Yes, very confusingI'm surprised, i was expecting v6.31.1 in bugfix channel.
Not at all. They promised to keep stable (bug fix only) branch until current gets stable. So far, so good.Yes, very confusingI'm surprised, i was expecting v6.31.1 in bugfix channel.
Now i am confused, why the crs port flapping bugfixes are in current and not in bugfix?
So you - developers - even do not know whether your bugfix (CRS port flapping) is working without breaking anything else??? Do I understand it correctly? So is this bug fixed or not?This version includes only approved fixes which are already tested and actually work without breaking anything else.
This is a common case in any kind of software development. Any new code (be it a bug fix, or a new feature) has a great potential to break existing code. MT is not (and can not be) an exception in this regard.So you - developers - even do not know whether your bugfix (CRS port flapping) is working without breaking anything else???
Then the problem is the terminology used.Not at all. They promised to keep stable (bug fix only) branch until current gets stable. So far, so good.Yes, very confusingI'm surprised, i was expecting v6.31.1 in bugfix channel.
I don't think "current" should always be considered stable. It is actually quite common to name non-stable releases "current". Take FreeBSD release naming rules, for example. CURRENT there means "bleeding edge".Then the problem is the terminology used.
When you go to download a software, the 'current' release is considered the latest stable
This is clearly not the case here. The 'current' release is the 'bleeding edge' release not the 'stable' release.
You can release fixes for it, but it does not mean they are automatically added to the Bugfix streamHow can v6.31 become stable enough, if we can't release fixes for it?
Should we replace 6.31 with improved 6.31.x as current, and then eventually move last 6.31.x to bugfix, or continue with 6.32, 6.33, and then, based on time or performance start new bugfix only version
Combine it with download Archive (that everyone is requesting for years), and you have nice look and functionality on web pageDisplay up to date stream paths on the interfaces and website.
+1if you wish v6.30.4 to be maintained for a while, how should we release important fixes for 6.31 ?
Hi Normis and all,The important question is, should we replace 6.30.4 with 6.31.1 when we have important issues in v6.31, or ... if you wish v6.30.4 to be maintained for a while, how should we release important fixes for 6.31 ?
My 2 cent:How can v6.31 become stable enough, if we can't release fixes for it?
Should we replace 6.31 with improved 6.31.x as current, and then eventually move last 6.31.x to bugfix, or continue with 6.32, 6.33, and then, based on time or performance start new bugfix only version
No. I would like a longer lasting Bugfix release without new features. Our network is no playground. Stability is number one feature.Normis/Mikrotik
For what it's worth I would say that unless there are any low hanging fruit/easy fixes that can be incorporated into 6.30 then I believe that the .4 should be the last iteration.
With the way Mikrotik develops and at the speed they develop, the best thing I would say is to develop and release bug fixes up to a certain point. However one thing to do would be to stretch out the development cycles a little bit for new features.
Changes that are 6.x should take longer (3 to maybe 6 months) whereas 6.xx.y should take shorter (few weeks to a month).
That gives Mikrotik more time to develop new features and make sure the code is more solid, and it gives the bug fix team time to fix the bugs in the current code. This also allows for regression testing to be easier as well, and also allows for proactive/retroactive addition to patches to be implemented that way bugs in older code aren't reopened in newer code.
Now i am confused, why the crs port flapping bugfixes are in current and not in bugfix?
+1000No. I would like a longer lasting Bugfix release without new features. Our network is no playground. Stability is number one feature.
An additional option is to do feature upgrades with packages as it is done with wireless package. So if you need top end wireless features you can select the newer package and take the risk.I think, the mentioned LTS approach like Ubuntu, or better Asterisk (they had the same Problem as Mikrotik before), is the best one.
7.0.1 -- FEATURE branch, first update. A new Wifi package was added, that's nice.
7.1.1 -- BUGP release, a bug was found in 7.1.0 and corrected. Notice, this version does not (never will) have the new Wifi package.
7.1.2 -- BUGP release, a small bug was fixed. This version is becoming very stable.
7.2.0 -- FEATURE release, a new one too. MikroTik wanted to release a version with the Wifi package that was based on 7.1.2. They also added a new DNS package.
7.3.1 -- BUG release (not P branch), that new DNS package turned out to be buggy. Oops. They fixed it.
7.1.3 -- BUGP release, this version is rock stable! Only a tiny bug fixed, nothing new added.
