Overview
This article explains the best practice of Migrating data between Jira Servers using Configuration Manager for Jira app.
Best Practice
Generally, the Configuration Manager for Jira (CMJ) app can be used across different versions of Jira.
The version of Configuration Manager for Jira (CMJ) could differ on the source and target Jira instance as well as the Jira versions could differ. However, you still need to have in mind that newer Jira versions are introducing new features compared to previous versions. The same is valid for Configuration Manager for Jira(CMJ), the latest versions of CMJ compatible with the latest versions of Jira. When using an older version of CMJ on a newer Jira version it is possible that some objects are not exported if they are not supported by that CMJ version. If you deploy that snapshot then on a new instance you may expect those objects to appear but they will not because they are not supported by CMJ.
Here is a link to a compatibility matrix - https://botronsoft.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CMJ/pages/4784162/Compatibility+Matrix
Also, here is an article with the object support for CMJ - https://botronsoft.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CMJ/pages/4784151/Configuration+Object+Support+Matrix
If the Jira versions are close, generally they don't differ in any major features so it is absolutely safe to use CMJ to create and deploy 100% valid and full snapshots. Also, you don't need to use the same version of CMJ, but it is recommended to use close versions.
The version of Configuration Manager for JIRA(CMJ) on the source and target instances should be identical and in case, if the versions are different, then the target instance shouldn't be running an older version than the source instance.
We would suggest you run the same version of CMJ i.e v6.6.8 in both the PROD and TEST instances.
Please check the compatibility matrix to make sure the version of the Configuration Manager for JIRA(CMJ) is identical between the Data Center Jira Instance and Server Instance.
For more information, please refer to the below link:
https://botronsoft.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CMJ/pages/4784162/Compatibility+Matrix
you can migrate projects from one Jira version to another as the Configuration Manager for Jira is designed to support exporting and importing snapshots from different Jira versions.
The Configuration Manager for Jira app (CMJ) can migrate Project with issues along with the associated attachments.
Yes, it's always ideal to have the same version of Jira running on both the Source and Target instances. However, with our latest versions of Configuration Manager for Jira app, one can have two different Jira versions on Source and Target instances but provided the version of Configuration Manager for Jira is identical.
Example - Configuration Manager for Jira v6.6.8 is supported for Jira version between 7.8.0 to 8.11.0, If using this version, then two different Jira versions between 7.8.0 to 8.11.0 can be installed in Source and Target, but the CMJ app version should be identical v6.6.8 in both source and target.
Another important point to remember is, if the Jira versions are different, then the target instance shouldn't be running an older version than the source instance.
Example -
If running Jira Source v7.8.0 and Target v8.10.0, then CMJ Works perfectly.
However, if Jira Source is v8.10.0 and target v7.9.0, then the CMJ might not give accurate results.