Run Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 Together: Easy Setup Guide

Odoo is an all-in-one business software that offers a wide range of applications for CRM, e-commerce, accounting, inventory management, and more. Each version of Odoo comes with new features and improvements, but sometimes businesses may need to run different versions simultaneously to support specific modules or functionality. If you need to run both Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 on the same server, this guide will walk you through the process of setting it up with ease.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

- Why you might want to run Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 together.

- The prerequisites for setting up multiple Odoo versions.

- Step-by-step instructions on how to install and run both versions on the same server.

- Tips to ensure smooth performance while running both versions.

Why Run Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 Together?

There are several reasons why you might want to run Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 on the same server:

Business Continuity: You may have legacy systems built on Odoo 8 and need time to transition fully to Odoo 9.

Module Compatibility: Some custom modules may not yet be available or compatible with Odoo 9, requiring you to maintain Odoo 8.

Testing and Development: Running both versions allows you to test new features and ensure backward compatibility without disrupting your live environment.

Running both versions together can save time and resources, as you can manage everything from a single server instead of maintaining two separate environments.

Prerequisites for Running Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 Together

Before setting up both versions of Odoo on your server, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

VPS or Dedicated Server: Ensure your server has enough resources (CPU, RAM, and storage) to handle both Odoo versions running simultaneously.

Python Dependencies: Odoo 8 uses Python 2.7, while Odoo 9 uses Python 2.7 or 3.5+. You’ll need to set up separate virtual environments for each version to avoid conflicts.

PostgreSQL: Odoo uses PostgreSQL as its database. You can use the same PostgreSQL instance but need to create separate databases for Odoo 8 and Odoo 9.

Step-by-Step Guide to Running Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 Together

Step 1: Install the Necessary Dependencies

Before installing Odoo 8 and Odoo 9, make sure that your server has the necessary dependencies:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install git python-dev build-essential libxml2-dev libxslt1-dev zlib1g-dev libevent-dev libsasl2-dev libldap2-dev

Next, install PostgreSQL:

sudo apt-get install postgresql

Step 2: Set Up Separate Python Virtual Environments

To avoid dependency conflicts, it’s crucial to use virtual environments. Install virtualenv if you haven't already:

sudo apt-get install python-virtualenv

Now create two virtual environments—one for Odoo 8 and one for Odoo 9:

virtualenv ~/odoo8-env

virtualenv ~/odoo9-env

Activate the environments separately when working on each version:

For Odoo 8:

source ~/odoo8-env/bin/activate

For Odoo 9:

source ~/odoo9-env/bin/activate

Step 3: Install Odoo 8 and Odoo 9

To install both versions of Odoo, clone the corresponding Odoo repositories from their GitHub source (or use your own local repository if you have custom modules).

For Odoo 8:

cd /opt/

git clone --depth=1 --branch=8.0 https://github.com/odoo/odoo.git odoo8

For Odoo 9:

cd /opt/

git clone --depth=1 --branch=9.0 https://github.com/odoo/odoo.git odoo9

Step 4: Install Python Dependencies for Both Odoo Versions

Each Odoo version requires specific Python libraries. Install the required libraries within each virtual environment:

For Odoo 8:

cd /opt/odoo8

pip install -r requirements.txt

For Odoo 9:

cd /opt/odoo9

pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 5: Configure PostgreSQL Databases

Create separate databases for Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 in PostgreSQL. Open the PostgreSQL shell:

sudo su - postgres

psql

Create two new databases:

CREATE DATABASE odoo8_db;

CREATE DATABASE odoo9_db;

Exit the PostgreSQL shell:

\q

exit

Step 6: Configure Odoo 8 and Odoo 9

Next, configure separate configuration files for each Odoo version.

For Odoo 8, create a configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/odoo8.conf

Add the following details to the file:

[options]

db_host = False

db_port = False

db_user = odoo

db_password = False

addons_path = /opt/odoo8/addons

logfile = /var/log/odoo8/odoo.log

xmlrpc_port = 8069

Similarly, create a configuration file for Odoo 9:

sudo nano /etc/odoo9.conf

[options]

db_host = False

db_port = False

db_user = odoo

db_password = False

addons_path = /opt/odoo9/addons

logfile = /var/log/odoo9/odoo.log

xmlrpc_port = 8070

Step 7: Run Both Odoo Versions

To run Odoo 8:

source ~/odoo8-env/bin/activate

python /opt/odoo8/odoo.py --config=/etc/odoo8.conf

To run Odoo 9:

source ~/odoo9-env/bin/activate

python /opt/odoo9/odoo.py --config=/etc/odoo9.conf

You now have both versions of Odoo running on different ports (8069 for Odoo 8 and 8070 for Odoo 9).

Step 8: Access Odoo

Open your web browser and access each Odoo version:

- Odoo 8: http://your-server-ip:8069

- Odoo 9: http://your-server-ip:8070

You can log in to each instance using their respective databases and credentials.

Future Trends: Automation and Containerization

As server environments evolve, containerization with Docker is gaining popularity for running multiple instances of software. You can containerize both Odoo 8 and Odoo 9, making it easier to manage dependencies, scale resources, and improve portability. Automation tools like Ansible or Kubernetes can further streamline VPS management and reduce manual intervention.

Conclusion

Running Odoo 8 and Odoo 9 together on the same server allows businesses to benefit from the features of both versions without disrupting operations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up both versions efficiently and manage them side-by-side. As server technologies continue to advance, using automation and containerization can further enhance your ability to manage multiple Odoo instances in the future.

At Cyfuture, we are dedicated to providing cutting-edge VPS solutions to help you manage multiple applications and versions seamlessly.