Alpha / Beta confusion

[Lee Cramman]

So I'm a bit confused about the current versioning.

I'm on the current release (3CX / Debian ISO). The console is showing an update to "NEW 16 Alpha". The release / beta field has it tagged as a "Beta". If you click through to the link it's described as an "Alpha". However, I'm aware Beta 1 has been released.

It seems unlikely that you would have to upgrade to an Alpha just to get the Beta... It seems equally unlikely that 3CX would roll out the Alpha as an upgrade option but not the Beta.

Can anyone explain the current state of play to me?

For bonus points, can anyone tell me if there will be a direct upgrade path from Beta once V16 is properly released and are V16 Beta backups backwards compatible with V15.5?

I never install Alphas in a production environment but I've been known to roll out the odd (good quality) Beta...

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi Lee,

Compare the Installed Version with the Online Version to see what's available. In the below screenshot we have a V15.5 ready to upgrade to V16.0.0.982 Alpha and once that's done, the next update that will appear will be V16.0.0.1375 Beta (you upgrade in steps). The Release/Beta field shows you whether its a normal release or a test version (Beta being a general label for non-release versions).



Yes its best to avoid installing it in a production environment, whether Alpha or Beta, it's really meant for testing before the final comes out. You should be able to upgrade from V16 beta to V16 release when it comes out, but we would not recommend it, best go from 15.5 release to 16 release when it's out.

Note that V16 backups are not backwards compatible with V15.5

 

[Lee Cramman]

Hi Lee,

Compare the Installed Version with the Online Version to see what's available. In the below screenshot we have a V15.5 ready to upgrade to V16.0.0.982 Alpha and once that's done, the next update that will appear will be V16.0.0.1375 Beta (you upgrade in steps). The Release/Beta field shows you whether its a normal release or a test version (Beta being a general label for non-release versions).

View attachment 9615

Yes its best to avoid installing it in a production environment, whether Alpha or Beta, it's really meant for testing before the final comes out. You should be able to upgrade from V16 beta to V16 release when it comes out, but we would not recommend it, best go from 15.5 release to 16 release when it's out.

Note that V16 backups are not backwards compatible with V15.5

Thank you - I will hold off.