If you find it necessary to downgrade your version of LoadGen, it’s essential to follow a specific process to avoid data loss or corruption. Please note that LoadGen does not recommend downgrading, as many crucial updates and features may not be available in older versions. Nevertheless, if you need to revert to a previous version, follow these steps carefully:
1. Restore XML Files
LoadGen stores important configuration data in XML files, which need to be restored to a previous state when downgrading. To do this:
- Navigate to %programdata%\LoadGen on your system.
- Restore the XML files from a backup or from the date when you upgraded to a newer version. Ensure that you are only restoring these XML files and nothing else at this stage.
Tip: Always keep a backup of the %programdata%\LoadGen folder before any major upgrade, in case you need to perform a rollback later.
2. Restore Your Flows
Flows are critical components of your LoadGen testing setup, but they may not be backward compatible. To handle this:
- Restore your Flow files from the date of the upgrade.
- Ensure that you back up any Flows that you have modified after the upgrade, as these may not work correctly when downgrading to an older version.
Warning: Flows that were opened or modified in newer versions of LoadGen Studio (e.g., version 7330) may not be compatible with older versions.
3. Download and install an older version of LoadGen
Once you’ve restored the necessary files, the next step is to download the specific version of LoadGen that you want to downgrade to.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the LoadGen Command-Line Parameters for Versioning article.
- Review the list of available versions in this LoadGen Updates Archive.
- Choose the desired version and follow the instructions on the command line page to install it.
This step ensures that the LoadGen Director, Studio, and related components are rolled back to the correct version.
4. Update Agents and Add-ins
After downgrading your main LoadGen software, it's vital to update your LoadGen Agents and Add-ins to match the version you rolled back to.
- Agents: Ensure that all LoadGen Agents are downgraded to the same version. If you don't, the Agents and Studio/Director might experience compatibility issues.
- Add-ins: If you are using Citrix, VMware Horizon, or other LoadGen Add-ins, ensure they are also rolled back to the compatible versions.
5. Important Considerations for Flows
Since Flows created or opened in newer versions of LoadGen may not be compatible with older versions, it's critical not to reuse any Flow files that have been modified or opened after the upgrade. If you attempt to use these Flows, they may cause errors or inconsistencies in your tests.
Instead:
- Use only the Flow files that were created in or last opened with the version you are downgrading to.
- Consider re-creating any newer Flows to ensure they function as expected in the downgraded environment.
Summary of Rollback Process:
- Restore XML files from the upgrade date.
- Restore Flow files to the older version and back up recent changes.
- Download and install the desired older version of LoadGen.
- Update all Agents and Add-ins to ensure compatibility.
- Avoid using Flows that have been modified in newer versions.
Why downgrading is not recommended
While downgrading is technically possible, it is not recommended because:
- Incompatibility Issues: Flows and other configurations created in newer versions may not function correctly in older versions.
- Loss of Features: Newer LoadGen versions come with critical performance improvements, new features, and security updates that will be lost when downgrading.
- Support Limitations: LoadGen support is primarily focused on current and future releases, so fixing issues in older versions might not be prioritized.
If you still choose to proceed with the downgrade, please ensure you follow the steps carefully to prevent data loss and workflow issues.