This Confluence version doesn't support Server licenses

[Van Tor]

While I updated my confluence from 8.5.1 to 8.6.0, Server ID changed and prompted "This Confluence version doesn't support Server licenses. Enter a valid Data Center license to continue."

I did pay my starated license longer than today's date of Oct 7, 2023. Why not usable anymore?

[Tim Kopperud · Accepted solution]

Hi @Van Tor 

Confluence 8.5.x was the last version to support server license. Confluence 8.6.x and above is data center only. 

You might see these (ref the blue notices on top):

Confluence 8.5 Release Notes

Confluence 8.6 Release Notes

You can still use and have support on server until February 15, 2024, and for version 8.5 you will continue to receive security and bug fixes until that date. 

TimK

[Jan magne Viko]

This is an easy trap to fall into. I just upgraded Confluence using the plan your upgrade steps from our server installation, and it recommended the 8.6.1 version. Found out after using the recommended version that it was suddenly no longer a product we can use on a server license....

[Paul Monk]

Indeed. Would have been nice to include a "oh, by the way, if you're on a Server license, you probably don't actually want to upgrade to 8.6.1, even if we recommend it, hehe!!" note.

NOT well-played, Atlassian.

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

This sounds like you have re-configured the service to be a DC install (this is done at an OS level, not in the UI) which will demand a DC licence.

A standard server upgrade will not change the server ID, nor demand a DC licence (it will work with a server or DC licence), so my next obvious question is to ask how exactly you did the upgrade?

[Tim Kopperud]

Well, it used to be like that, but it is changed.

Starting from 8.6.x, new releases of Confluence will be available only to Data Center customers.

TimK.

[Steffen Breitbach]

Great. I still have a license that's valid until February, that is more or less useless now. I should ask Atlassian for a (partial) refund.

[Jeff Sanders]

It did complain about licensing for Server after we updated to 8.6.1. I tried re-entering my Server license keys and they were refused. This also updates the DB schema, so you basically have to roll back to an earlier version and restore the DB if you go to 8.6 and you don't have licensing yet.

I would say, if you think you're going to upgrade to 8.6 and still be able to use existing server licenses, better test first...Wasn't the case for us.