Migrating the AcctVantage Server to new hardware
These instructions are for migrating your current AcctVantage Server to new hardware. Upgrading to a new version of the software is not required here, although it is an option.
The process will include:
- Install the AV Server application on the new hardware.
- Copy the 4D licenses to the new hardware (or procure new licenses if the new hardware uses a different operating system.)
- If the new hardware has the same OS, your current licenses can be moved.
- If the new hardware has a different OS (e.g. Mac to Windows or vice versa), you will need to get a new set of 4D licenses then follow the Instant Activation process.
- Move the database and related files to the new hardware.
- Connect the AV server to the data file.
- Connect AV Clients to the new AV Server.
1. Install the AcctVantage Server application on the new hardware
If you are upgrading major versions while also migrating to new hardware (e.g. AV 2025 -> AV 2027) then you will need a new key file when you launch the AV Server for the first time.
2. Copy the 4D licenses to the new hardware
There are two licensing components -- an AcctVantage key file and 4D licenses. Only the 4D licenses will need to be moved to the new server.
In most cases, you will not need to do anything with the AcctVantage key file when migrating the AV Server to new hardware. The only instance where you'd need a new key file is when you upgrade major versions of AV (e.g. AV 2025 -> AV 2027).
If you're staying on the same version or you are doing a minor upgrade, you won't need a new key file.
2.1. Find the licenses folder on the current hardware
While the AV Server is running, go to the Help menu (top of the screen) and then select Licenses Manager.
2.2. Licenses Folder
After you open the Licenses Manager, click on the Licenses Folder button. This will open the folder in Finder (macOS) or File Explorer (Windows OS).
macOS licenses folder
The licenses folder on macOS should be at the following path. Copy the license(s) to the same path on the new hardware.
Macintosh HD/Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/4D/Licenses
Windows licenses folder
The licenses folder on Windows OS should be at the following path. Copy the license(s) to the same path on the new hardware.
C:\ProgramData\4D\Licenses
3. Move the data file to the new hardware
- After copying the licenses, shut down the AV Server app on the old server.
- Find the folder where your data file is located. The most common location for this is within the AcctVantage ERP Server folder itself. You should have a folder named something like "<your company data>".
- We suggest to compress this folder into a ZIP file so it will be easier to move.
- Move the compressed ZIP file to the new server and then unzip the file.
- If you have a shared network drive, that would be the easiest way to do this. You can also move the file to a USB drive and then copy if from the USB drive onto the new server.
4. Connect AV Server to data file
- Launch the AV Server app on the new hardware.
- When prompted, select the option to open an existing data file.
- Navigate to the data file folder that was copied from the old server.
- Select the 4DD file.
- At this point, the server should pickup the licenses and launch normally.
- If the server does not recognize the licenses, follow the Instant Activation process.
5. Connect AV Clients to the new server
After all of the above is done and the AV server is running, you are now ready for your AV Clients to connect.
When the AV client is opened, it will remember the location of the old server hardware. When the client doesn't find the old server, you should see the dialog below where you can select the new server and connect to it.
If you do not see the dialog below and/or are unable to connect to the new server, follow THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
