TOP Server Upgrade Best Practices

This is a more general upgrade guide (not version specific). If you are looking for more specific Version 5 to Version 6 or Version 4 to Version 6 guides, we do have those as well.

Make a restore point (system image) for the system to have a backup
Upgrades will require service re-initialization so plan on a down time during the upgrade
- Please plan accordingly and coordinate with the appropriate teams/individuals to minimize data loss during the upgrade process.
Always save a backup of your TOP Server project in your pre-upgraded version. Project files are only forward compatible, so it is important to make your copy in the older version before importing it into the newer version.
If there is a redundant TOP Server in place, ensure it is up and running by looking at your Redundancy Client controller

Step 1: Verify that the license will work with the newer version

If you are unsure of your license information, you can navigate to the TOP Server License Utility to obtain your Activation IDs.
You can use our support entitlement validation lookup page to see if you are on support, when it expire(s) or expired, and if on support, obtain your latest Activation ID that is in our system.
If your support is expired, then you will need to look at the TOP Server Version & OS history page and you can use any version of TOP Server that was released before your support expired.

Step 2: Always save a backup of your TOP Server project

Can be done by going File ⇒ Save As… then saving it with an appropriate name and in a convenient location.
V4, V5, and V6 project files are forward compatible with newer versions. So, if you are upgrading between major versions, your project file can be imported and used on the newer version.

Step 3: Determine if this is an in-place upgrade or moving to a new machine to take the appropriate steps

If you are migrating to a new machine, please complete a license transfer to move your current license to the new installation. Instructions to do so can be found here. You will also need to migrate your project file to the new machine.
If this is an in-place upgrade, both your license(s) and project file will be automatically retained.

Step 4: Follow the standard upgrade process

TOP Server installers will install the newer version over the older one, so there is no need to uninstall before an upgrade.

Run the new TOP Server installer
You will be prompted with the version you are upgrading from and the version you are upgrading to and reminded to save a backup of your project file if you have not done so already
Run through the remainder of the installer, selecting the necessary options

Step 5: Once the upgrade is complete:

Verify that the TOP Server runtime service is running
- Check Windows services to ensure that TOP Server (Version) Runtime or server_runtime is running.
Verify clients are receiving data
- Can be done either from built-in OPC Quick Client and/or from your client application.
Ensure your license is still in a good state
- Open the TOP Server License Utility and check the current license status.
- Check the TOP Server event log to ensure you are not receiving any “Time Limited Feature” warnings

Questions/Concerns?

Please feel free to reach out to our support team by emailing in to support@softwaretoolbox.com.