How do I obtain support & software updates? is a configuration topic that comes up frequently when deploying APG vNext on Windows Server and IIS.
Quick Checklist
- IIS Application Pool: Must be set to .NET 4.0, Integrated Pipeline mode — Classic mode is not supported.
- Connection String: Verify the SQL Server name, database name, and credentials in
web.config. - File Permissions: The app pool identity needs read/write access to the
upfilesfolder for user uploads. - URL Rewriting: Install the IIS URL Rewrite 2.0 module for clean SEO-friendly URLs.
- Full-Text Search: Enable SQL Server Full-Text Indexing on the APG database for forum search to work correctly.
- SMTP / Email: Configure your SMTP server in Admin Panel → Settings → Email for notifications to work.
Step-by-Step Guide
The complete installation walkthrough is available in the Installation Guide. For server-specific configuration questions, post in the support forum with your IIS and .NET versions.
What Is Included in Your APG vNext Support Package
Every APG vNext licence includes one year of support and software updates from the date of purchase. During this period you have access to the private customer-only support forum at APG vNext Support, where the development team responds directly to technical questions. You can also download all software updates released during your subscription period from the customer portal. Updates are cumulative — each release includes all fixes from previous releases, so you only need to apply the latest available build rather than sequentially applying every intermediate update.
Accessing the Private Support Forum
The private support forum is accessible only to customers with an active licence. To gain access, log in to the customer portal at aspplayground.net with the email address used for your purchase, navigate to Account → My Licences, and click the Activate Support Forum Access button. This grants your forum account moderator-level access to the private support categories. When posting a support request, include your APG vNext version number (visible in Admin Panel → System → About), your IIS version, your .NET Framework version, and a clear description of the problem along with any relevant error messages from the APG error log or Windows Event Viewer.
Downloading Software Updates
New APG vNext releases are announced in the public community blog and simultaneously made available for download in the customer portal. To download an update, log in to the customer portal, navigate to Account → Downloads, and select the latest release for your licence tier. Each download package includes the application files, the SQL migration script for any database schema changes, and a release notes document describing all changes. Always read the release notes before applying an update — breaking changes, new dependencies, and configuration changes are clearly documented in the release notes to allow you to plan the upgrade without unexpected surprises.
Keeping APG vNext Up to Date
APG vNext releases follow a regular cadence: minor updates (bug fixes and small improvements) are released monthly, while major feature releases are made once or twice per year. Subscribe to the release announcement thread in the public community to be notified by email whenever a new version is available. Running an outdated version exposes the forum to known security vulnerabilities that are fixed in newer releases. The APG vNext admin panel displays a notification badge when a newer version is available than the currently installed version, making it easy to know when an update is ready without manually checking the download page.
Applying Updates Without Downtime
APG vNext updates can be applied with minimal downtime using IIS application offline mode. Place a file named app_offline.htm in the forum root directory — IIS automatically serves this file to all visitors instead of the forum application, showing a maintenance message. Deploy the new application files, run the SQL migration script if included in the update, then delete app_offline.htm to bring the forum back online. The entire process typically takes 2 to 5 minutes. For zero-downtime updates on high-availability deployments, use a blue-green deployment approach as described in the Knowledge Base.
Support Beyond the First Year
After the initial one-year support period expires, the forum continues to operate normally — the licence does not deactivate. To renew support and continue receiving updates, purchase a maintenance subscription renewal from the customer portal before the expiry date. Renewing before expiry maintains continuous access; renewing after a lapse resumes access but does not cover the gap period. Contact APG sales for multi-year subscription packages that provide a discounted rate compared to annual renewals and simplify budget planning by fixing the cost for multiple years in advance.
Community Forum as a Self-Service Resource
Beyond direct support requests, the public APG vNext community forum is a valuable self-service resource. Before submitting a support ticket, search the community forum and Knowledge Base for your specific error message or configuration question — many common issues have detailed solutions already documented from previous support interactions. The Knowledge Base is curated by the APG development team and contains step-by-step guides for the most frequently encountered configuration challenges, upgrade procedures, and integration patterns. Using the self-service resources first typically resolves issues faster than waiting for a support response, especially for well-documented topics.
Related Resources
Looking for more help? Browse the support forum or check the Knowledge Base.