Best way to upgrade SEPM 12.1RU2 on W2K3/SQL2005 to 12.1.4 on W2K8/SQL2012?

We have two SEPM servers as replication partners. They're SEPM 12.1 RU2 on Windows 2003 pointing to SQL 2005 that's on a W2K3 box. We want to upgrade everything! (yay)

-upgrade SEPM version

-upgrade server OS (actually they don't want to do the OS upgrade in place. They want new servers)

-upgrade SQL (on a new server)

We want them on 12.1.4 on Windows 2008 pointed to SQL2012 on a W2K8 box. 

I'm reading through forum posts and KBs but admit to not really knowing the best way to do this or in what order.

What's confusing me is the new SQL database on a different server.

Any suggestions will be most welcome.

There are a couple guides here on moving to new SQL:

Best Practices guide to moving the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager SQL Server database from an existing SQL Server database to a new SQL Server database

Moving the SEPM database to a new SQL server or instance using SQL backup/restore.

You could get those two SEPMs updated to the latest version 12.1.5. Build your new servers with 12.1.5. Set them up as replication partners and configure your management server list to point the clients to the new SEPMs. Once they move over, you can shut down services on the old SEPMs. Leave themaround for awhile to make sure all clients are moved off.

Then you can move to a new SQL

1) Take the backup of existing SEPM

2) Install a new SEPM on Windows 2008(Uprade or new server, doesnt matter)

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH199292

3) Put back the DB and certificate, upgrade to 12.14 whever you have time.

When you will be upgrade SEPM OS you need to reinstall SEPM console,You need to follow disaster receovery process.

Disaster recovery best practices for Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1

See chetan articles

How to move SEPM from one server to another server.

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-move-sepm-one-server-another-server

Best practices when upgrading your operating system with Symantec Endpoint Protection already installed

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Symantec community.

This is very important to know whether they want to do the OS upgrade in place or they want new servers?

Many options are dependent on that.

I would suggest to refer this article:

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/hot-move-sepm-one-server-another-server

They want new servers for the SEPM and the SQL database.

Ok, I think I'm getting my head wrapped around this now. Thanks everyone.

Hi,

As long as you have the backup done you should be fine, similar steps here:

Best Practices guide to moving the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager SQL Server database from an existing SQL Server database to a new SQL Server database

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH104723

How to reconfigure Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager to communicate with upgraded SQL Server database

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH162881

Fee free to PM me if you need any assistance.

Anybody ever have any issues with permissions when migrating the database to new version/server?