Recommendations & advice needed to upgrade Alteryx systems from 2021.3 to 2023.1

[PeterPerera]

Hi

We have DEV and PRD Alteryx single node basic systems.

- SERVER 2021.3 versions.

- Large number of users (50+) uses Designer Desktop admin version 2021.3

- very few users use AIS admin version 2021.3

Our plan is to upgrade the DEV environment as given below

- upgrade the server from 2021.3 to 2022.1

- upgrade the designer of few users from admin 2021.3  to admin 2022.1 

- test the 2022.1 system using test workflows

- if test results good then upgrade server from 2022.1 to 2023.1

- upgrade the designer of previous selected users from admin 2022.1 to admin 2023.1

- test the 2023.1 system using test workflows etc

Some suggesting the following plan

- upgrade the server to 2022.1

- do some checks

- if all good upgrade server from 2022.1  to 2023.1

- do some checks

- upgrade the designer admin 2021.3 to admin 2023.1 of few users

- test the 2023.1 using test workflows etc

Please suggest which plan to be followed. If neither of above please suggest other plans.

Thx

[fmvizcaino]

Hi @PeterPerera ,

I would go with plan 2, since you will have the server`s designer to run these test workflows. 

A few important things for you to be aware of during the upgrade.

• Guidelines for a server upgrade: 
  • https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/Alteryx-Server-Upgrade-Guidelines---Checklist-to-upgra...
  • https://help.alteryx.com/downloads/server/Server_Upgrade_Checklist.pdf
• Run the preupgrade checks app to fix issues that will mess with your upgrade. You can run this before the upgrade and check the reports already. Depending on the error, Alteryx support should be called to fix the issues.
  • https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/server-pre-upgrade-checks
• If you are on 21.3.6, you can move directly to 23.1 without performing a process called MongoDB migration. Either way, you can move directly to 23.1 without this intermediate upgrade. I understand where the idea is coming from but I would try first a direct upgrade and if that doesn`t work, roll back and restart with an intermediary upgrade.
  • https://help.alteryx.com/current/en/server/configure/mongodb-management/mongodb-schema-reference.htm...
• In your testing phase, with or without the intermediary phase, navigate through all pages and see if it is working, I`ve seen issues with pages not being loaded after upgrades
• List all python and R packages installed by users, you will have to reinstall them back after the upgrade.
• Version 22.3 and beyond has a different cryptography, which means all designers MUST be on 22.3 or higher to connect to the gallery after the upgrade
• For 23.1, there is a migration tool that can be run before the upgrade, which will adapt the workflows to the new cryptography. This tool takes a while to process, so depending on the number of workflows on your gallery, better to do it before.
  • https://help.alteryx.com/20223/en/server/install/install-or-upgrade-server/migration-prep-tool.html
• Don`t forget to backup everything. A server snapshot is also recommended (easier and faster to roll back)

Best,

Fernando Vizcaino

•  

[TimN]

Not sure how R installs work but create a requirements file for Python modules.

https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/How-to-create-a-text-file-for-a-backing-up-the-Python-...

[PeterPerera]

Happy New Year. Sorry for the late reply.

Thank you very much Fernando for lengthy and descriptive explanations and links. Yes what you suggesting also makes sense that to try a direct migration first and if fails then roll back and do step by step approach. I am not sure whether the company will approve such a process. I will go through the info and links. Thank you again.

** I went through the YouTube video series on Alteryx Server Webinar Series 2021 by Data Meaning also. Very informative and thanks.

TimN . Thanks for the link and info.

I found some good info from here also https://www.phdata.io/blog/important-considerations-when-updating-alteryx-server/