best path from Zimbra 6.08 FOSS debian5 32 to zimbra 8.02 NE ubuntu12.04 64 bit ?

Hi,
Having put off upgrades for a long time, I think it's time to bite the bullet and upgrade my zimbra install to the latest version.
At the same moment, I'd like to go from the FOSS to the NE Starter Edition.

My config now: Debian 5.09 - 32 bits - Zimbra 6.0.8 FOSS
My goal: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS - 64 bits - Zimbra 8.0.2 NE Starter Edition

I've settled on Ubuntu because it is similar to Debian ( which I know & prefer).

Is this a recommendable path? the hope is that each step induces the least amount of 'pain'

1) debian 32 > debian 64 bits - Zimbra 6.08 FOSS
2) debian 64 > ubuntu 10.04 LTS - Zimbra 6.08 FOSS
3) Zimbra 6.08 FOSS > zimbra 8.02 FOSS - Ubuntu 10
4) Ubuntu 10 > 12.04 - Zimbra 8.02 FOSS
5) Zimbra FOSS > NE

best regards
glenn

Upgrade your current server to the most recent release available (7.2.2 at the time of this post) then move that to a new server (exact same version) then upgrade that to the most recent ZCS 8.x version (you should be able to go straight to NE). Read the Zimbra Certified wiki article on moving ZCS from a 32-bit to 64-bit server (it's for NE but it applies to the OSS version - just omit any NE steps) - read it, try it and make sure it works before finally committing to the new server. You could also take a look at a very simple solution by using the ZeXtras migration tool - I've tested that in several migration settings and it works a treat. :) As always, make sure you take adequate backups during this process and a recovery procedure in case anything goes wrong and read (in detail) the Release Notes to make sure there's nothing that will catch you out.

thank you for your reply

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phoenix

...then move that to a new server (exact same version) ....

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Is the transition from 32 to 64 bits best done here?

I test all the steps first on virtual machines before doing the real migration.
my first few -failed- attempts have cost some time and yielded numerous pitfalls, but hopefully will result in a successful upgrade

I'll check out the zextras tool

Quote:

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Originally Posted by glenndm

Is the transition from 32 to 64 bits best done here?

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Yes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by glenndm

II test all the steps first on virtual machines before doing the real migration.

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Always a good idea and easy with VMs, I do it myself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by glenndm

Imy first few -failed- attempts have cost some time and yielded numerous pitfalls, but hopefully will result in a successful upgrade

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It should be fairly straightfforward but not as easy as the ZeXtras solution although that does require some checking of your 'old' server, details on the ZeXtras website for the migration tool. The ZeXtras route allows you to have the new ZCS 8 server installed and just migrate the configuration and data without all the intermediate steps.

Well it is done. zcs 802 is purring (very very quietly) on a macmini/esxi

The transition itself: after another few attempts, it dawned on me that the amount of mail accounts I'm using is so limited, it would be much easier/faster to simply export the accounts, install the new version and import the accounts.
It took about 4hours and no headaches at all.