Install new JIRA instance to connect to existing database

[Jeremy Hodges]

We have had a disastrous (non-recoverable) failure of the server that was hosting our JIRA instance. Luckily the database was hosted on a different server so is still available (running on PostgreSQL but probably not relevant).

I think that we were running JIRA 7.2 (installed October 2017).

What do I have to consider when installing a new JIRA instance to pick up the existing database?

Do I have to install 7.2 first and then migrate to a newer version?

Can I install a newer version without having to worry about DB compatibility?

Thanks for any ideas.

[Craig Castle-Mead]

Hey Jeremy,

First step I would suggest is to get a backup (or two) of the database and home directory (where the attachments are) just Incase the attempted restore goes wrong.

Start by getting the system up and running on the same version you were on (this post https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Jira-Core-questions/Is-there-a-way-to-find-out-jira-version-directly-from-the/qaq-p/51754 has some suggestions to find the version) - in a recovery situation like this, minimizing the changes simplifies things and keeps possible issues to a minimum. 

General steps (usual disclaimer about no responsibility if these instructions are not 100% accurate and/or cause issues with your environment):

- backup whatever is left

- determine the version of JIRA you were running

- download that version (zip/tar.gz - I wouldn’t suggest the installer, but that’s just me)

- unarchive the JIRA application you just downloaded and place it in your preferred application location

- apply any relevant customizations (setenv/server.xml etc https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/important-directories-and-files-938847744.html ), specifically the JIRA home directory reference

- check your JIRAHOME for a dbconfig.xml file (hopefully your JIRA home wasn’t impacted by whatever happened)

- set appropriate folder/file permissions so you don’t have to run as root (if it’s Linux)

- at this point, I think you’ve got everything to start the application so give it a go and monitor the logs

CCM

[Jeremy Hodges]

Probably should have clarified - the problem with the server is that two disks have gone on a RAID 5 set-up so we have no access to the old configuration. (Long story, but the first failure was not noticed)

I will find the software version by looking in our installed software repository and press on from there.

[Brant Schroeder]

You will want to install the same version.  I am assuming that you will have access to the files or a backup of the old instance.  After you recover you can update.  

Here are some additional resources that can help you - https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver075/migrating-jira-applications-to-another-server-935390960.html