Upgrading CUCM 9.x to 12.x

[edwardd0017]

Hello,

What's the best approach of upgrading an existing CUCM 9.x to 12.x?

We have purchased a new BE 600M Server (M5) to run the new 12.x. My concern is, can I just backup the existing 9.x box using DRS and restore the flat-file on the new 12.x box.

Thanks.

[Jaime Valencia · Accepted solution]

DRS only works on the exact same release from which the backup was taken from.

Your options would be:

A) PCD migration

B) Install same release on new HW, DRS restore, then upgrade

C) Upgrade on current HW, then DRS restore on new HW

Make sure you have everything ready for smart licensing on 12.x

[Chris Deren · Accepted solution]

I have been using Prime Collaboration Deployment (PCD) for all migrations for couple of years which saves significant time compared to other options for such migration as you can go directly from 9.X to 12.X with single task and if preferred change IP/hostname as part of the migration so that both environments can run in parallel for testing, etc.

[edwardd0017]

In my situation, I believe that CUCM 12.x and all its components are already installed on the new hardware (BE 600M). Can the PCD perform the migration between the old hardware to the new hardware? 

[Jaime Valencia]

No, the PCD migration involves PCD doing the install of the target server.

If CUCM is already installed, it will not work.

https://youtu.be/2C_gy_XmBmE

[Chris Deren]

Remember there is no easy migration without PCD from one version to another as your only options would be to perform specific exports, adjusting headers and importing to new version, and that SUCKS, is not reliable and time consuming.  If the new CUCM is blank config just delete those VMs and consider PCD.