Ping Identity issues new software builds periodically and distributes the software package in zip format. Administrators can use the Directory Proxy Server’s update utility to update the current server code with the latest features and bug fixes. To update the Directory Proxy Server to a newer version, download the build package, and then unzip the new server package on the same host as the server that you wish to update. Before upgrading a server, you should ensure that it is capable of starting without severe or fatal errors.

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For additional considerations, see Planning your upgrade.

During an update process, the updater checks a manifest file that contains a MD5 checksum of each file in its original state when installed from zip. Next, it compares the checksum of the new server files to that of the old server. Any files that have different checksums will be updated. For files that predates the manifest file generation, the file is backed up and replaced. The updater also logs all file changes in the history directory to tell what files have been changed.

For schema updates, the update tool preserves any custom schema definitions (99-user.ldif). For any default schema element changes, if any, the updater will warn the user about this condition and then create a patch schema file and copy it into the server’s schema directory. For configuration files, the update tool preserves the configuration file, config.ldif, unless new configuration options must be added to the Directory Proxy Server.

Once the updater finishes its processing, it checks if the newly updated server starts without any fatal errors. If an error occurs during the update process, the update tool reverts the server root instance to the server state prior to the update.