How to correctly upgrade older versions of FAB Subtitle Database

In most cases installing new FAB Subtitle Database is simple:

  • Run the installation program, which will create a backup copy of the database and start new version of the FAB Subtitle Database service.
  • Close and run FAB Subtitle Database client program(s) on workstations so that they are refreshed from the FAB Subtitle Database server.

There are, however, few special scenarios that require additional care and which are described below.

Master/Standby

In case of a Master/Standby configuration, it is recommended that installation program is first run on one instance (say, Master). Run it on another instance (say, Standby) only when first installation program completes its work and the FAB Subtitle Database service is correctly started. This way, FAB Subtitler BCAST instances will always be able to communicate with one of the FAB Subtitle Database servers.

Upgrading from version older than 4.0

If your FAB Subtitle Database has version lower than 4.0, it is required that FAB Subtitle Database 4.0 is installed first. After the installation is successful, you have to wait until the database is fully reindex. Please check the FAB Subtitle Database log occasionally for the following message:

‘‘Background command processor: Completed database reindex’’

After this message appears in the log, you can upgrade the FAB Subtitle Database to the latest version by following the steps in the next section (“Upgrading from version older than 5.0”).

If you are running a Master/Standby configuration, you should follow the next procedure:

  • Upgrade the Master instance.
  • Wait for the following line to appear in the log: ‘‘Background command processor: Reindexing database’’
  • Upgrade the Standby instance.

Wait for the following line to appear in both Master and Standby logs:

‘‘Background command processor: Completed database reindex’’

Finish the upgrade process to upgrade to the latest version by following the steps below.

Upgrading from version older than 5.0

The FAB Subtitle Database introduced new database structure which reduces database size on the disk. If you are upgrading from version lower than 5.0 you should follow the procedure below:

  • Upgrade the FAB Subtitle Database service.
  • Wait for the following line to appear in the log: ‘‘Background command processor: Completed moving subtitle files’’
  • Do the database Backup followed by the database Restore. Both operations are described in the FAB Subtitle Database manual.

If you are running a Master/Standby configuration, you should follow the next procedure:

  • Upgrade the Master instance.
  • Wait for the following line to appear in the log: ‘‘Background command processor: Moving subtitle files’’
  • Upgrade the Standby instance.

Wait for the following line to appear in any log (Master or Standby):

‘‘Background command processor: Completed moving subtitle files’’

  • Do the database Backup followed by the database Restore on the appropriate instance.

It is best if only one instance at the time is doing the Backup/Restore, as this will allow FAB Subtitler BCAST instances to always communicate with one of the FAB Subtitle Database servers.

This page was last updated on 2020-05-26