Confused about license server migration

Hi,

We currently have a license server setup for Matlab 2012b. We need to update it for supporting 2013b, but also the OS needs to be upgraded, so we're looking into creating a new virtual machine for the license server and migrate to it.

I have trawled the questions available, but am still not sure about the following: - Is it possible to fully setup the license server without having it in production, and flick the license at the last minute in order to reduce downtime? - Does the latest version of the license server / license support previous versions of Matlab? - What's the best way to manage the clients of the network license during the migration to the new license server, in order to minimise disruption?

I know these are big questions, sorry. It's the first time we have to make changes to this license server, and it's a bit daunting to not be able to test the change in dev.

[Walter Roberson]

Is it acceptable for each client to be disrupted once, or does the transition need to be seamless?