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How to migrate from the legacy Kiwi Syslog Server to Kiwi Syslog Server NG (KSS NG)

This article provides information for migrating from the Legacy Kiwi syslog server to KSS NG.

First published date

9/2/2025 4:59 PM

Last published date

9/26/2025 12:33 PM

Overview

The SolarWinds legacy Kiwi Syslog Server 9.8.3 will be EOL effective from March 28, 2026.
With that, SolarWinds encourages our customers to migrate from Kiwi Syslog Legacy (9.8.3 is the last version) to the latest version of Kiwi Syslog NG.
Kiwi Syslog NG is not an upgrade of Kiwi Syslog Legacy. It should be treated as a migration rather than an upgrade.
Although both products have the same target features, the Kiwi Syslog NG is now the new architecture of Kiwi Syslog. No further updates will be released for Kiwi Syslog Legacy.

Product section

Kiwi Syslog Server

Resolution

Ensure that the Kiwi Syslog Legacy version to migrate is the last version, 9.8.3. If the version is older than 9.8.3, upgrade from Legacy 9.8.X to 9.8.3 to ensure any bugs fixed in the older version have been applied.
1. Ref: Legacy Kiwi Syslog Server Upgrade Guide
Backup the Kiwi Legacy Settings:
1. Export Kiwi Syslog Server settings:
  1. Open Kiwi Syslog Service Manager.
  2. Go to File > Export settings to INI file.
  3. Save the SyslogServerSettings.ini file to a safe location accessible from the new server if there is.
  4. Backup important folders: C:\Program Files (x86)\Syslogd (includes program files and logs). If your syslog messages (*.txt) are stored elsewhere, back up that folder as well.
Decide whether to install the KSS NG on the same server as KSS Legacy.
1. However, if there is still unfamiliarity with the KSS NG, we suggest installing it on a separate server first to try it out. Installing on a test server will give a 15-day trial to explore NG and try to import the filtera from KSS Legacy. Ref: Migrate rules to KSS NG
Once ready to migrate:
1. Update the backup from KSS Legacy.
2. Uninstall KSS Legacy. It is also possible to keep the Legacy, just stop the "Kiwi Syslog Server" service before installing the NG.
Install the KSS NG: Kiwi Syslog Server NG Installation and Upgrade Guide . Make sure to read the Kiwi Syslog Server NG 1.4 system requirements .
Import Rules from KSS Legacy: Migrate rules to KSS NG
Get the KSS NG license from the SolarWinds Customer Portal. (KSS Legacy and KSS NG have different licenses.)
1. To activate: Login to KSS NG Page: Admin > Licensing

Disclaimer: Please note, any content posted herein is provided as a suggestion or recommendation to you for your internal use. This is not part of the SolarWinds software or documentation that you purchased from SolarWinds, and the information set forth herein may come from third parties. Your organization should internally review and assess to what extent, if any, such custom scripts or recommendations will be incorporated into your environment. You elect to use third-party content at your own risk, and you will be solely responsible for the incorporation of the same if any.