Can different Jira versions coexist?

Question

Hello - I have Jira 5.0.5 Build 732 installed in production and has been running for many years.  Recently we decided to upgrade to the latest version (7.11.0), but do not have currently have access to a testing/stage server.

We want to try this new version out first so we can train users on the differences before we upgrade production.  Is it possible to install the latest 7.11.0 version to the same production server (using our developer license) as our existing 5.0.5 and have them coexist?

What would the installation process entail?

Thanks,
Jamie

Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Answer

No.  Jira needs to run on an application server, and the only one Atlassian write for or support now is Tomcat.  The installers install Tomcat and Jira bundled together.

If you install two Jira systems, you will install two separate Tomcats and a Jira on each one.

Jamie Morgan · Answer

Thanks Nic.  Yes, I already have one Atlassian Jira system installed, up and running.

If I understand you correctly you are saying to install two Tomcats independently of Jira.  Is there a version of the Jira installer that doesn't try to install Tomcat?  Or maybe the Jira installer will just skip the install of Tomcat if it sees Tomcat is already installed?

Thanks,
Jamie

Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Answer

It's now very very hard to install two Atlassian systems in a single Tomcat.

Assuming you have installed one Atlassian system already, so there's an off-the-shelf Tomcat in place, to get a second one, you have to download and install a new installation separately, extract all the pieces of the deployed application within that new Tomcat, edit it so that it does not clash with the old one, then re-bundle it and deploy it in the target.

It's very rare that you'd see anyone do that nowadays, it's a monumental pain, and far easier just to install two Tomcats separately.  To prevent it, just don't bother to do it!

On 2, yes create the service manually.