Are Jira Server and Data Center software the same?

[Joe Chen]

All,

I am upgrading Jira server and Jira datacenter from 8.5.1 to 8.13.6 but when I downloaded them from the downloads site, both Jira server and Jira datacenter are the same file: atlassian-jira-software-8.13.6.tar.gz.

Should I get different Jira Software 8.13.6 files for Jira server and Jira datacenter?

Thanks,

[Joshua Sneed Contegix · Accepted solution]

Hi Joe,

Yes and no. Officially, Jira server and Jira Data Center started sharing code at 8.14. Unofficially, they were a single install file and the license would determine if the DC specific features were available in the UI.

Either way, Server is basically EOLd and obtaining a license is difficult/impossible. Just use the DC version moving forward and don't sweat anything related to server. Cheers!

[Joe Chen]

Thank you for the answer! I'll use the dc software on my servers.

[Rob Horan]

As Joshua mentioned, they are very very similar, but their paths have since diverged.   On top of that, remember you're describing the base application.  Plugins are a separate factor to consider - while its true that most Server plugins are DC compatible, this is not guaranteed.  You should work with plugin vendors to get a definitive answer if there is any doubt.

The other major difference between server and DC is after paying for DC your wallet will be in a daze, asking if anyone got the license plate of that truck...

[Joe Chen]

My server sites are licensed for server. Would licensing and server plugins detect the DC software after the upgrade?

Thanks

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Actually, no.  The software for Server and DC has been identical for quite a while now.

For a very long time (early 7.x), you have been able to swap a system between Server and DC (a single node) by giving it a new licence and messing with some config files.   Since 8.9-ish, Atlassian have got that down to "change licence" without the rest of the config.  It's the same software.   I've got a dev/test install of Jira on this laptop that I swap between DC and Server by simply changing the licence when I need to!

Most server apps are identical to their DC versions too, but there is an asymmetry - it is possible to write a server app that does not work for DC.  But if an app works for DC, you know it works for Server too.  (Because Server is a single node DC)

Your apps WILL spot that you have changed to DC.  Your licences will need to match the application.  But any mismatch will not damage any data, it will just stop your apps working until you apply the matching licence.