EPP Server Migration & Upgrade Guide
Netwrix expects to release 2608 in late August 2026. If you're on a legacy 5.x server and need to migrate sooner, the previous target platform (2510/2604) is still a valid, supported path — see Migrating from a Legacy 5.x Server to 2510/2604 (Temporary). If your timeline allows waiting, Netwrix recommends migrating directly to 2608 instead — migrating to 2510/2604 now means a second migration shortly afterward. Netwrix will retire this temporary article once 2608 is generally available.
Action Required
Netwrix discontinued support for Endpoint Protector Server version 5.9.4.2 and all older versions as of 14 February 2026. Customers still running any 5.x version are no longer receiving security patches, bug fixes, or technical support.
Complete migration to the new image-based platform immediately.
For the full support lifecycle and version status, see: Netwrix Endpoint Protector Server Supportability
This guide covers on-premises (Self-Hosted) deployments only. The Netwrix team migrates Netwrix-hosted SaaS appliances directly, so customers don't need to take any action. Unlike the self-hosted paths in this guide, SaaS migrations do carry historical log data over as part of that Netwrix-managed process — after migration, SaaS customers see two tabs in the Reports menu: one for historical data still held in MySQL, and one for current data captured and stored in CrateDB going forward. See Deployment Models: SaaS vs. Self-Hosted Update Cadence.
Overview
Endpoint Protector's server platform requires a full image migration rather than a simple in-place patch whenever the underlying base image changes. Netwrix is releasing a new base image, 2608, that refreshes the entire server stack: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, PHP 8.5, and updated MySQL and OpenSSL components. The 2608 image also introduces CrateDB, a new database component dedicated to storing log data going forward, alongside MySQL, which continues to own server configuration and EPP objects (Computers, Users, and Groups).
Every on-premises EPP Server — whether it's still on a legacy 5.x release or already migrated to the current image-based platform (2509–2604) — needs to migrate again to reach 2608.
CrateDB ships empty on a freshly deployed 2608 server. The migration doesn't move any historical log data into it — this matches today's behavior, where System Configuration Backup carries over policies, users, groups, and device rules, but never log data or file shadows. If you need historical logs for compliance or forensics, export them separately (see Audit Log Backup) or retain your old server VM, exactly as described in each migration article's prerequisites.
The migration path depends on where you're starting from:
Which Article Applies to You
Check your current server version under Appliance → Server Information, then follow the matching article.
| Your Current Version | Article to Follow |
|---|---|
| Any version from 5.7.0.0 to 5.9.4.2 (5700, 5710, 5800, 5810, 5820, 5900, 5910, 5920, 5930, 5940, 5941, 5942) | Migrating from a Legacy 5.x Server to 2608 |
| Any version from 2509 to 2604 (2509, 2510, 2601, 2602, 2604) | Migrating from the Current Image Platform to 2608 |
Netwrix expects to release 2608 in late August 2026. If you're on a legacy 5.x server and need to migrate sooner, the previous target platform (2510/2604) is still a valid, supported path — see Migrating from a Legacy 5.x Server to 2510/2604 (Temporary). If your timeline allows waiting, Netwrix recommends migrating directly to 2608 instead — migrating to 2510/2604 now means a second migration shortly afterward. Netwrix will retire this temporary article once 2608 is generally available.
Both articles converge on the same two final phases, common to every migration regardless of your starting version:
- Client Upgrade Management — upgrading EPP and Enforced Encryption (EE) clients to the 2608 release.
- Post-Migration Verification — see the final section of your migration article.
Understanding the Migration Architecture
Why an Intermediate Version Is Required for Legacy 5.x Servers
The 2608 base image accepts configuration backups from a fixed set of source versions only — it doesn't accept a backup from an arbitrary 5.x release. If you're on any version older than 5.9.4.2, you must reach 5.9.4.2 first. This is because:
- The internal database schema at 5.9.4.2 is the last known-compatible schema for import into the new image platform.
- The migration process validates the backup format and version checksum before restoring.
After you reach exactly 5.9.4.2, you deploy the 2608 image directly and restore your backup there — there's no need to route through the older 2510/2604 platform first.
If you're already on the current image-based platform (2509–2604), a different rule applies — see Migrating from the Current Image Platform to 2608.
Version compatibility matrix:
| Backup Source Version | Can Be Restored to 2608 |
|---|---|
| Older than 5.7.0.0 | ❌ Step-by-step upgrade path required first |
| 5.7.0.0 – 5.9.4.1 | ❌ Must reach 5.9.4.2 first via cumulative patch |
| 5.9.4.2 | ✅ Yes — direct to 2608 |
| 2509, 2510, 2601, 2602 | ✅ Yes, but Netwrix recommends upgrading to 2604 first |
| 2604 | ✅ Yes — the best-tested source version for 2608 |
If you're on 2509, 2510, 2601, or 2602, Netwrix recommends upgrading to 2604 before migrating to 2608. The 2604 → 2608 path is the most thoroughly tested in Netwrix labs; Netwrix hasn't validated other source versions in that range as extensively yet.
New EPP Client and Server Versioning
Starting with the 2509 EPP Server release in October 2025, Netwrix introduced a new versioning scheme. For details, see Unified EPP Clients and Server Versioning. With the 2608 release, EPP Server and EPP/EE Client versions share the same number for the first time — Netwrix releases both as 2608.
Prerequisites, Procedures, and Post-Migration Verification
Prerequisites and the exact migration procedure differ depending on your starting version — see Which Article Applies to You. Both articles end with their own Post-Migration Verification checklist, since a small number of checks (for example, license validation) apply identically regardless of your starting point.
After completing your migration article, continue to Client Upgrade Management to bring EPP and EE clients up to the 2608 release.