Notice that there is a permanent BUGP release, and Mikrotik can choose (at their discretion) to have multiple BUG versions for each of their FEATURE releases based on how much time and resources they have. The benefit is that for those of us whose reputations are on the line, we have a BUGP release we can count on.The FEATURE branch is now at 7.6.2 and has many features. The BUGP branch is at 7.1.15 and is so stable some people say that MikroTik means "stability" in Esperanto. MikroTik killed off the 7.4 branch after they fixed it with 7.5 which eventually turned into 7.6. Notice how the Version 7.1 still lives on and only changes when necessary.
It's a standard default config, why you say "very strange"?...if you do a reset configuration with 6.32rc6, the configuration goes to a very strange config with no firewall or routing and the IP address of 192.168.88.1 configure only on eth1.
I say "very strange" because in all other releases setting to default configuration on this router sets the router up as a SOHO router with a firewall, WAN port on eth1 (with DHCP client), and LAN ports with DHCP server on eth2-5.It's a standard default config, why you say "very strange"?...if you do a reset configuration with 6.32rc6, the configuration goes to a very strange config with no firewall or routing and the IP address of 192.168.88.1 configure only on eth1.
Since all packages needs to have same version number that sounds impossible to me. Or you get bugfix versions on packages as well, makes it even more complicated imho. Good idea but after some thinking maybe better not.....An additional option is to do feature upgrades with packages as it is done with wireless package. So if you need top end wireless features you can select the newer package and take the risk.I think, the mentioned LTS approach like Ubuntu, or better Asterisk (they had the same Problem as Mikrotik before), is the best one.
We've 6.30 running everywhere now without a problem. This is our current stable.Since all packages needs to have same version number that sounds impossible to me. Or you get bugfix versions on packages as well, makes it even more complicated imho. Good idea but after some thinking maybe better not.....An additional option is to do feature upgrades with packages as it is done with wireless package. So if you need top end wireless features you can select the newer package and take the risk.I think, the mentioned LTS approach like Ubuntu, or better Asterisk (they had the same Problem as Mikrotik before), is the best one.
1st priority for administrator is stability
2nd priority is to have best network with latest features.
After reading previous posts and falling in some 'traps' my self I produced following structure. Its basically mentioned by some already and imho it combines most suggestions in one working scheme.
For stability highest version will be one with bugfixes without any new features compared to 6.xx ("0" version).
Only after some time (2 months sounds reasonable) that version that after its last bugfix shows no more new mayor bugs can bear the title "current" because its been declared 'stable'
New version that adds new features are 'rc' versions until it has proven to have no new bugs. (Same procedure as with stable version.
So:
3.30 is always "rc" (3.29 or older is "stable"); Users are picking it up because it brings new features shown in log, hence we call it 3.30rc (ALWAYS!); ==>> bugs come up ==>> bug fix is made ==>> 3.30bf1 ==>> 3.30bf2 etc. until for 2 months no more new bugs surface ==>>3.30bf5 is declared "current" (maybe some selected users can vote?) and will bear name 3.30S+ (=Stable+support)
[a "bf" version is therefore always a 'bugfix' for a "rc" version. Only after 60 days without buf fixes a rc version evolved through its "bf" versions into a "S" version, stable. Only than it can become "current" version on the server for regular downloads]
At the same time other development can be made, but have to be put in new version 3.31 that will be called 3.31rc
Same process as 3.30 will be followed and one day it can be called "current" and bear name 3.31S+
Only when 3.31S+ is there it can take over the title "Current" from 3.30. Because only now everybody should be able to install it without problems.
If you are still waiting for new features, probably 3.31rc and 3.32rc are out but it didn't survive 60 days without bugfixes yet....
Scheme:
3.30rc ==> 3.30bf1 ==> 3.30bf2 ==> 3.30bf3 ==>3.30bf4==60 days=>3.30S ==> "Current" ==> "S+"
3.31rc ==>3.31bf1==>3.31bf2 ==> 3.31bf3 ==>3.31bf4==60 days=>3.31S ==> "Current" ==> "S+"
3.32rc ==>3.32bf1==>3.32bf2 ==> 3.32bf3 ==>3.32bf4==60 days=>3.32S ==> "Current"
etc.
Indeed we now might have several 'lines' of initial "rc" versions with their "bf" versions. Each line only becomes "S+" after 60 days without new bugs and only the latest line (highest number) with "S+" can be made "Current"
Now its also important the website states for each "rc" clearly what new features are compared to previous version.
