install + home directory + database
3. Set up brand new 2019 database
4. Set up a brand new Confluence 6.4 install
5. Find the appropriate database driver (may or may not be compatible)
6. If you're still going, point the new install to the 2019 database and see if it connects.
7. If it does, continue setup then import the xml you previously exported.
8. Migrate all the attachments and other data.

This is an abridged version of Migrating to Another Database | Confluence Data Center and Server 7.12 | Atlassian Documentation

Cheers, Jimmy