diff --git a/content/admin/overview/about-upgrades-to-new-releases.md b/content/admin/overview/about-upgrades-to-new-releases.md index f8fb94877f76..2c8f9d74dfca 100644 --- a/content/admin/overview/about-upgrades-to-new-releases.md +++ b/content/admin/overview/about-upgrades-to-new-releases.md @@ -20,12 +20,18 @@ All feature releases begin with at least one release candidate. ## Release candidates +> [!CAUTION] +> **Do not install a release candidate in a production environment.** Release candidate builds are intended solely for test and staging environments. + +> [!WARNING] +> **Do not upgrade to a release candidate from a supported, earlier version.** Instead, install a release candidate in a new, test environment. + +> [!IMPORTANT] +> **Do not upgrade from the release candidate to later versions**, including generally available releases. Instead, destroy the release candidate environment. + Release candidates are _proposed_ feature releases, with a complete feature set. There may be problems that can only be found by customers actually using the release. -For performance, stability, and security reasons: -* **Do not install a release candidate in a production environment.** Release candidate builds are intended solely for test and staging environments. -* **Do not upgrade to a release candidate from a supported, earlier version.** Instead, install a release candidate in a new, test environment. -* **Do not upgrade from the release candidate to later versions**, including generally available releases. Instead, destroy the release candidate environment. +For performance, stability, and security reasons, follow these guidelines when testing release candidates. As you test a release candidate, please provide feedback by contacting support. See [AUTOTITLE](/support). @@ -35,18 +41,38 @@ Each new release candidate adds bug fixes for issues found in prior versions. Wh Between feature releases, you can benefit from patch releases, which: -* Consist of hot patches and bug fixes -* Happen more frequently than feature releases -* Are generally available when first released, with no release candidates -* Typically require less than five minutes of downtime +- Consist of hot patches and bug fixes +- Happen more frequently than feature releases +- Are generally available when first released, with no release candidates +- Typically require less than five minutes of downtime + +## Decision matrix: Choosing your upgrade path + +| Release type | When to use | Expected downtime | Environment recommendation | +|--------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------------| +| **Stable Feature** | Production environments | 5-30 minutes | Recommended for production | +| **Release Candidate** | Testing new features | Minimal | Test/staging only | +| **Patch** | Bug fixes between features | <5 minutes | Production ready | ## Upgrading {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} There are two ways to upgrade {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}: -* To set up a **completely new {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} instance** and configure the instance however you like, see [AUTOTITLE](/admin/installation/setting-up-a-github-enterprise-server-instance) and [AUTOTITLE](/admin/configuration/configuring-your-enterprise). -* To upgrade your **existing instance** to a new release, see [AUTOTITLE](/admin/upgrading-your-instance/preparing-to-upgrade/overview-of-the-upgrade-process). +### Option 1: New instance +Set up a **completely new {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} instance** and configure the instance however you like. + +**Steps:** +- See [AUTOTITLE](/admin/installation/setting-up-a-github-enterprise-server-instance) +- Then see [AUTOTITLE](/admin/configuration/configuring-your-enterprise) + +### Option 2: Existing instance upgrade +Upgrade your **existing instance** to a new release. + +**Steps:** +- See [AUTOTITLE](/admin/upgrading-your-instance/preparing-to-upgrade/overview-of-the-upgrade-process) ## Further reading -* [{% data variables.product.prodname_roadmap %}]({% data variables.product.prodname_roadmap_link %}) in the `github/roadmap` repository +- [{% data variables.product.prodname_roadmap %}]({% data variables.product.prodname_roadmap_link %}) in the `github/roadmap` repository +- [AUTOTITLE](/admin/upgrading-your-instance/preparing-to-upgrade/overview-of-the-upgrade-process) +- [AUTOTITLE](/admin/installation/setting-up-a-github-enterprise-server-instance)