Rolling Back an Ascent 2011 Database
The information provided is for help with Commtest Instruments products:
• Ascent® 2011 software and later
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PROBLEM
I recently upgraded my Ascent 2010 database so it could function with the newer Ascent 2011 software. However, now I wish to reverse or roll back the changes made to the database so I can use it once again with the older 2010 version of the Ascent software. Is this possible?
SOLUTION
Yes, but only if you still have the database backup file created automatically during the Ascent 2011 upgrade process.
Before any older Ascent database is upgraded to work with Ascent 2011, the software creates a backup of the old database in your default backup folder. This backup file is version 9.45.7 (Ascent 2010) compatible and should be used if you wish to revert back to the 2010 version of Ascent. This database cannot be used versions older than 2010.
However, if at some point after the upgrade you created a newer backup version, then this backup file cannot be used as it will contain extra structure and data that is only compatible with Ascent 2011 and later software. If you copied the upgrade backup file to another location, you can use this copy as stated above.
The steps needed to roll back your 2011 version database using the Ascent 2010 software are as follows:
- Install Ascent 2010 (version 9.45.7)
- Open or create a blank database in Ascent 2010
- Click on the Database button and select Backup Options
- Navigate to the Files tab and locate the backup file created during the Ascent 2011 upgrade process
- Restore the current database using this backup file
Important Notes:
- The Ascent 2011 software release uses a newer version of the Firebird server (version 2.1). This means that during the installation, Ascent installer will uninstall Firebird versions older than 2.1. This process requires administrator rights, so users may need to talk to their system administrators. If you wish to revert back to Ascent 2010 then Firebird 2.1 will be left on your system because it offers benefits such as network speed improvements.
- All Firebird databases have an internal version stamp called and ODS (On Disk Structure). The Firebird server automatically checks this version stamp when connecting to a database to ensure that it can 'understand' the database's structure. If you create or restore a database using the newer Firebird version 2.1 and other users then try to connect to this database with an older version of the Firebird server (such as that used for older versions of the Ascent software), they will be prompted with an ODS error message.
Similarly, if you downgrade from Firebird 2.1 (included with Ascent 2011) to an older version, then any database you create or upgrade with 2.1 will no longer be accessible. If this should happen you will need to contact Commtest.
Last updated: August 9 2011