PLAN FOR A PRODUCTION INSTALLATION / UPGRADE / MIGRATION
Why should i upgrade ?
We strongly recommend you to upgrade to NPM 12 this Orion NPM introduces a number of significant enhancements to improve performance and provide greater stability in more demanding environments. Our development team also resolved know issues within the latest release .
For more details please see the release notes below.
NPM 12.4 Release Notes - SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. Help and Support
What features are been included in NPM 12 released compared what i have currently installed
https://support.solarwinds.com/Success_Center/Network_Performance_Monitor_(NPM)/New_Feature_Summary_NPM
Minimum Hardware Recommendation
https://support.solarwinds.com/Success_Center/Network_Performance_Monitor_(NPM)/NPM_Documentation/NPM_12-3_system_requir…
NPM database server (SQL Server) requirements
http://www.solarwinds.com/documentation/en/flarehelp/netflow/content/core-requirements-for-the-orion-database-server--sql-server--sw1796.htm
We strongly advised to have FULL Orion Database backup before you upgrade .
Backing Up, Restoring, and Migrating Your Orion Database
Migrate the SolarWinds Orion SQL database to a new server - SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. Help and Support
If you are looking for migration please see the below link
Migrate SolarWinds Orion products to a new server using the same IP and hostname - SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. Help and S…
How can i get help for my Upgrade Or fresh install ?
https://support.solarwinds.com/Success_Center/Network_Performance_Monitor_(NPM)/Network_Performance_Monitor_Training
- Installation (4 videos)
- Preparing an NPM Installation (17:51)
- Install Network Performance Monitor https://support.solarwinds.com/Success_Center/Network_Performance_Monitor_(NPM)/Install_Network_Performance_Monitor_-_Video(5:22)
- How to install an additional polling engine (3:20)
- Migrating your Orion Platform product to another server (8:01)
- Upgrading (2 videos)
- Upgrade to NPM v12 (45:40)
- Upgrading the Orion Platform (4:22)
Please find the below links
SOLARWINDS PRODUCT UPGRADE ADVISOR
https://customerportal.solarwinds.com/support/product-upgrade-advisor
COMPATIBILITY OF SOLARWINDS ORION PRODUCTS FOR INSTALLATION AND UPGRADE
http://knowledgebase.solarwinds.com/kb/questions/1888/Compatibility+of+SolarWinds+Orion+Products+for+Installation+and+Upgrade
Where i can Download upgrade installers ?
https://customerportal.solarwinds.com/Licenses
https://customerportal.solarwinds.com/Licenses
HOW TO UPGRADE TO NPM 11.5
https://thwack.solarwinds.com/community/solarwinds-community/product-blog/blog/2015/03/12/how-to-upgrade-to-npm-115
How can I migrate/apply the licensed from another server to a new server?

License Manager:
A video has been created to help step people through moving a licensed product from one computer or server to another. You will be stepped through parking a license, moving to another computer or server, and reusing the parked license on the new computer or server:
SolarWinds Orion 2016.2 feature: Web-based License Manager - SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. Help and Support
I AM STUCK DURING THE UPGRADE / MIGRATION PROCESS WHAT SHOULD I DO ?

What if have another question or have any issue in relation to Upgrade ?
What if i stuck during the Upgrade process and my server is down ?
Please feel free to submit new support ticket in relation to your Question / Error our support lines are 24/7 available .
http://www.solarwinds.com/support/ticket
Select "System Down" priority
24/7 Phone Support
You can also contact the support by 24/7 phone support .
http://www.solarwinds.com/company/contact.aspx