How to Migrate Jenkins from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019
Migrating Jenkins from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019 involves installing a fresh Jenkins instance on the new server and transferring configuration data from the old one. Here's a general guideline:
Preparation:
Install Jenkins on Windows Server 2019: Download the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version of Jenkins .war file from the official Jenkins website https://www.jenkins.io/download/. Install it on your new Windows Server 2019 following the standard installation process.
Backup Jenkins Configuration (JENKINS_HOME): On your Windows Server 2012 Jenkins instance, locate the directory
JENKINS_HOME
. This directory contains all your Jenkins configuration data, including jobs, plugins, and user settings. You can find the location ofJENKINS_HOME
by going to Jenkins dashboard -> Manage Jenkins -> System Information. Create a compressed archive (e.g., zip) of the entireJENKINS_HOME
directory.
Migration:
Stop Jenkins services: Ensure Jenkins services are stopped on both the old (Windows Server 2012) and new (Windows Server 2019) servers.
Transfer Configuration Archive: Copy the compressed archive of
JENKINS_HOME
from the old server to the new server.Restore Configuration on New Server: Extract the archive contents into the new server's
JENKINS_HOME
directory. This will overwrite the default Jenkins configuration with your existing settings.Adjust Permissions (Optional): Depending on your setup, you might need to adjust file permissions on the new server's
JENKINS_HOME
directory to ensure the Jenkins service user has proper access.Start Jenkins on New Server: Start the Jenkins service on your Windows Server 2019 machine.
Post-Migration:
Test and Verify: Once Jenkins starts, log in to the new Jenkins web interface and verify that your jobs, plugins, and configurations are present and functional.
Security Considerations: If you had user authentication enabled on the old Jenkins, you might need to adjust security settings on the new server. Consider temporarily disabling security (
<useSecurity>false</useSecurity>
in config.xml) to access the new Jenkins initially and then re-configure security as needed.
Additional Tips:
Refer to the official Jenkins documentation on migrating to a new server https://community.jenkins.io/t/migrate-to-a-new-server/3024 for detailed instructions.
Consider using plugins like ThinBackup https://docs.cloudbees.com/docs/cloudbees-ci/latest/backup-restore/cloudbees-backup-plugin to automate backups and restore processes.
If you have complex configurations or encounter issues during migration, consider enlisting the help of a Jenkins administrator or consultant.