Since version 1.6 Joomla has an Update System that allows you to update installed extensions automatically. And since January 10th 2017 supporting this system is almost mandatory for each extension.

jBackend Release System is a jBackend module that provides all features to implement a full Joomla Update Server and/or a generic Package Distribution System based on Joomla. It works with both jBackend and jBackend Community.

It can be used to distribute free packages, and paid packages as well. For paid packages the download restrictions are based on license keys, that are automatically generated and securely distributed to licensed users, authorized thorugh Joomla user's groups. Technical documentation is available here. An article that describes how it works can be found here.

Features

• Configurable packages distribution folder;
• Free and access restricted package distribution;
• Multiple package groups (releases in the same group share the license key);
• Multiple user groups can be enabled for each package group;
• Multiple package releases for each package group;
• Secret hash for each package group (increase security for generated license keys);
• Really lite (less than 700 lines of code).

jBackend Release System is released under GPL 2.0 license.

jBackend basic extension has just one package to download and install. The package includes the component and three plugins (User Module, Content Module, and Push Module), and support the installation with "upgrade" mode, so there’s no need to uninstall any previous installed version.

To install jBackend, login to Joomla backend as administrator, and go to menu "Extension Manager". Click the browse button, select the package file (jBackendX.X_J3.zip) and click the installation button.

The package will be uploaded on the server and then installed. After installation finished a message will report a successful message.

That’s all. Now we are ready to start using jBackend.

Upgrade procedure

When upgrading from a previous version of jBackend, there is no need to first uninstall the old package. As mentioned earlier, jBackend supports the "upgrade" mode for the installation, so is enough to just install the new package over the old one. The component and the three plugins included in the basic package will be upgraded.

Note that during the upgrade also the database tables are upgraded when needed, but without to delete or loose any table data. It is in charge of the installation process to upgrade tables structure if needed. All the data (e.g. API Keys) will be preserved.

Tag Meta extension has just one package to download and install. The package includes a component and a system plugin, and supports the installation with "upgrade" mode, so there's no need to uninstall any previous version of Tag Meta.

To install Tag Meta, login to Joomla backend as administrator, and go to menu "Extensions manager". Click the browse button, select the package file (TagMetaX.XCommunity.zip or TagMetaX.XEnterprise.zip) and click the installation button.

That’s all. Now we are ready to start using Tag Meta.

Upgrade procedure

When upgrading from a previous version of Tag Meta, there is no need to first uninstall the old package. As mentioned earlier, Tag Meta supports the "upgrade" mode for the installation, so it is enough to just install the new package over the old one, both component and plugin will be upgraded.

Note that during the upgrade also the database tables are upgraded when needed, but without to delete or loose any table data. It is in charge of the installation process to upgrade tables structure as needed. All the rules will be preserved.

ReDJ extension has just one package to download and install. The package includes a component and a plugin, and supports the installation with "upgrade" mode, so there’s no need any more to uninstall any previous version of ReDJ.

To install ReDJ, login to Joomla backend as administrator, and go to menu "Extensions manager". Click the browse button, select the package file (ReDJX.XCommunity.zip or ReDJX.XEnterprise.zip) and click the installation button.

That’s all. Now we are ready to start using ReDJ.

Upgrade procedure

When upgrading from a previous version of ReDJ, there is no need to first uninstall the old package. As mentioned earlier, ReDJ supports the "upgrade" mode for the installation, so it is enough to just install the new package over the old one, both component and plugin will be upgraded.

Note that during the upgrade also the database tables are upgraded when needed, but without to delete or loose any table data. It is in charge of the installation process to upgrade tables structure as needed. All the rules will be preserved.