Make a graph that clearly shows what features are in what version. A simple spreadsheet might do with older versions slowly fading away in time when more and more new versions are introduced.
(This would also make it more easy to troubleshoot some issues by the user if he enters in a problem after some versions were introduced in his routers. Or some don't like new features and want to stick to latest version without some specific feature.)
Than for each bugfix version a changelog should be maintained.
Off course the website should have some basic explanation saying:
1. "Current" version is latest 60 day stable version after some bug fixes. No more new important bugs found..
2. "S+" is a versions proven to be stable and MT renders support but lesser features compared to "Current"
3. "RC" versions are versions that have new features compared to "Current" but is not grant the "Current" status since its younger than 60 days and bugs might still submerge.
4. Older versions fading away in time will loose the "+" when MT is not giving support any longer. Probably only the latest family version might carry the "S+" sign for years untill its really outdated.. (any body still using 3.xx??)
Auto update from the router (winbox, telnet, script etc.) should never, NEVER be a more recent version than the "Current". Only this version is a version that is around for at least 60 days after the last important bug fix for that line. So only this version is safe to use for ALL! No more mistakes will be made now......
What about 'small' non destructive bugs that might come up in the 60 days period?
These bugs are to be weighted by MT to declare them of lesser importance and should be fixed in a new rc version (with higher number.) The moment they decide to fixed into a new bugfix version of that specific line the 60 days counter should start counting again for that line.....
They will have to make that decision and there will always be discussion on it by the ones affected.
I hope in the end we will see a proper system established. On the moment its chaos. I run now 3.27's, 3.30's, 3.31's, 3.30.2's and 3.30.4's on my network and am still surprised at times that some boards go down after running fine for weeks without an issue..... and I need some new functions at time.....
Just replaced the 3.30.2 on the 2nd NetMetal that ran for 2 weeks without any hickup to 3.30.4 because it suddenly stopped passing traffic over a bridge port..... I thought 3.30.2 was pretty stable...
It's all relative. 6 months of supporting a stable release is much longer than the current "install and hope" scenario.That is hardly LTS. LTS is supposed to last years.
I don't think it makes much sense for RouterOS.
The fact bug fixes are already at 6.30.4 means it is not a stable version. Maybe for you but not for lots of others.We've 6.30 running everywhere now without a problem. This is our current stable.
Yes, but a minor version that is maintained for 6 months is not really the same concept as an LTS.It's all relative. 6 months of supporting a stable release is much longer than the current "install and hope" scenario.That is hardly LTS. LTS is supposed to last years.
I don't think it makes much sense for RouterOS.
The newer the version, the more risk. If you don't want/need to run bleeding edge (I still run 6.7 on many devices), you currently have to take an educated guess (usually by spending hours on this form to find feedback) as to which release is the most stable using certain features in certain scenarios.
It would be much simpler to have some LTS versions with a known list of features/bugs and make the choice of which release to use based on the features you require. As for the syntax of RouterOS version numbers and release schedule of the invariably buggy "latest stable versions", I don't really give a monkeys.
Oh..6.30.4 - still working
chain=forward action=mark-connection new-connection-mark=heavy_down_e2
passthrough=yes protocol=tcp in-interface=WAN out-interface=ether2
connection-bytes=524288-0 connection-rate=524288-4294967295 log=no
log-prefix=""
chain=forward action=mark-packet new-packet-mark=heavy_down_e2
passthrough=no in-interface=WAN out-interface=ether2
connection-mark=heavy_down_e2 log=no log-prefix=""
Ctrl+M is the shortcut for comments...Found a minor bug in 6.30.4, easy to duplicate.
Winbox 3rc12
RB1100AHx2
Control B does not work to bring up comments. Works fine on RB2011iL
Cheers
http://www.mikrotik.com/downloadHow does one install this version? I need the npk file, or? Where do I get it?
Thank you, newer seen that box before.http://www.mikrotik.com/downloadHow does one install this version? I need the npk file, or? Where do I get it?
And select the version
No, I'm well aware of dynamic entries. I first noticed it while updating filter rules, then tried it on all kinds of entries. None worked on any of our 1100AHx2s. But like I mentioned, there was no problem with the 2011iL-wRMs.You probably tried to CTRL-M a dynamic item. Works OK on static items on my 1100AHx2 (and this is how it should be....).
