What are the differences between an update and an upgrade?

Owned by Damian Rozmiarkowski (Unlicensed)
Last updated: May 29, 2023
3 min read

Introduction

The terms update and upgrade, in relation to client XTM Cloud servers, have different meanings in the XTM Cloud software environment, and distinguishing between them properly prevents unnecessary confusion. It is therefore vital for you to know what they specifically refer to.

Update

The updating of the server consists in moving a server up to the most recent XTM Cloud package version within the same XTM Cloud version as your server is currently in.

The update is usually performed for the purpose of obtaining required fixes/improvements which were deployed in that particular XTM Cloud version, but your server does not have them yet because the package version on that server is older than the package version in which a particular fix/improvement was implemented; hence the need to update the server.

For example, your server has XTM Cloud v.12.9, and the package from 21 February 2022, installed on it:

But the fix was prepared and deployed on the newer version of this package, for example, the one from 1 April 2022:

In such a case, the update pattern looks like this:

v.12.9 (old package) -> v.12.9 (new package)

The total time reserved for the update process is 2 hours.

Upgrade

The upgrading of the server consists of moving a server up to a completely new XTM Cloud version. The upgrade is usually to the newest XTM Cloud package version of that XTM Cloud version.

The upgrade is usually performed for the purpose of obtaining required fixes/improvements which were deployed in that particular XTM version (and for some reason have not been retrofitted to the XTM Cloud version currently running on your server) and also for acquiring brand-new features that have been devised and deployed specifically in that version (new XTM Cloud features are not retrofitted to lower XTM Cloud versions by default).

For example, your server has XTM Cloud v.12.9:

But a particular fix/improvement/feature was deployed onto a new XTM Cloud version, 13.3:

In such a case, the upgrade pattern is as follows:

v.12.9 -> v.13.0

The overall time reserved for the upgrade process might vary depending on the version range between the current version of XTM on Cloud that is installed the server and the version of XTM Cloud that the server is to be upgraded to. The minimum time is 3 hours.

Good to know!

Apart from providing the most recent packages, the XTM International Support team also performs a standard check-up of the most prominent XTM functionalities to ensure a particular server’s overall operability. Furthermore, if possible, the TEST/UAT server is updated/upgraded first place (if you have one) so that you can verify if the delivered product meets your requirements/expectations in terms of usability and/or efficiency.