Demystifying how to migrate the configuration of an existing NetScaler appliance to another NetScaler appliance

 

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Instructions

1. Take the ns.conf and ssl files from old appliance, deploy the new appliance and do the initial network configuration:
   • https://docs.netscaler.com/en-us/citrix-hardware-platforms/mpx/netscaler-initial-configurationif the new appliance use the same IP as old ADC remember to isolate one or the other in order to avoid the IP conflict, after initial network configuration you can apply the new config file to the new adc using 'Batch configuration'
2. Copy over the ns.conf file (/flash/nsconfig/ns.conf) from the old Appliance, as well as the contents of ./var/netscaler/ssl  as this contains the certificates contained on the old Appliance,
3. Place content of the folder SSL in the new netscaler (this can be done after initial config or before the if no changes in configuration need to occur). 
   • For an initial configuration guide, refer to the following document: https://docs.netscaler.com/en-us/citrix-hardware-platforms/mpx/netscaler-initial-configuration
4. After you backup the ns.conf and the ssl files, you need to modify the current ns.conf in order to apply it to the new Appliance. Delete or modify any line that could cause a potential issue, for example, the hostname, any command that reference the NSIP.
   • As per the document: https://docs.netscaler.com/en-us/citrix-hardware-platforms/mpx/migrating-configuration-of-existing-appliance-to-another-appliance.html#migrate-a-configuration
5. When the file, and the new appliance are prepared; Access the ADC via GUI and Navigate to 'System > Diagnostics > Utilities > Batch configuration' and upload the file. No output file path is needed and the number of tries could be set to 2 this will try to re- apply the command in case any issues arise.

 

This document describe how to migrate the ns.conf file from an ADC to another using Batch Configuration.

Best practices for network configurations - https://docs.netscaler.com/en-us/citrix-adc/current-release/networking/best-practices-network-configurations.html

Initial configuration - https://docs.netscaler.com/en-us/citrix-hardware-platforms/mpx/netscaler-initial-configuration.html

Migrate the configuration of an existing NetScaler appliance to another NetScaler appliance - https://docs.netscaler.com/en-us/citrix-hardware-platforms/mpx/migrating-configuration-of-existing-appliance-to-another-appliance.html#:~:text=Shut%20down%20the%20old%20appliance,(NSIP)%20and%20subnet%20mask.