OS X Server: Upgrade and migration from Mavericks or Mountain Lion
Learn how to upgrade or migrate to OS X Server on Yosemite from OS X Server on Mavericks or Mountain Lion.
Before you begin
Before starting any upgrade or migration, be sure that you have a complete and tested backup or clone of your working server installation and data.
If you are upgrading or migrating from Lion Server or Mac OS X Server v10.6, please see this article instead.
Planning your upgrade or migration
Make sure that your target server meets the system requirements for both OS X Yosemite and OS X Server. Be sure to install the latest version of OS X Server on the destination server.
Make sure that any DNS or DHCP servers that your server relies on remain running during the process. If you are using Xsan, be sure that you have fully resolvable hostnames on your metadata network.
To upgrade or migrate a remote server, you must be able to control the server by using Screen Sharing or Apple Remote Desktop.
When upgrading an Open Directory master, follow the instructions in this article. Important: the Global Password Policy for network user accounts is not preserved when upgrading or migrating to OS X Server (Yosemite). Make note of your Global Password Policy before upgrading or migrating, and apply the same settings in Server app afterwards.
Service Data
Your service data and settings are preserved when upgrading or migrating. Service data that is stored in the default location remains in the default service data location inside the /Library/Server/ directory. Service data stored in an alternate location remains in the alternate location.
Upgrading your Server
You can upgrade to OS X Server on Yosemite from OS X Server on Mavericks or Mountain Lion by installing OS X Yosemite first, then installing Server app v4.0.
To upgrade:
Download and install OS X Yosemite from the Mac App Store.
Follow the instructions in the OS X Installer.
Set up the computer using Setup Assistant after installation.
Migrate your Server data from another computer as part of Setup Assistant if needed.
When installation, setup, and migration are complete, purchase, download, and install Server from the Mac App Store.
Open the Server app and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the upgrade.
Migrating your Server
You can migrate from OS X Server on Mavericks or Mountain Lion to another computer using OS X Yosemite. Use the Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant included with Yosemite to transfer your data before you open Server app.
You can migrate server data using one of the following methods:
A server connected in Target Disk Mode
A local hard drive or partition with OS X Server installed
A local Time Machine backup of OS X Server
Migrating over a network connection, either from an existing server or a Time Machine backup, is not an available option for OS X Server.
To migrate your server:
Use Setup Assistant on a new Mac, or open the Migration Assistant from the Utilities folder.
Follow the onscreen instructions. Select a supported connection method when prompted.
When migration is complete, download and install Server from the Mac App Store.
Open the Server app and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the server setup.
If you open Server app before migrating your server data, remove Server app before migrating and then reinstall it after migration is done.
