Resolution:
User can deploy an adapter: developed in a particular version, in the same and / or higher versions of the adapter; but not lower versions.
For e.g:
If in Designer menu --> Help --> Runtime Environment shows that the adb version is 5.4.0 and the archive(.ear) is built with this version, it can only be deployed with adb5.4.0 or higher versions of the adapter.

Notes:
1)  If only the environment has been upgraded i.e., a new adapter version installed and there is no change in the project configuration(no change in the archive(.ear)) then old archive(.aar) can be deployed right away with the new version.
2) If there are any changes in the project configuration(like changes in schema or some new parameters) for which the archive has to be rebuilt,  it is recommended to rebuild the archive and deploy the adapter, in the new version.

Environment:
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All