Knife Edge Upgrade
 

I'm currently planning a hardware refresh of our BES 3.6.2.14 server along with an upgrade to BES 4.0 SP2. We are currently using MSDE 2000 and will continue to use it with BES 4.0. We currently have 120 users. I will be using the same SRP for the new hardware/BES 4.0. I have 3 quesitons.

1. Can I knife edge from old hardware/3.6 to new hardware/4.0 in one step?
2. If this will work, how would I do it.
3. Does BES 4.0 SP2 require SP1 or is cumulative?

I have searched this forum, but have not found a clear answer/method to my question. I think this will work, I just don't know how the database gets converted from 3.6 to 4.0. Thanks in advance.

You can go directly to SP2 if you wish. Just remember, before your upgrade, be sure to apply at least service pack 3 to your 3.6 installation.

Clarification
 

My new hardware will already have BES 4.0 SP2. I won't be upgrading the BES 3.6 server. I will hopefully be able to export the databases out of 3.6 and import them into 4.0. I want to have the 3.6 server there for a possible rollback if something fails with the 4.0 cutover. Is this possible?

If you want to import the databases and then run the install over the top of them, they still need to be post-sp3. Install will kill them if they aren't.

It is possible
 

You will need to make sure that the bb server name (do not confuse with system hostname) is identical. You also have to make sure you are not using the same SRP identifier on both machines at the same time. When you are ready to do the transfer shut down the services on the old server and turn on the services with the new server.

I would put the same version on the new server and then do the transfer. When sucessful, then upgrade to 4.0 This keeps the databases the same between both hardware versions.

Good luck.

typically speaking, RIM suggests doing the upgrade first, then the knife-edge cutover; but the above statement is true - you will want to knife-edge on same versions only.

Review KB-04366: How To - Upgrade from BlackBerry Enterprise Server 3.6 to 4.0, and move to a new server

http://www.blackberry.com/knowledgec...77701&vernum=2

Thanks everyone. So would it be better to

- Upgrade from 3.6.2 to 3.6.3 to 4.0 on old hardware and then knife-edge to new hardware
OR
- Knife edge 3.6.2 to new hardware and then upgrade to 3.6.3 to 4.0?

Doesn't really matter. The KB says to upgrade the old machine to 4.0 but you can do either way. If your hadware doesnt meet the specs to run 4.0 I'de recommend cutting over 3.6 to 3.6 and then upgrading.

Thanks everyone. I will knife edge to new hardware and then upgrade. I have RIMs Technical Advisory on knife edge cutovers. Anyone know of any "gotchas" that aren't documented or other tips on doing the cutover?