Test Newer Versions

Applies to Collaborator 14.5, last modified on March 26, 2024

If you are currently using Collaborator and want to try a newer version without risking your existing installation, there are a couple ways to install a newer version in an existing Collaborator environment while still maintaining the integrity of your existing version.

Fresh Installation

This option allows a quick and easy way to try Collaborator from scratch. However, you will not have access to all your existing review and user data.

To test a new Collaborator server with a blank database, download and install the newer version of the Collaborator server software. If you are installing onto the same machine as your existing Collaborator server software, be sure to specify a different directory, port number, and database instance. Installing it in the same directory will upgrade your current installation, and you will not be able to undo the installation.

Parallel Operation

This option allows you to continue running the old version of Collaborator in parallel with the newer version you are testing.

  1. Do a complete backup of your existing Collaborator server.

  2. After the backup finishes, install the exact same build of the Collaborator server software that you are currently using. For example, if you are currently running version 8.0.8001, then install version 8.0.8001 (contact support for legacy server installers).

    After the installer finishes, it will display a web page in your default browser. That web page will have a button for creating the Collaborator database tables – do not click that button. You do not want those tables to be created because you are about to restore from your existing database.

    Again, if you are installing onto the same machine as your existing Collaborator server software, be sure to specify a different directory, port number, and database instance. Installing it in the same directory will upgrade your current installation, and you will not be able to undo the installation.

  3. Restore the backup that you just created to the new installation of Collaborator.

  4. Then, run the installer for the newer version and when prompted, select the directory that contains the Collaborator server that you just installed. This will cause the installer to upgrade that installation.

Windows Notes

If you choose either of the above options, you will end up with two instances of the Collaborator server running: one for your older version and one that is running the newer version. If you are running both instances on the same machine and if the operating system on that machine is Windows, then there is one additional step.

The Collaborator server installer for Windows always uses the same Windows service name: ccollab-server. This means that after you install a second instance of the Collaborator server on a Windows system, the Windows service named ccollab-server points to the new installation. The original installation no longer has a Windows service entry and is therefore no longer running.

This problem is easy to fix. In a command window, set the working directory to the original installation of the Collaborator server software. Then, enter this command:

ccollab-server /install <service-name>

You can specify anything you want for <service-name> – except for ccollab-server. This will create a new Windows service with its own name for your existing Collaborator server installation.

See Also

Server Installation Steps
Backup and Migration
Installation

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