Upgrading Argos 5 to Argos 6

Before You Begin

This document describes the process for upgrading your Argos 5 database to Argos 6. If you have already upgraded your database, and are ready to proceed to the next step, click here to upgrade your Argos Manager. If you are installing a fresh Argos 6 database (e.g. not upgrading), click here.

You have two options for upgrading an Argos 5 database. You should carefully consider these options before proceeding:

• An in-place upgrade will convert your Argos 5 database to an Argos 6 database. This procedure is irreversible and should only be done when you are sure you wish to upgrade. This approach has the advantage that your client computers do not require "repointing" to a new database. Argos 6 is backward-compatible with Argos 5 client software, so you need not upgrade desktops immediately.
• A database migration creates a copy of your Argos 5 database, and then upgrades the copy. Your original Argos 5 database is left intact. This is a good choice if you wish to try Argos 6 prior to committing to an upgrade. You may roll a migrated database into production; however, your client computers will require "repointing" through a registry modification.

Before you start, please ensure that you have the following:

• The name of the computer currently hosting your Argos 5 database
• Access to the computer hosting the Argos 5 database, with administrative rights
• If you are running your own SQL Server, ensure that you have SQL credentials with sufficient permissions (sa is preferred). Check with your database administrator if you are unsure of your SQL credentials.
• Approximately 30 minutes, during which your existing Argos database can be offline
• Ensure that you are not connected to your database server via Terminal Services. The upgrade procedure will not complete properly under Terminal Services.

Launching the Upgrade Process

Immediately after unpacking Argos, the Installation Splash Page should appear. If you are working on a computer currently hosting an Argos 5 database, the Installation Splash automatically places itself in upgrade mode. In this case, the first major list item is "upgrade db".

Note: if you unpacked Argos 6 on a computer other than your existing Argos 5 database server, and you wish to perform the upgrade procedure, then do the following:

• Close the Installation Splash (you may wish to uncheck "Run at startup")
• Share your Argossrv folder, or ensure that Argossrv is accessible through a shared network directory
• Go to the computer currently hosting your Argos 5 database
• Navigate to your shared Argossrv folder and run Setup.exe
• Continue the process described below

From the Installation Splash, clicking "upgrade db" launches the database upgrade wizard.

Upgrade Wizard - Step 1 - Database Info

Supply information about your existing Argos 5 database server:

• Server name - the name of the computer hosting your Argos database. This should be the name of the computer on which you are currently working
• User name - a SQL login with sufficient permissions to create and modify databases. The sa login is preferred
• Password - if you are using the database engine provided by Sepialine with Argos 5, then the password should be Sepialine (case sensitive)
• Database - choose the database where your Argos data is stored. By default, this should be Argos

Upgrade Wizard - Step 2 - Database Integrity

The Argos Database Upgrade wizard analyzes your existing Argos 5 database to identify any potential problems. This is accomplished by comparing your Argos database to a "model". If your Argos 5 database has been modified and does not match the model, then the upgrade process will not proceed. This is done to ensure a clean upgrade.

• If all aspects of your existing database are verified, then the 'Next' button is enabled:
  
  
• If for any reason your database has been modified and the upgrade may not proceed the 'Next' button will remain disabled. Please contact Sepialine technical support before proceeding. If possible please leave this screen on your computer so that a technical representative may view its 'Details'. Contact Sepialine for further information.

Upgrade Wizard - Step 3 - Upgrade Type

As discussed earlier, you have two upgrade options: migrate to a new database, or upgrade your existing database in-place. Choose the option appropriate for you. If you specified to migrate your database, then type a name for your new database (default is Argos6).

Upgrade Wizard - Step 4 - Backup

At this point, the Argos Database Upgrade Wizard will back up your existing Argos 5 database. Specify a location where you would like your backup to be located. When ready, click Backup to perform the actual backup.

Optionally, you may click Skip, and a backup will not be created. Skipping the backup step is not recommended.

When ready, click Next to kick off the database upgrade procedure.

Upgrade Wizard - Step 5 - Database Upgrade

At this point, the database upgrade procedure will begin. The status of the upgrade process is displayed on the screen. At the conclusion of the upgrade process, click Next.

Upgrade Wizard - Step 6 - Finish

Your Argos database is now upgrade to version 6! This screen summarizes the process and displays relevant messages.

What's Next?

You're now ready to install Argos Manager.