Upgrade instructions

[ed_aldridge]

Hi

I'm struggling to find any instructions on how to upgrade from CE 3.3g to CE3.4a, is it as simple as running the installer?  I'm on CentOS 5.

Thanks
Ed

[ahbao]

it should still fit with the

http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/General_Upgrade_Process

?

[ed_aldridge]

From reading the instructions it appears that I have to create a whole new instance of Alfresco in order to upgrade!?  Does anyone know how this will impact on SSL certificate settings in tomcat?  Will I have to get a new certificate or will the keystore get backed up as part of the main backup?

[ed_aldridge]

I would like confirmation that I am reading the upgrade document correctly before I go ahead.

First I install a new clean Alfresco install using the latest version, then I restore the old versions database over the top of the newly created database, lastly I copy the old Alfresco instances files over to the new installation directory….is that about right?

[nickswift]

Nearly. You want to do a cold backup and restore.

1) Start by taking a backup of your existing system as per the wiki (see ahbao's post below) when it is shutdown.
2) Do a fresh install of the new version of alfresco. Choose a different database name and different directories for tomcat packages. Make sure it works i.e. you can login as an admin.
3) Stop the new version.
4) Restore the database and alf_data into the new version.

When you restart alfresco, any modifications needed to the database will be automatically performed. You should test the new version to make sure it's behaving as you expect. Once you're happy, you can remove the old database and alf_data from your previous version.

While this might seem a bit cumbersome, it will guarantee that you don't lose any data (unless you choose to delete it by mistake).

Nick

[ed_aldridge]

4) Restore the database and alf_data into the new version.

Hi Nick

Thanks for the clarification and the simplified instructions!

Just to confirm, I only need to copy the alf_data folder over to the new install? 

Do you know if this upgrade process will impact on any SSL certificates?

Thanks again
Ed

P.S not just cumbersome but slightly insane…I don't think I have ever come across a piece of software where you have to build a completely new instance to upgrade (outside of operating systems anyway)

[ssaravanan]

Its always good to document the setup process for your initial Alfresco Setup, for instance
-> steps taken to achieve ssl
-> AD configuration ,etc
When you want to upgrade your existing instance of Alfresco, just two things to do
copy the alf_data and the db associated with it.

Install the new version of Alfresco which takes 10 -15 mins with 3.4a
then edit the alfresco-global.properties file to point to the old alf_data and db & follow
the steps you did for your previous installation (like AD config, ssl , etc)
I think it makes perfect sense with the entire upgrade process. Its just
how you document the  setup process for your initial Alfresco Setup
which will be helpful for upgrades.

[ed_aldridge]

I am relatively new to Alfresco and from what I have seen so far from the Company and the product is that it has its peculiarities which defy documentation, I have my AD config all sorted but it took an Alfresco guru performing strange rituals and incantations to resolve our SSL issues so I am slightly nervous of any process that runs the risk of breaking what at the moment is a perfectly workable system (albeit one with a few gremlins here and there).

Thanks for your input on this subject.