What Is the Best Way to Update ServiceDesk Plus?

How to Safely Update ServiceDesk Plus With Service Packs

The ServiceDesk Plus team at ManageEngine frequently release new features and fixes, which we post on our Blog page here. Keeping up to date with these releases ensures your installation stays secure and you are using ServiceDesk Plus to its fullest capability. Read on for a quick walkthrough on how to update safely.

Backup, Backup, Backup

Check Your Current Version

Before you start you will need to check your version of ServiceDesk Plus, so you can identify which patch updates you require.

You can find your version number by clicking on the ‘?’ (question mark) icon in the top-right of the ServiceDesk Plus GUI, and then the ‘About’ link in the drop-down menu. You should see something similar to the following:

Download the Service Packs

Once you have identified the version refer to the Service Packs link to check for the available patch updates. Note you may have to apply more than one patch to upgrade to the latest build and each patch will. need to be applied in sequence, starting ServiceDesk Plus once during each successful patch application. If your current Build is not shown refer to the migration sequence to see the complete list of patch files you might need.

The older the version, the more update patches that must be applied, which is one of the reasons to keep on top of ServiceDesk Plus updates.

Stop the Service

You will not be able to backup or update ServiceDesk Plus without stopping the service. On the application server, go to Services and stop the ‘ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus’ service.

Run the Update Command

To apply the backup file use the Command Prompt (run as admin) to navigate to your ServiceDesk Plus home folder, and then the /bin folder. For example:

cd c:/ManageEngine/ServiceDesk Plus/bin

Then execute the ‘UpdateManager.bat’ file.

Once you’ve done this, a Java UI window will pop up. Navigate to the ‘.ppm’ patch file and install it.

You may get an option to backup, and in some updates this backup process is forced. There is a method to stop this forced backup but it varies from build to build, so please contact us here for further assistance if you are attempting to apply a large sequence of patches or your product backups take a long time to complete.

Once the update has finished, start the service again and make sure everything is working as it should. Please note that these initial start-ups sometimes take longer than usual. It is important to start ServiceDesk Plus at least once after every successful patch application.

If you are following an update path, you will need to ensure the service starts and the application is functioning before proceeding to the next patch.

In Summary

In summary, staying on top of ServiceDesk Plus updates is essential if you want to use the latest features and ensure your help desk is secure.

This is sometimes easier said than done, so we are always here to provide assistance. Contact us here for any help, or if you’d like to engage with our professional services related to ServiceDesk Plus.

If you need more information on the new features, any help with updating your application, or have any questions please contact us here.