LotAtc Installer update

Conclusion on beta phase with new LotAtc Installer

LotAtc DCS installer

During the beta phase on LotAtc 2.0.0, I introduced a new installer with some cool features:

• Packages management
  • less bandwidth
  • faster update
  • better compression
  • split terrain, relief in packages
• One installer for both client and server
• Auto-update from LotAtc
• Easy patch deployment

Since its deployment, I get great feedbacks on this new way to install LotAtc and it is makes a lot of changes on how I deliver and maintain this software. The goal is to make it better for users!

As you know, I will introduce LotAtc Generator software in few weeks and Instructor module for LotAtc Client, they will be delivered through the LotAtc Installer also of course. (I am late on more details on it, all my apologies).

I will release very soon the 2.0.0-rc1 (first release candidate) and it will introduce some important changes described below.

Release version

Starting with 2.0.0-rc1, a version number will follow the next rules:

graph LR Major-->Minor Minor-->Maintenance

• Major version (the first number: 2.x.x) described a major update of LotAtc, a major version is NOT compatible between them and configuration or users files (drawing, transponder, lua) format could be broken and NOT compatible also.
• Minor version (the second number x.0.x) describe the current version of the major: 2.1, 2.2…. On each minor version changes, compatibility could be broken for network communication and LotAtc Client and LotAtc Server (and Generator) must be at same minor version to work together.
• Maintenance number (the last number) x.x.0 indicates the current patched version. All maintenance versions are compatible, a 2.1.2 LotAtc Client can connect to a 2.1.4 LotAtc Server. A maintenance version can be updated independently on Server or Client side.

In LotAtc Installer, you will see that there is a fourth number in the release 2.0.0.301, it is only an internal number to manage packages correctly, it has no importance for users.

With this new way, server maintainers and squadrons can easily choose which version they want to run (2.0, 2.1 or 3.2) and users can follow updates and be sure to stay compatible with their favorite servers even with different LotAtc version.

On my side, I will be able to publish patches or new features faster for a product (Client/Server…).

The new installer will be based on these new rules:

• On package selection, you can choose which major.minor version you want (and several)
• Each major.minor version can be installed in parallel
  • You can have 2.0 and 2.1 installed and choose which you want to use
  • With dedicated LotAtc Server, you can install different versions on same computer (one with 2.1, another on 2.2)
  • Each one can be updated/installed/remove independently

You will be able to use LotAtc Client 2.0 for Public server A but 2.1 for server B…

Beta versions

As for stable version, beta can be installed in parallel of a stable version with same installer.

For example, you have installed the 2.0 stable, you want to try the 2.1 beta, just install it in parallel.

Directory structure modifications

To achieve that, some install directory will change for LotAtc, we consider in next lines that you have install LotAtc in C:\Program Files\LotAtc (called by {LI} in next lines, but you can install it where you want of course during install):

• Client will be installed in {LI}/client/major.minor/ (client/2.0 as example)
• Maps and charts are in {LI}/maps and {LI}/charts respectively. They are installed only once for all LotAtc Client instances
• Relief files will be moved to {LI}/reliefs like for maps, no more need to move it on %userprofile%/LotAtc Data folder. As for maps, they are shared between all LotAtc Clients AND LotAtc Server
• Licenses and settings stay like for 2.0.0 beta, no changes on that
• Server will be installed in Saved Games (after being selected from installer) as before

A desktop/start menu entry will contain all available LotAtc Client versions (2.0, 2.1…)

Choose your packages

OvGME version

The OvGME version will be updated also and will be a real OvGME package ready to be used.

It will not be available on direct download but can be chosen to be installed by LotAtc Installer. It will go in {LI}/ovgme/. LotAtc Installer needs to set some install path settings and some dependencies for LotAtc Server in OvGME also, that is why I will not no more provide direct download.

As for LotAtc Server, different versions can be installed in parallel.

Once downloaded, you will be able to get the .zip package and use it as you want on the computer.

How I update my LotAtc ?

2.0.0-rc1 IS NOT YET RELEASED, these instructions are just here to prepare it

You have not installed LotAtc before

Just grab the setup for download and follow instructions.

You have 1.2.3 or any 1.x

Uninstall previous versions, and just grab the setup for download and follow instructions.

You have 2.0.0-beta installed

They are two ways:

• Uninstall everything, then reinstall new version

or

• Launch LotAtc_updater.exe
  • Update everything (first installer, then all packages) (all will be managed by LotAtc installer)
  • Remove these packages: LotAtc Client and Server if installed
  • Add new packages for LotAtc Client 2.0 and LotAtc Server 2.0

Migrate from LotAtc 2.0.0 beta

Then?

Then, just wait for update notifications and launch the update directly from LotAtc to stay up to date, you will get notifications only for the packages installed and major.minor update.

When a new major or minor version is out, launch updater, add the new version and lets go!

2.0.0-RC1 is in finalization step and will be available very soon…

Thanks for all your feedbacks!