Upgrading from Another Server Version

If I am using firebird 1.0, is there a patch that I can apply to upgrade to firebird 1.5?

There is no patch. You have to uninstall 1.0 and then install 1.5 (or install 1.5 alongside 1.0 if you want them to run concurrently). Please read the section "Installation Notes" in the 1.5 Release Notes carefully!

Is there any impact on existing database files?

Firebird 1.5 will read v.1.0 .gdb databases without any problem. However, the recommended (and also the safest) way is always: - back up your databases under the old 1.0 configuration (i.e. your old server, client lib, gbak tool); then, after upgrading, restore with Firebird 1.5 running, and using the v.1.5 client lib and gbak tool.

What is the difference between the 1.5.1-nnnn-win32.exe kit and the 1.5.1-nnnn-win32.zip kit? or the "rpm" and "tar.gz" kits for Linux? which one should I download? what is a Debug Build? what is Embedded Server for Windows?

In general, you should choose the ".exe" kit for Windows and the "rpm" kit for Linux. These are the installers. If you get the zip (Win32) or the tar.gz (Linux) you'll have to perform some installation and activation steps manually. Again, see the Installation Notes, if you plan to attempt a manual installation.

The Debug builds are for those who want to debug the server itself - unlikely to be something you would need to do as a new user.

Embedded server is a client + server in one dll. This allows you to distribute an application with its own private Firebird, without any installation hassle for your customers (except the hassle of installing your app).

Any hints about running InterBase and Firebird concurrently on the same host machine?

The Firebird documenters are going to produce a manual about this. Meanwhile, you can find the necessary information - again - in the Release Notes. You need to configure your Firebird 1.5 server to listen to another TCP/IP port than the one that your InterBase or Firebird 1.0 server is listening to (by default, port 3050). Your client app should also be aware of this and connect to that other port. Consult the section "Configuring the port service on client and server" in the main v.1.5.0 release notes document - that's the larger PDF file that you will find in the /doc directory of Firebird's installed tree.

More Info

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