How to Restart Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Instance

In the lifecycle of an Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) instance, there may be times when you need to restart it. This could be due to several reasons, such as applying a new configuration, implementing updates, or troubleshooting issues. This guide will walk you through the process of restarting an AEM instance.

Key Takeaways

• An AEM instance might need to be restarted for various reasons including new configurations, updates, or troubleshooting.
• The process to restart an AEM instance differs slightly based on the operating system you are using.
• It’s important to ensure all users are informed prior to the restart to prevent any loss of data.
• Verifying the successful restart of your AEM instance is a crucial final step.

Understanding AEM Instance Restart

Restarting an AEM instance involves stopping the currently running instance and then starting it again. This allows the system to refresh its state and apply any new configurations or updates.

When to Restart an AEM Instance

While AEM is designed to run continuously, situations may arise where a restart is necessary. These include:

• Applying Configuration Changes: Some configuration changes require a restart to take effect.
• Installing Updates or Patches: When you install a new update or patch, you typically need to restart the instance for the changes to take effect.
• Troubleshooting: If you’re experiencing issues with your AEM instance, a restart might help resolve them.

Preparing for an AEM Instance Restart

Before restarting your AEM instance, it’s important to prepare to minimize the impact on users.

1. Inform Users: Let all users know about the planned restart and advise them to save their work.
2. Check System State: Review the current system state to understand what processes are running and might be impacted by the restart.

Restarting an AEM Instance on a Unix-Based System

If you’re using a Unix-based system like Linux or macOS, follow these steps to restart your AEM instance:

1. Stop the AEM Instance: Navigate to the crx-quickstart/bin directory in your command line interface and run the stop script: ./stop.
2. Start the AEM Instance: Once the instance has stopped, run the start script: ./start.

Restarting an AEM Instance on a Windows System

If you’re using a Windows system, follow these steps to restart your AEM instance:

1. Stop the AEM Instance: Navigate to the crx-quickstart/bin directory in your command line interface and run the stop.bat script: stop.bat.
2. Start the AEM Instance: Once the instance has stopped, run the start.bat script: start.bat.

Verifying the AEM Instance Restart

After the restart, it’s important to verify that your AEM instance is running correctly.

1. Check the AEM Console: Open the AEM console in your web browser to confirm that the instance is up and running.
2. Review Logs: Check the AEM logs for any errors that occurred during the restart.

Conclusion

Knowing how to restart an AEM instance is a crucial skill for any AEM administrator. Whether you’re applying updates, making configurations, or troubleshooting, the ability to restart your AEM instance safely and effectively is key to maintaining a healthy AEM environment. Always remember to prepare before the restart, follow the correct steps based on your operating system, and verify the restart once it’s complete.