Netbackup Migration and upgradation from 32 bit windows server 2003 to 64 bit windows server 2008

[Sayoungistan]

Environment

Current server

OS - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition Service Pack 2 32 Bit

Netbackup version  - 7.0 32 bit

Storage type - Tape storage

New server

OS - Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Service Pack 1 64 Bit

Netbackup version - Need to upgrade 7.6 64 bit

Storage type - Tape storage

Queries regarding migration and upgrade

1. Should we upgrade the existing Netbackup server then migrate or should we go for migration first.

2. Is it possible to upgrade Netbackup from 7.0 to 7.6 or we have to upgrade as following

     - 7.0 to 7.1

     - 7.1 to 7.5

     - 7.5 to 7.6

OR

     - 7.0 to 7.5

     - 7.5 to 7.6

3. For migration should we use Disk or Tape to backup/restore the catalog.

[Marianne · Accepted solution]

Important TNs:

NetBackup 7.x Upgrade Portal
http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH74584

Using catalog backup and recovery to transfer NetBackup catalogs between Windows master servers as part of a hardware refresh
http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH77447 

So, according to TECH74584, you can upgrade straight to 7.6 from 7.0. No need for any inbetween upgrades.

Migration to new hardware needs to happen 1st - see TECH77447. Then upgrade.

You cannot upgrade existing master as W2003 is no longer supported on 7.6.

Choice of Disk or Tape is entirely up to you.
I personally like Disk for catalog migration as USB drive is easy to config and transport between servers.

PS: 
About new server, please consider W2008 R2 (with latest SP).