Also +1000+1000No. I would like a longer lasting Bugfix release without new features. Our network is no playground. Stability is number one feature.
I'm not sure, isn't that what we currently have with v6.30.4? Or you are asking for something else?Also +1000+1000No. I would like a longer lasting Bugfix release without new features. Our network is no playground. Stability is number one feature.
I had the same problem two days ago. After installation 6.32.1 everything is ok.I have installed 6.30.4 on a RB750. I did a factory reset. Port flapping occurs on all the LAN ports when connected. I downgraded to 6.29.1. No port flapping occurs. (Port flapping also occurs on 6.31, that is noted in the release notes for 6.32rc6, but it implies that the problem was introduced in 6.31. The problem seems to have been introduced in 6.30 and is still present in 6.30.4.) By the way, the port flapping is fixed in 6.32RC6, but if you do a reset configuration with 6.32rc6, the configuration goes to a very strange config with no firewall or routing and the IP address of 192.168.88.1 configure only on eth1.
It means that a "stable" version should be the preferred option on the website and upgrade servers by default.No. I would like a longer lasting Bugfix release without new features. Our network is no playground. Stability is number one feature.
No not asking for anything else, I like many other WISP's grade stability as number one and new features second
I'm not sure, isn't that what we currently have with v6.30.4? Or you are asking for something else?
We can't do that, because old versions know nothing of the chain system. They check the "current" and we can't change this without an upgrade.please make the latest stable bugfix release default option for download/upgrade instead of the current one,
While I agree with the development format but must voice concerns about RC, especially as they contain A+B and are notPlease post any remaining issues you find in this 6.30.4 release! This is important, to make this version truly stable.
Yes, naming the versions is not easy.
At the moment we are still debating how this should work in the long term.
Right now:
bugfix = stable, only bug fixes are included, no risky new features (A)
current = latest version with new features and bug fixes also (A + B)
release candidate = nightly build, not much testing, release as soon as usable, includes A + B + C changes that are not thoroughly tested yet
development = alpha/beta of v7 when we release it (not yet available)
The important question is, should we replace 6.30.4 with 6.31.1 when we have important issues in v6.31, or ... if you wish v6.30.4 to be maintained for a while, how should we release important fixes for 6.31 ?
Well, we have seen that actually "Current" does need same warning. How many of us gone wrong here, now and in the past?While I agree with the development format but must voice concerns about RC, especially as they contain A+B and are notPlease post any remaining issues you find in this 6.30.4 release! This is important, to make this version truly stable.
Yes, naming the versions is not easy.
At the moment we are still debating how this should work in the long term.
Right now:
bugfix = stable, only bug fixes are included, no risky new features (A)
current = latest version with new features and bug fixes also (A + B)
release candidate = nightly build, not much testing, release as soon as usable, includes A + B + C changes that are not thoroughly tested yet
development = alpha/beta of v7 when we release it (not yet available)
The important question is, should we replace 6.30.4 with 6.31.1 when we have important issues in v6.31, or ... if you wish v6.30.4 to be maintained for a while, how should we release important fixes for 6.31 ?
thoroughly tested, should RC contain during installation a warning prompt that they are RC and be warned? "Do you want to install Yes/No"
Bugfix and Current don't need this warning prompt as I assume more thorough testing is done?
You can use two coincident aliases ("current" for old ros and "stable" for newer ros) pointing to actual bugfix releases.We can't do that, because old versions know nothing of the chain system. They check the "current" and we can't change this without an upgrade.please make the latest stable bugfix release default option for download/upgrade instead of the current one,
I think I agree with many of the ideas expressed here (mainly: we need releases without bugs, maintened for a long time, even it is means that they lack new features).Only this way profesional users can build automated process to upgrade the system. Because only this way a "current" version is 99% guaranteed stable.
I agree. I don't have such automate process in use anyway. I only mirror what I saw happening with others on this forum. As you can see I am a long term member and I learned already long time ago that installing the "current" version on your production environment is asking for problems.[But, one thing : you CANNOT blame Mikrotik if your automated update process failed because of new release coming-out at the wrong moment !
What I mean is : if you build automated process to upgrade many devices, you SHOULDN'T use the "simple" auto upgrade command that will one day install a version that you do not want.
First, you SHOULD test (intensively) one release, and once you have validated it on your test device*s*, you update your production devices farm.
