# Updating Ignition from 7.8 to 8.1 PLUS moving to a new server

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/updating-ignition-from-7-8-to-8-1-plus-moving-to-a-new-server/61055>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Tags:** ignition78, ignition81\
**Created:** [June 22, 2022, 12:41pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/updating-ignition-from-7-8-to-8-1-plus-moving-to-a-new-server/61055 "2022-06-22T12:41:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![fcastrocara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/2acd7d/32.png) [@fcastrocara](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/fcastrocara)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 12:41pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/updating-ignition-from-7-8-to-8-1-plus-moving-to-a-new-server/61055/1 "2022-06-22T12:41:29Z")

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Hello, I am helping a customer with a system update, which involves moving the existing production server onto brand-new hardware, and also updating the software from 7.8 to 8.1 (Windows update will also occur as part of the process). I want to make sure to select the best sequence of events to minimize downtime and be as efficient as possible.

These are the options:

**OPTION 1**

1. Take a gateway backup of existing server.
2. Fresh Install of Ignition 8.1 on the new Virtual Machine.
3. Restore gateway backup on new machine.
4. De-activate license on old machine.
5. Activate license on new machine.

**OPTION 2**

1. Create a clone of the existing Ignition Virtual Machine.
2. Update OS.
3. Upgrade Ignition software following the recommended two-step approach (7.8 to 7.9, followed by 7.9 to 8.1). I will follow manuals.
4. De-activate license on old machine.
5. Activate license on new machine.

I would appreciate any comments on either approach or new ones if better option.  
Thank you!

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**Author:** ![lrose](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/lrose/32/62724_2.png) [@lrose](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/lrose)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 12:52pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/updating-ignition-from-7-8-to-8-1-plus-moving-to-a-new-server/61055/2 "2022-06-22T12:52:57Z")

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See this post for some gotchas

> [@Undocumented changes when migrating from v7 to v8](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/undocumented-changes-when-migrating-from-v7-to-v8/38044):
>
> Just some items I’ve found during v7 to v8 upgrades that may not be documented (some of them might be) and can cause hiccups (and quite a bit of work, relatively speaking!). The official guide to upgrading from IA is [here](https://docs.inductiveautomation.com/display/DOC81/Ignition+8+Upgrade+Guide). Tags: UDT v7 property UDTParentType has been renamed in v8 to TypeId Tag quality string values have changed. E.g. EDITED FOR 8.1.10 below 8.1.10 “Not Found” ==\> “Bad\_NotFound”; “Disabled” ==\> “Bad\_Disabled”; 8.1.10 and above “Bad\_NotFound(Error description…)”, “Bad\_ErrorC…