Migrating Unifi controller to a new server.
New to sub so I hope I am posting correctly!
We have been using Unifi 6 on an internal server. Unfortunately I could not upgrade to 8 because the OS does not support the tools Unifi 8 needs to run properly. So to make a smooth transition I set up a second server with unifi 8. It's working perfectly fine, however all devices are pointed at the domain name of the original server.
My intent was to simply repoint the DNS to the new server now so that all the devices will now connect to the new unifi8 server. While I can find lots of documentation on migrations, not so much on re-pointing servers. In some ways it's not completely a unifi issue. I have migrated all of the existing data from the old server to new (so I have all the use logins, etc the same).
When I am unsure of is if there is anything in unifi I have to consider beyond simply changing a DNS A record for the name the devices are connecting to?
I know there is inform host. But since I want to retain the old domain name instead of using a new one and changing those devices to connect to the new one, I don't think this will matter. I assume I can just leave that off. But someone please correct me if I am wrong.
My hope is that after updating my A record, and the DNS propagates, the Unifi devices will start connecting to the new server on the new IP when they use the domain name to connect. But I don't really use Unifi myself, I am just trying to upgrade it for others. Do I need to consider anything else?
Also, because I am not very savvy in Unifi controllers I am probably missing some information someone might need to point me in the right direction. If so, I apologize but will be happy to update the post with that info if someone points it out to me. Thanks for any advice!
Comments Section
What I’ve done in the past is to export the configuration of the old unifi network , spin up a new VM, install the network app, restore the configuration, change the ip of the old to some other ip, change the ip of the new VM to the ip that used to belong to the old one.
I don't know if I will be able to change IPs. But if that works for you it sounds like my DNS change should work as well. Thanks!
Been there done that, Super easy!
Keep old server running, pop a new server, install and configure as required. On the old server there is an option to export to a new server, this will make you download the config file, install(Restore) that on the new server, then on the old the export will push a set-inform on all device to now provision on the new DNS or IP. check to make sure all device are back online on the new controller.
You can still just Update the controller on the current server.
Glennr Easy update script
use this script to update the server. This will take care of Unifi itself and any dependency (MongoDB).
I'm not sure I would change ip of the DNS, you risk having problem and not be able to fix them because device can no longer talk with the old server! Keeping both server active while doing migration is better.
Make sure you have the inform host on a dns record with fast update. Export old config and import the config in the new server. Change the ip in the dns record and you’re good.
OK I already moved the config over and I have inform host off for right now. I believe in theory since the devices are using the domain name, that when the A record for that domain name changes they will start pointing to the new hosts without needing to be told. Thanks for your help!
Pointing the A record to the new IP seems to have been successful. It also turned out that someone has already pointed a device to the new server beforehand (that name points to the IP as well), but the inform option should help me fix that.
Thanks for everyone's help!