the best path to upgrade Avaya Communication messaging 6.3.x to 7.0 on AVP

[bakzazam]

A friend of mine asked me this question and I couldn't answer it
they have avaya messaging 6.3 on System platform (one storage and two application servers)duplication to another storage is done thru Mutare and another two app servers ( all 6.3)
I checked on the Documentation and it's not clear to start with which server to migrate to 7.0
should I upgrade the Storage first ( backup then install AVP then deploy the Messaging VM then restore ) or should I start with the App servers
or maybe to start with the remote storage server and the two app servers
I will appreciate an answer ( the hardware and licenses are available for upgrade )

 

[kyle555]

Always do your storage server first.

Even if you're entitled to an upgrade, I'm not sure you'll get everything you need without an order first. Maybe you can get the licenses you need out of PLDS without an order, but I'm sure Avaya would prefer it. Even if it's for $0.01 line items and to line up your entitlements properly. If you're missing 1 little thing, you have an order sitting in the way after you've nuked your main storage server.

Otherwise, I've never dealt much with Mutare. I was under the impression that they needed to do everything on their box. If you're familiar with that, I'd be curious to know if you've upgraded systems like older MMs with the Mutare Mirror without their help or pro services involved.

 

[bakzazam]

Interesting ,
I thought I won t need their help because their system is getting the data from a storage server and duplicate it to the other one
no IP change nor trusted servers change
but I am curious now to see all the INs and Outs of the Mutare server to anticipate a misbehavior along the way
Indeed I do have to double check with Avaya about all the Licenses ( we should be entitled to upgrade to the latest existing version)
now my question is should I do all the MAS and the MSS in one day or you thing an APP on 6,3 can talk with a storage server 7.X
Thank you very much Kyle555

 

[Wanebo]

Mutare replicates the user data and message store on the storage server from the active side to the standby but there really aren't that many ins and outs that Mutare lets you play with on your own. And it's probable that the Mutare piece of your upgrade path is simply to make sure you are running a version of it that plays nice with 7.0, and then to shut off mirroring when you start the upgrade and don't turn it back on until all the other pieces are at 7.0 and have Mutare validate it is working properly in the new environment.

I don't think AAM 7.0 will play with other pieces being AAM 6.3. At least I'm pretty sure Avaya will not suggest even trying that. I think the plan would probably be to upgrade all the pieces on your backup side starting with the storage server and then the 2 application servers. After that is all up and running swing production to the upgraded backup side and after that runs a day successfully do the upgrade on the other side again starting with the storage server. After that has all been brought up swing production back to it.