To be safe in case of any problems during the update, back up your database before the upgrade.
Linux: execute sudo stages stop
Windows: stop the Stages and Stages Search Windows services
Linux: execute sudo rpm -Uvh stages-…rpm or sudo yum localinstall stages-…rpm, depending on your Linux flavor
Windows: execute Stages V7.9 Windows installer in an administrative command prompt and follow the assistant steps
Linux: execute sudo stages reload
Windows: verify that Stages and Stages Search Windows services are running