Updating from Connections 5.0 to 7.0

HCL Connections Connections Forum
1

Hi,

I have a very old release of Connections 5.0 in place. If I am not wrong, to update to Connections 7 I have to do a lot of previous updates. I read the "roadmap" for upgrading here -> https://support.hcltechsw.com/csm?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0076286&sys_kb_id=10da4baf1b2f0854c1f9759d1e4bcb31 but not sure if I understood everything correctly, I would appreciate confirmation, suggestions or tricks.

Shoud I do 3 migrations ? First from 5.0 to 6.0CR1, then to 6.5 and finally to 7.0 ? Seriously ? Are all 3 migrations FULL migrations where I should do all the steps of installing a new product ?

Also, to make things worse, I am using, inside connections, an application to manage projects and reporting (ProjExec). Will be able to still using that product on Connections 7 and mantain the actual data on it ?

Thks!

2

Hi Andres,

the linked technote suggests an in-place upgrade from 5.0 to 6.5 (or 7.0).

Anyway, due to the "very old release" I would recommend a side-by-side migration. That means:

1. Install Connections 7.0

2. Implement customizations

3. Perform tests and verify add-ons like ProjExec ... if ProjExec already supports Connections 7.0 you have to check with your contact at Trilog Group

4. Test a data migration side-by-side, which includes (on high level)

- Backup Conn70 databases / Backup shared data directory in target environment

- Data export from Conn50 database source environment and import into target environment using dbt, see https://help.hcltechsw.com/connections/v6/admin/migrate/t_update_databases_side-by-side.html

(NOTE: You have to drop the Conn70 databases and create new one using the database scripts for Conn50 databases, depending on your CR-level of your current Conn50 environment you have to apply the database update scripts as well)

- Database schema upgrade from Conn50 schema level to Conn70 (using Connections database wizard or manually by executing all db schema upgrade scripts up to Conn70: Conn50 CRx -> Conn55 -> Conn55CR3 -> Conn60 -> Conn60CR6 -> Conn65CR1 -> Conn70)

- Data migration from shared data (see https://help.hcltechsw.com/connections/v6/admin/migrate/t_copy_content-store.html

- Post migration tasks (https://help.hcltechsw.com/connections/v6/admin/migrate/t_post-migration_tasks.html)

- Test Connections 7.0 installation with the migrated and upgraded databases (and imported shared data)

5. If all tests are successful and you have a complete migration plan, perform the final productive migration

So, from my experience it is not required to install a complete Connections 5.5 / 6.0 / 6.5 environment to tests interim migration steps. But upgrading such a "very old release" requires a lot of planning up-front ... as you have consider a lot of changes and upgrade steps.

Maik