Note: This documentation is still in progress, not reviewed properly, and might contain some errors or outdated images. It's intended for the upcoming 4.0.0 release, so configuration settings might be different from previous versions.

Upgrading Poweradmin

General Upgrade Instructions

When upgrading Poweradmin from any version to a newer one, follow these general steps:

  1. Backup your database - This is critical before any upgrade
  2. Backup your existing files - Make a complete backup of your current installation
  3. Replace files - Replace all files with the new version's files
  4. Restore configuration - Depending on your version:
  5. For versions < 4.x: Restore inc/config.inc.php from your backup
  6. For versions ≥ 4.x: Restore config/settings.php from your backup
  7. Update database structure - If required by the specific version upgrade
  8. Test functionality - Verify all features work correctly after upgrade

Important Considerations

  • Always read the release notes for the version you're upgrading to and any intermediate versions
  • Neglecting to follow proper upgrade procedures may result in a non-functioning installation
  • It's recommended to perform upgrades in a test environment first before applying to production
  • After upgrading, check the system for any warnings or errors
  • Verify that zones and records remain accessible and editable
  • Report any bugs or issues you encounter during the upgrade process

Upgrade Path

If you're upgrading across multiple major versions, it's often safest to upgrade incrementally through each major version rather than jumping directly to the latest version.

If you're upgrading from a very old version (e.g., 2.0.0) to the latest 4.0.0, we recommend the following path:

  1. 2.0.0 → 2.1.4 (Important database structure changes)
  2. 2.1.4 → 2.2.2 (API integration changes)
  3. 2.2.2 → 3.2.0 (DNSSEC implementation)
  4. 3.2.0 → 3.9.2 (Security improvements)
  5. 3.9.2 → 4.0.0 (Complete architecture overhaul)

Critical Versions with SQL Migrations

The following versions include important database structure changes:

  • v2.1.4 - Added supermasters and domainmetadata tables
  • v3.0.0 - Added cryptokeys table for DNSSEC
  • v3.2.0 - Schema updates for PowerDNS API integration
  • v3.4.0 - Added tsigkeys table
  • v4.0.0 - Complete schema overhaul, including user management

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during or after an upgrade:

  1. Check the PHP and web server error logs
  2. Verify database connectivity and permissions
  3. Ensure file permissions are set correctly
  4. Review the specific upgrade instructions for the version you're upgrading to