How to recover Jira's SQL database?

[Ana Pavlisic]

We've had an unfortunate event of hardware failure and lost Jira home directory that we haven't backed up. We, however, have backup of Jira's SQL database.

We tried installing a new instance of Jira and pointing it to the database of old instalation, but it does not work (i.e. does not recognise users, so we cannot even log into the system).

I suppose, there must had been some kind of password salt in the home directory?

Could someone provide some guidance on restoring the old installation (despite the homedir was lost)? Would that even be possible?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

In theory, all you have to do is create a new jira, started up looking at an empty database so that it goes through the standard initial installation, shut it down, repoint it at the old database and restart it.

But, that will only work if you were using the internal directory for users.  If you were not, you'll need to reconfigure the new system to use the external directory as well.

You don't need any of the old home directory to restore your Jira, your inability to log in is down to the configuration of the user directories.