What are the recommended steps to migrate Cerberus from one server to another?

Often a requirement will arise when you will need to do a migration of Cerberus from an old server to a new server where Cerberus on the new server will take over from the Cerberus on the old server and you intend to use the same license key. Below are the recommended steps. These will allow a measured approach to migration, giving you time to ensure the new instance is working as expected before spinning down the old instance.

Update Current Cerberus

First, before doing anything else, you should update your current instance of Cerberus to the latest version. This will ensure that anything you export, such as users and settings, is in the latest format and can easily be restored onto your new server. To update, you can either use the application ('Help' > 'Check for Update') or visit our website to download the latest executable (https://www.cerberusftp.com/support-downloads/). If you will be manually kicking off the update using a downloaded executable, to make your update process go as smoothly as possible, while not required, exit the Cerberus management UI by selecting ‘File’ > ‘Exit’

and stop the Cerberus service using the Windows Services App (windows.msc).

Back up Users and Settings

Once you have updated, you can backup your Cerberus users and settings into a single archive file. This will include your users, configuration settings, and license key. Please note, a Cerberus backup does not include your file structure. Files and directories will need to be migrated separately, outside Cerberus. To create the backup file, go to ‘Tools’ > ‘Backup Users and Settings’ in Cerberus.

Install Cerberus on the new server

Once you have your new server up and running, ensuring you have all service packs and Windows Updates installed, you can install the latest version of Cerberus FTP server. Use the same executable you downloaded to update your old Cerberus, or just download it again from our website (https://www.cerberusftp.com/support-downloads/).

After you have installed, you may restore your previous settings from the archive file you created earlier. To restore, in your new instance of Cerberus on the new server, go to ‘Tools’ > ‘Restore Settings and Users’.

If you wish to test the new server while concurrently running Cerberus on the old server, check the box to NOT restore the license key.

Uninstall Cerberus on the old server

Once you are satisfied the new instance is working as required, uninstall Cerberus FTP Server from the old server, or decommission the machine, before you assign the license key to the new machine. You can't use the same license key on more than one machine at a time. To apply your license, navigate to ‘Help’ > ‘Enter License Data…’.