Upgrading from Debian 8 v15.5 to Debian 9 v16

[TaylorStevens23]

Hi I plan on upgrading our server soon and would like some feedback on my plan and if I am missing any steps. Currently we are running a Debian 8 server locally with V15.5 of 3CX. My plan is as follows:

1. Do a full backup of v15.5 and move backup to safe location
2. Uninstall 3CX from Debian 8 machine then take machine off the network
3. Stand up Debian 9 server at same IP with version 16 installed
4. Use the Restore an Existing Backup Configuration feature and use the backup taken from v15.5
5. Testing
- Extensions, Queues, Outbound/Inbound, DIDs, IVR, Phone App

I am also wondering, if all of our office phone are provisioned locally and we stand the new server up at the same IP and restore from backup, will our office phones need to be re-provisioned? This is my first upgrade with 3CX and I want to make sure I am doing things correctly. Thanks in advance!

 

[NicholasP_3CX]

First of all, I would advise to bring Version 15.5 up to the latest Update (Update 6) Then do your backup.

1. YES! A backup is always important!
2. Yes.
3. Do the restore of the Version 15.5 backup DURING the Version 16 installation. Don't install Version 16 and then restore.

If the internal IP address of the PBX is the same, the phones will just re-REGISTER onto the same IP address.

You will probably need to update the phones' firmware as well when you finish the installation.

But you generally have the right idea.

If you were going to keep the same machine, you wouldn't need to do all of this, but just go through the service pack updates. One of the updates which would show up, would be an update from Debian 8 to Debian 9.

 

[TaylorStevens23]

First of all, I would advise to bring Version 15.5 up to the latest Update (Update 6) Then do your backup.

1. YES! A backup is always important!
2. Yes.
3. Do the restore of the Version 15.5 backup DURING the Version 16 installation. Don't install Version 16 and then restore.

If the internal IP address of the PBX is the same, the phones will just re-REGISTER onto the same IP address.

You will probably need to update the phones' firmware as well when you finish the installation.

But you generally have the right idea.

If you were going to keep the same machine, you wouldn't need to do all of this, but just go through the service pack updates. One of the updates which would show up, would be an update from Debian 8 to Debian 9.

Thank you for the feedback! I feel much more confident in my plan now. Just want to clarify, when you say do the restore of version 15.5 during the installation of 16 you are referencing using the PBX Web Configuration Tool during the installation process to restore, correct?

 

[cobaltit]

https://www.3cx.com/docs/manual/configuring-your-pbx/

When he says restore during the installation, he means restore during the installation. Whether you chose the web or the command line tool is up to you

 

[BrenttG]

its also not technically required to uninstall 15.5 from the old server, just shut it off.... Then if the project flops sideways you can go back just by turning it back on....