Database Systems in MailStore SPE

Archive stores created with version 23.4 or earlier use Firebird 3 or Firebird 2.5 as the database system. Firebird 4 was introduced with MailStore 24.2. New archive stores have been automatically created with Firebird 4 databases since then. Old archive stores must be updated manually.

Find all other update notices for MailStore SPE here.

About Databases in MailStore

MailStore SPE uses Firebird Embedded as a database system for the structure and metadata of archived emails. The configuration is stored in a database called the main database, while email metadata is stored in archive store databases.

If a new Firebird version is supported in MailStore, the main database will be automatically updated when the new version is started for the first time. This database can be updated in a reasonable amount of time without affecting operations.

Archive store databases are not automatically updated. Since this process can be long and may affect operations, the administrator must manually initiate the process.

To perform these database updates, MailStore must support both the old and new Firebird versions.

Firebird's C++ Dependencies

Firebird 4 has dependencies on Microsoft's C++ runtime library from 2015-2022. Firebird 3 has dependencies on Microsoft's C++ runtime library from 2013. Firebird 2.5 has dependencies on Microsoft's C++ runtime library from 2010.

All of these runtime libraries were automatically installed with MailStore SPE up to version 24.4.

Microsoft has discontinued support for the C++ runtime libraries for versions 2013 and 2010.

Changes in MailStore SPE 25.1

This version of MailStore and all newer versions can no longer load or update old databases.

When a sample host service is started and the samples' databases cannot be loaded, an appropriate error message is stored in the Windows Application event log.

If a client attempts to connect to a MailStore SPE instance that is trying to load an incompatible database, the client displays an error message indicating that the database format is not supported.

What Should You Do Now?

Depending on your initial situation, different steps are required to be independent of Firebird 3 and 2.5.

Updating from Version 24.x

If you are currently using MailStore SPE 24.2 to 24.4, you must update all samples' archive stores to Firebird 4 before upgrading to MailStore SPE 25.1 or newer. The dashboard in the Management Console and the archive stores page will inform you if this step is required.

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• Ensure that none of the archive stores are in the "Disabled" state. MailStore cannot determine if these archive stores need to be updated.
• Change the status of disabled archive stores to "Write Protected."
• Disconnected archive stores are not listed in the archive stores list. Therefore, add disconnected archive stores and set them to "Write Protected."
• If a hint appears indicating that an update is required, follow these steps:
  • Create a backup.
  • Update all archive stores.
  • Create another backup.
  • Download and install the current MailStore SPE version [1].
  • Read the update notices for your current version up to 24.2 and follow the instructions.

Updating from Version 23.x or Earlier

If you previously used MailStore SPE 23.4 or an earlier version, you must perform an intermediate update before updating to the latest version.

Direct updates to the latest version are not possible.

• Create a data backup.
• Download MailStore SPE 24.4 from here.
• Read the update notices for version 24.2 (!) and follow the instructions. You can ignore known issues in these versions because you are installing version 24.4, where these issues have already been resolved.
• Install MailStore SPE version 24.4.
• Ensure that none of the archive stores are in the "Disabled" state. MailStore cannot determine if these archive stores need to be updated.
• Right-click on disabled archive stores and change their status to "Write Protected."
• Disconnected archive stores are not listed in the archive stores list. Therefore, add disconnected archive stores and set them to "Write Protected."
• Update all archive stores.
• Create another data backup.
• Download the latest MailStore SPE version [2].
• Read the update notices for your current version up to 24.2 and follow the instructions.
• Install the latest version of MailStore SPE.

Updating Individual Instances and Archive Stores

If you have disconnected instances or archive stores that you no longer need permanent access to, or if the archive stores are disabled, they must also be updated to Firebird 4 in order to be loadable by current MailStore SPE versions.

If your MailStore SPE installation is already version 25.1 or newer, you cannot use this installation to update instances and archive databases. You need a second system where you can perform the intermediate update.

If you need to update individual instances on a second system, contact support.

Restoring a Backup

Backups containing Firebird 3 or Firebird 2.5 databases cannot be read by MailStore 25.1 and newer versions.

If you restore such a backup, you must load it once with MailStore SPE 24.4 and update all archive store databases. The backup will then be compatible with the current MailStore version.

If you need to restore a backup on a second system, contact support.

Source: https://help.mailstore.com/en/spe/Update_Notices_for_MailStore_SPE_to_version_25.1_or_newer