Recommended Upgrade Path from Confluence 5.9.4 Linux to Window VM

[JoeU]

Hi,

We are currently running Confluence 5.9.4 that has expired support. We have been quoted on support and are interested going ahead with it but need to know what the recommended upgrade path will be going from our current Linux version to a Windows VM version. Would the current database be compatible with a newer version of a Windows VM?

Is it just as simple as spinning up a new Windows VM and export/import the DB??

Please advise.

Thanks,

Joe

[Brant Schroeder · Accepted solution]

You can do it one of two ways.  Upgrade the current server and then migrate or migrate then upgrade.  

You will need to setup the new VM application server and DB server.  Once they are up and running you will just follow the steps documented below.  

Upgrade then Migrate

1. Upgrade to to the latest version of Confluence - https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/upgrading-confluence-4578.html
2. Migrate the Database - https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/migrating-to-another-database-148867.html
3. Migrate the Server - https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/migrating-confluence-between-servers-184150.html

Migrate then Upgrade

1. Migrate the Database - https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/migrating-to-another-database-148867.html
2. Migrate the Server - https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/migrating-confluence-between-servers-184150.html
3. Upgrade to to the latest version of Confluence - https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/upgrading-confluence-4578.html

I did a Linux to Windows move several years ago and opted to migrate then upgrade.  I just made sure that I installed the same version of Confluence on the new VM.  The reason I went this route is to ensure that everything was working the same before turning off the old server and I knew it would add any issues that could have arisen from the upgrade.  Depending on your instance size the migration can take some time or go quickly.