Running different versions of FM Server on same domain

[ericmurphy]

We're currently running FM Server 5.5/FM Pro 6.0 on our Windows network, Server 2003 on the servers, XP SP3 on the workstations. I'm planning on Migrating to FM Server 9/FM Pro 9 on the same domain.

I would like to have FM Server installed and tested before we switch over to live data from the Server 5.5/client 6.0 installation we currently have. Doing this would require that Server 5.5 and Server 9 run simultaneously on the same domain (although hopefully on different servers) at least for the testing period, which should be a week or less.

Are there any issues I should be aware of (assuming the above is even possible) prior to rolling out Server 9? I assume that since FM Pro 6 and 9 are different file formats, the potential for database corruption is minimal, but are there other sandtraps I should look out for?

[Fitch]

They have to run on different servers. As long as your machines meet the specs, you should be OK as far as installation and configuration. But there are many, many issues to deal with in migrating your files from FileMaker 6: search the archives for the Migration white papers.

[ericmurphy]

The file migration is done; I've been re-writing the databases for about two months now. It's just getting them hosted under Filemaker Server that hasn't happened yet. Currently they're just being hosted by my workstation as shared databases, not running live data.