Clarifications regarding the ARTIQ release model and AFWS

sb10q

ARTIQ follows a rolling release model, with beta, stable, and legacy channels. Different releases are saved as different branches on the M-Labs ARTIQ Git repository, and our server provides pre-built packages, installers and AFWS for each channel.
The stable and legacy channels only receive bug fixes. New developments and features happen in the beta branch.
When a new version is released (i.e. becomes stable), the legacy channel is directed to what was the previous stable version. The older version is dropped from the legacy channel. This simply means that pre-built packages (MSYS2, conda, Nix) and AFWS are no longer available from our server, the Git history is never erased.
We strive to make each release more featureful, stable, correct, and faster than the previous. We recommend that you keep your systems up to date with the current release. The legacy channel is simply there as a convenience for people who are not yet ready to upgrade.
Incompatible changes are listed in the release notes for each major release, pay attention to them in order to update your experiments. In general, the required changes are minor.
With ARTIQ releases, the major version numbers of the firmware and the software need to match for the core device to communicate properly with the computer. The same requirement exists between DRTIO nodes. On the other hand, when we apply bug fixes to a release, the protocols remain compatible and e.g. you do not need to update the firmware when updating the software to a more recent version in the same (stable or legacy) channel.
Old versions of ARTIQ that you may have installed always continue working if you leave them untouched, even with an expired AFWS subscription, and even when their legacy channels are dropped.
If you are concerned about data integrity and resilience, use an advanced filesystem such as ZFS and have a backup plan in place. Keep a copy of your ARTIQ firmware binaries on your computers.
AFWS is simply a build and technical support service. You can always build any version yourself from the open source code. There is no difference between homemade builds and those obtained from our server. Devices continue working even when the corresponding AFWS subscription has expired or when there was not a subscription in the first place.
Building firmware is only necessary when updating (reflashing) Kasli/Kasli-SoC, and is not part of regular operation.
Recent versions of ARTIQ still support almost all early Sinara hardware. This includes systems based on the seven-year-old Kasli 1.0. The only exceptions are Metlino and Sayma which were dropped with ARTIQ-8, and Novogorny which will be dropped with ARTIQ-10 (NAC3). Very few people, if any, are using these cards and the vast majority of Sinara systems can continue to run the latest firmware and use the latest software, with no degradation in features or performance. ZC706 and KC705 support is planned to last until at least September 30, 2025.
Old versions of ARTIQ may not support Sinara hardware that was released after them.

sb10q

KC705 and ZC706 support extended to September 30, 2026.

bass_j

Hi, reading this post I am unsure if I should get started with ARTIQ 9 beta or ARTIQ 8. Do you consider the new releases of ARTIQ 9 beta to be stable?
The new features of ARTIQ 9 are useful for my research, is it better to use ARTIQ 9 now or start with 8 and upgrade to 9 upon release?

sb10q

Use 9 if you need the new features. We could use more beta testers.