Downgrading Replication Server to an earlier version

“Downgrading” means reverting to an earlier version of the software. You cannot downgrade an RSSD to a version below the site version.

Before you downgrade:

Read the Replication Server Release Bulletin for information about downgrading your software. In particular, find out if an RSSD downgrade is required to return to the earlier version.When you downgrade to an earlier software version, you must install the earlier software. Read the release bulletin for the earlier version of Replication Server. Then refer to the installation or configuration guide for that version for installation instructions.

If an RSSD downgrade is not required, you do not have to perform these steps. Reinstall the earlier software version following the instructions in Replication Server Installation Guide.
Back up your system.

If you are downgrading to a directory other than the existing Sybase version directory, verify that the appropriate sql.ini file is accessible.
Back up the RSSD for the Replication Server you plan to downgrade.

Downgrading to an earlier software version

Stop Replication Agent for all primary databases and system databases by executing the command on Replication Server:

suspend log transfer from all

If you are using Adaptive Server as your RSSD, stop RepAgent for the RSSD:

sp_stop_rep_agent emb

If you are going to downgrade a replicate Replication Server, log in to the primary Replication Server and suspend all the routes to the replicate Replication Server:

suspend route to replicate_Replication_Server

Verify that the Replication Server queues have been drained and that Replication Server has been quiesced:

admin quiesce_check

Retry using admin quiesce_force_rsi if Replication Server is not quiesced yet.

WARNING! You may lose data if you proceed with the downgrade process and Replication Server is not quiesced.

Verify that the RSSDs and the Replication Servers you plan to downgrade are running.

In the Sybase for Windows group window, double-click the Replication Server Configuration icon. You see the RS_Init window.

Select Configure a Server Product, then choose Continue.

Select Replication Server, then choose Continue.

Select Downgrade RSSD for an Existing Replication Server, then choose Continue.

Complete the Downgrade RSSD for Replication Server screen with the information from the “Replication Server installation worksheet” for the Replication Server you are downgrading.
1. Enter the name of the Replication Server for which you are downgrading the RSSD.
2. Enter the login name for the Replication Server “sa” user. The default value is “sa.”
3. Enter the password for the Replication Server “sa” user.
4. Enter the path name of the Replication Server configuration file.
Select Continue to save your changes. You see:
```
Execute the Replication Server tasks now?
```
Select Yes to continue.

Informational messages appear as rs_init loads the downgrade script into the RSSD. When the downgrade is complete, you see these messages:
```
RSSD successfully downgraded to rel_no.
Replication Server 'rs_name' can now be restarted.
Task to downgrade the RSSD succeeded.
Configuration completed successfully.
```
where:
- rel_no – is the Replication Server version from which you are downgrading.
- rs_name – is the name of your Replication Server.

Select OK. You see:

Replication Server “rs_name” can now be restarted

Select OK. You see:
```
Configuration completed successfully.
```
Select OK. You see the Setup window.
Select Exit.
Shut down all Replication Servers and Replication Agents on this machine.
Restart the Replication Servers and Replication Agents.
If you are using Adaptive Server as the RSSD, restart the RepAgent for the RSSD:
```
sp_start_rep_agent emb
```

Downgrade restrictions

Once you set the replication system version to a new level, you cannot downgrade any Replication Servers in the replication system below that version level, or install a Replication Server below that version level.

For example, if you upgrade to version 15.5, Replication Server may write some 1550 version commands to the inbound queue after the upgrade. Versions of Replication Server earlier than 15.5 cannot recognize the version 15.5 commands.

To return to an earlier software version, reinstall all Replication Servers and re-create your replication applications.

If you do not want to use new features that depend on the site version, do not set the Replication Server site version after the upgrade. You can then downgrade to an earlier version if needed.
If you plan to downgrade in a directory other than the existing Sybase version directory, verify that the interfaces (sql.ini) file is accessible.
If necessary, downgrade the RSSD for each Replication Server you are downgrading. You must downgrade the RSSD using the predowngrade—that is, the most recent—version of rs_init.