Fixing the ZappySys SSIS Error: “Component Metadata Could Not Be Upgraded”

SSIS PowerPack
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When working with ZappySys SSIS PowerPack, you might encounter the following error:

The component metadata for JSON Source (REST API or File), clsid {xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}’ could not be upgraded to the newer version of the component. The PerformUpgrade method failed.

It can certainly be a frustrating hurdle. This message typically points to a compatibility issue, most often caused by a version mismatch between the SSIS package and the installed ZappySys PowerPack components.

A straightforward and easy-to-understand explanation.

This error occurs because the SSIS package was created using a higher version of ZappySys SSIS PowerPack (e.g., v5.6.0), but you’re trying to open or run it on a machine with a lower version (e.g., v4.8.1). Downgrading components (especially Data Flow ones) is not supported, which causes the upgrade process to fail.

Generally, this issue occurs when developers install the latest version of ZappySys PowerPack during development, but the SSIS package is then deployed to a server that’s still using an older version. This version mismatch is a common cause of such errors.

To avoid this, it’s recommended to ensure that both the development and deployment environments are using the same version—ideally, the latest release.

Solution:

To resolve this issue, install the same version (used during development) or the latest version of ZappySys SSIS PowerPack on the machine where the error is occurring. Alternatively, installing the latest version on both machines can help avoid any version-related conflicts.

Helpful Links:

Detailed Explanation for the Error

The Root Cause: Version Mismatch

At its core, this error usually means that the SSIS package you are trying to open or execute was designed or last modified using a newer version of ZappySys SSIS PowerPack than what is currently installed on your development machine or the server running the package. SSIS components, especially third-party ones like those from ZappySys, are not typically backward compatible in this scenario. Trying to “downgrade” a component by opening a newer-version package with an older-version component will trigger this upgrade failure.

Key Scenarios Where This Occurs

  • Development vs. Production: You developed an SSIS package with a recently updated ZappySys PowerPack version, but the SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) runtime on your production server (where SQL Agent Jobs or SSIS Catalog execute packages) has an older ZappySys installation.
  • Team Collaboration: Different developers on a team might be using varying versions of the ZappySys PowerPack, leading to compatibility issues when sharing and modifying packages.
  • Upgrading SSIS Projects: When migrating an SSIS project to a newer SQL Server version (e.g., from SQL Server 2017 to 2019), the TargetServerVersion in your SSIS project properties might not align with the installed ZappySys components for the new environment.

The Solution: Standardized Upgrades

The most effective and recommended solution is to ensure that all environments involved in the SSIS package’s lifecycle—development machines, test servers, and production servers—have the same version, or a newer version, of the ZappySys SSIS PowerPack installed.

Here’s a step-by-step approach to resolve this error:

  1. Identify Current Versions: Determine the ZappySys SSIS PowerPack version used to create or last modify the problematic SSIS package.
  2. Download the Latest PowerPack: Visit the ZappySys website and download the latest available version of their SSIS PowerPack. This is generally the safest bet for forward compatibility.
  3. Clean Uninstallation:
    • Close all instances of Visual Studio (SSDT) and SQL Server on your development machine.
    • On any server where the package will be executed, stop all SQL Agent Jobs that utilize ZappySys components.
    • Go to “Control Panel” → “Programs and Features” (or “Add or Remove Programs”) and uninstall any existing ZappySys SSIS PowerPack installations.
  4. Fresh Installation: Install the newly downloaded ZappySys SSIS PowerPack. It’s often best to stick with the “Typical Default Setting” during installation unless you have specific reasons for a custom setup.
  5. Restart Services (if on Server): On servers, restart the stopped SQL Agent Jobs and related SSIS services to ensure the new components are loaded correctly.
  6. Verify Project Target Version (if applicable): If you’re working with a Visual Studio (SSDT) project, right-click the SSIS project in Solution Explorer, go to “Properties” → “Configuration Properties” → “General,” and verify the “TargetServerVersion.” Adjust it to match your SQL Server environment if it’s out of sync. Rebuild the project after making any changes.

By maintaining consistent and updated ZappySys SSIS PowerPack installations across your environments, you can effectively prevent and resolve the “PerformUpgrade method failed” error, ensuring smooth operation of your data integration workflows.

Conclusion

This error is caused by a PowerPack version mismatch — the SSIS package was built with a newer version, but you’re running it on a lower version. Since ZappySys Data Flow components can’t be downgraded, SSIS fails to load them.

To fix it, install the same or latest version of ZappySys SSIS PowerPack on the machine where the error occurs.