And more importantly, in your script, you SHOULD do the upgrade by uploading manually the version that you have (tested+validated+) selected to the device. Basically :
=> scp routeros-mipsbe-6.30.4.npk admin@yourDevice:/
=> /system reboot
Not everybody will use the "bugfix" release only. Only 'no tech knowledge' users and professional network admins will use these initially and for their production environment.Of course Mikrotik should not publish buggy releases. Nobody will say "Mikrotik should put more bugs in RouterOS".
But there is also reality of software development, and even with great care, bugs can and will happen and nobody can avoid them at 100%.
So, the question is how to conciliate 2 things : having as-less-buggy-as-possible software (which requires testing before) and releasing new version with new features (which will certainly introduce new bugs).
Because, imagine if everybody use the "bugfix" releases, nobody would use the new releases and nobody will spot the (inevitable) bugs in those, and the new releases will never get bugfix. So, at the end, we stay **forever** with a bug-free release but with nothing new for decades
I consider myself pretty professional, my existence depends on the money I make with my network, but still. Let me explain what happend to me once or twice;NB: you are comparing 2 really different things :
- some professional network administrators that apply MANUALLY (or with script) updates to devices
- and users (with no tech knowledge) that are subject to AUTOMATIC updates of their windows
One can solve that dilemma by extensive in-house testing before releasing new code at the first place.Because, imagine if everybody use the "bugfix" releases, nobody would use the new releases and nobody will spot the (inevitable) bugs in those, and the new releases will never get bugfix. So, at the end, we stay **forever** with a bug-free release but with nothing new for decades
Today we have a Mikrotik RouterOS device asking Mikrotik software central "Hey dear Mikrotik server, I'm RouterOS device with software version x.yy, which is the best software for me to download and install?" and you want to tell me you can't change server's default answer to that question?We can't do that, because old versions know nothing of the chain system. They check the "current" and we can't change this without an upgrade.
Normis,Please post any remaining issues you find in this 6.30.4 release! This is important, to make this version truly stable.
Yes, naming the versions is not easy.
At the moment we are still debating how this should work in the long term.
Right now:
bugfix = stable, only bug fixes are included, no risky new features (A)
current = latest version with new features and bug fixes also (A + B)
release candidate = nightly build, not much testing, release as soon as usable, includes A + B + C changes that are not thoroughly tested yet
development = alpha/beta of v7 when we release it (not yet available)
The important question is, should we replace 6.30.4 with 6.31.1 when we have important issues in v6.31, or ... if you wish v6.30.4 to be maintained for a while, how should we release important fixes for 6.31 ?
And this is great! It should not be possible to automatically upgrade to the unstable version. If you want upgrade to unstable version - do it manualy.No it does not work that way. Like I said, it is the same file for the v6.32 and for v6.29. If we change the answer to "v6.30.4" then also v6.32 will not receive updates to v6.33
Well, as long as MT regularly put unstable versions as "current" than don't complain next time you'll find yourself automatically installed disaster on your network......No, if you are on the unstable stream, it should be possible to just click to get the next one.
I don't want to manually upgrade anymore.
I am unable to repeat this behavior on any of my routers here. I can leave this page open, but Free Memory stays solid and does not change. Please tell me the number of your support ticket, so I can check the status.There seems to be a serious memory leak in this release that's triggered by viewing ip/firewall/connections in webfig. Once you bring up that page, available memory starts dropping and doesn't stop until you stop the www service. Exiting the browser alone doesn't help. It took my RB912 with 64mb memory only 3 minutes to go from 32mb avail to 2mb avail and a watchdog reboot. This is with about 500-700 connections in the table.
Support ticket created with supout.rif
Do you have any issues that we need to fix?Is 6.30.5 on the roadmap?
The ticket was 2015091366000031 and I got a response that the fix was in 6.32.1 and that does appear to be the case.I am unable to repeat this behavior on any of my routers here. I can leave this page open, but Free Memory stays solid and does not change. Please tell me the number of your support ticket, so I can check the status.There seems to be a serious memory leak in this release that's triggered by viewing ip/firewall/connections in webfig. Once you bring up that page, available memory starts dropping and doesn't stop until you stop the www service. Exiting the browser alone doesn't help. It took my RB912 with 64mb memory only 3 minutes to go from 32mb avail to 2mb avail and a watchdog reboot. This is with about 500-700 connections in the table.
Support ticket created with supout.rif