Upgrade Magento CE To 1.8 or 1.9 - Simple Checklist

Magento 1.9 Up-gradation is now a perfect choice since it meets the needs of users as well as merchants. It may be too early to transition your live store, but testing it is extremly important so that you can start making a plan for upgradation to Magento CE 1.9.

Magento recommends following guidelines for the installation of upgrade in test and development cases apart from your current production environment:

Related Links:

Magento CE 1.8 vs. 1.9 – New Features & Difference Comparison

Prerequisites for Up-Gradation:

Choose another directory different from earlier one:

• It is recommended that setup a new system i.e. another host for the installation of Magento. The system should be of same capabilities, in case you cannot acquire a better one than your existing system.
• Select an empty root directory for installation on existing server.

Measures Before Update:

Installation within your existing production environment:

• Backup the database of your existing Magento system.
• Secure the archive of your existing file system.

Note: The archive comprise of media directories & subdirectories, modules, customization settings and themes.

Steps To Preserve Database:

Preparations for test & development environment:

• Create an instance of empty development database.
• Import the tables of production database into the instance of development database.
• Now copy the production media directories, extensions, templates and other custom settings in the development system.
• At this step, copy ‘local.xml’ in the Magento installation directory and rename it to mark a reference on the instance of production database.
• Now navigate to base URL of the development system by using your web browser.
• Now wait until upgrade scripts executes.
• Make sure that development system is equally capable to production system, in-case not resolve the issues, retest, and check to upgrade again.

Testing:

Comprehensively test the development system, along with:

• Make sure that all themes, modules and customization settings are in working order.
• Place orders by through all webstores and payment options.