Linux Jira Upgrade

[Eamon Ohuallachain]

I am looking at these two articles. 

https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/upgrading-jira-server-manual-938846939.html

https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/upgrading-jira-server-installer-938846937.html

Jira upgrade on Linux.

Manual instructions: 

1. Extract (unzip) the files to a directory (this is your new installation directory, and must be different to your existing installation directory). 

2. Point Jira to your existing Jira home directory.

Installer Instructions 

1. Make sure the Existing Jira installation directory suggested by the wizard is correct (especially important if you have multiple Jira installations on the same machine.)
   
   
2. If you have already backed up the Jira home directory, clear the Back up the Jira home directory check box to avoid creating an extra backup. 

Should I be concerned that the installer wizard writes over the current install of Jira. 

[Michael Thompson · Accepted solution]

I wouldn't worry. I use the installer for my upgrades, and it is pretty thorough and provides good information prior to actually starting the install itself, including providing a list of all the custom files you may have that you'll want to manually back up before proceeding.

Over time I've come to use the installers backup of the Jira home directory over doing it myself. This, of course, assumes you have the time to let it complete the backup and also perform the upgrade in your maintenance window. If not, back it up yourself ahead of time and then deselect the option as in installer instructions step 2.

As with any upgrade, do a test run in your test environment to catch any surprises that might pop up. Better safe than sorry!