How to Upgrade Vault Professional when databases are replicated to other SQL Servers

Autodesk Support

Feb 21, 2025

Products and versions covered

Issue:

When using Vault Professionals SQL Replication, Connected Workgroups feature to synchronize one or more databases from a Publisher to one or more Subscribers, the upgrade must follow certain steps to succesfully migrate the database and ensure that no data is lost.

Solution:

Review the Vault Help on this topic. Introduction to Upgrading Vault. Step three discusses Multi-sites.

Best Practice: Before you begin

  1. Restore an ADMS Console Backup taken from the publisher to a non-production single site Vault Server running the same build of SQL and Vault Server.
  2. A successful restore, validates the backup.
  3. If possible, replicate it to a non-production Subscriber.
  4. Apply the update\upgrade in the non-production server. Document how long it takes and any problems you had to overcome.
  5. Migrate the database. Document how long it takes.

The above best practice, familiarises you with the process and how long it will take. This is critically important to ensure a smooth upgrade. 


Update\Upgrade the Production environment

  1. Inform all users they need to stop using the Vault.
  2. Ensure all clients are logged out of Vault.
  3. Reset the web service by typing 'IISRESET' at a server command prompt.
  4. On one ADMS (Autodesk Data Management Server) connected to the publisher install the update or upgrade.
  5. If upgrading, apply all available updates (Vault Updates)
  6. Repeat the preceding steps for every ADMS server in all workgroups.
  7. On ONE ADMS Console connected to the Publisher, log in and migrate all un-migrated databases and libraries before proceeding.
    • NOTE: It may be necessary to detach an un-migrated database if the update addresses a migration problem.
    • NOTE: After the database migration is complete on the Publisher workgroup, a new snapshot will be generated. Once the new snapshot generation is completed, the subscribers will begin to consume it. At this point it may be possible to use the "Alternate Snapshot Method" to speed up the process. Be advised the "Alternate Snapshot Method" should only be carried out by technically competent and confident professionals. It is a manual process and potentially error prone. Practice in a test environment first. Never do it for the first time in a production environment. "Replicating a Vault Database to a Subscriber using the Alternate Snapshot method."

WARNING: DO NOT PROCEED until the update has been successfully applied on ALL ADMS servers in all workgroups.

Note: Database replication is scheduled by default every 60 seconds. Scheduled file replication (AVFS) will continue as configured before upgrading the ADMS. It is best to upgrade all AVFS sites concurrently with ADMS sites.

To simplify the process, it may be worth considering a less complicated alternative. Consider tearing down the replication to a single site:-

  1. Unreplicating all databases to all subscribers
  2. Disable replication completely.
  3. Migrate the database.
  4. Re-enable replication (Using the Alternate Snapshot Method).

Products:

Vault Professional;

Versions:

2021; 2018; 2020; 2017; 2016; 2019;

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