Update release note and version number

README.md

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ The tool manages automated machine learning (AutoML) experiments, **dispatches a
 
 ## **What's NEW!** &nbsp;<a href="#nni-released-reminder"><img width="48" src="docs/img/release_icon.png"></a>
 
-* **New release**: [v2.5 is available](https://github.com/microsoft/nni/releases/tag/v2.5) - _released on Nov-04-2021_
+* **New release**: [v2.6 is available](https://github.com/microsoft/nni/releases/tag/v2.6) - _released on Jan-19-2022_
 * **New demo available**: [Youtube entry](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKcafm6861B2mnYhPbZHavw) | [Bilibili 入口](https://space.bilibili.com/1649051673) - _last updated on May-26-2021_
 * **New webinar**: [Introducing Retiarii: A deep learning exploratory-training framework on NNI](https://note.microsoft.com/MSR-Webinar-Retiarii-Registration-Live.html) - _scheduled on June-24-2021_
 * **New community channel**: [Discussions](https://github.com/microsoft/nni/discussions)
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ Note:
 * Download the examples via clone the source code.
 
   ```bash
-  git clone -b v2.5 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+  git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
   ```
 
 * Run the MNIST example.

README_zh_CN.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ NNI 管理自动机器学习 (AutoML) 的 Experiment，**调度运行**由调优
 
 ## **最新消息！** &nbsp;[<img width="48" src="docs/img/release_icon.png" />](#nni-released-reminder)
 
-* **最新版本**：[v2.5 已发布](https://github.com/microsoft/nni/releases/tag/v2.5) - *2021年11月04日*
+* **最新版本**：[v2.6 已发布](https://github.com/microsoft/nni/releases/tag/v2.6) - *2022年1月19日*
 * **最新视频 demo**：[Youtube 入口](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKcafm6861B2mnYhPbZHavw) | [Bilibili 入口](https://space.bilibili.com/1649051673) - *上次更新：2021年5月26日*
 * **最新网络研讨会**: [介绍Retiarii：NNI 上的深度学习探索性训练框架](https://note.microsoft.com/MSR-Webinar-Retiarii-Registration-Live.html) - *2021年6月24日*
 * **最新互动渠道**: [Discussions](https://github.com/microsoft/nni/discussions)
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ Linux 和 macOS 下 NNI 系统需求[参考这里](https://nni.readthedocs.io/zh
 * 通过克隆源代码下载示例。
 
     ```bash
-    git clone -b v2.5 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+    git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
     ```
 
 * 运行 MNIST 示例。

docs/en_US/Release.rst

@@ -5,6 +5,89 @@
 Change Log
 ==========
 
+Release 2.6 - 1/19/2022
+-----------------------
+
+**NOTE**: NNI v2.6 is the last version that supports Python 3.6. From next release NNI will require Python 3.7+.
+
+Hyper-Parameter Optimization
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Experiment
+""""""""""
+
+* The legacy experiment config format is now deprecated. `(doc of new config) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/reference/experiment_config.html>`__
+
+  * If you are still using legacy format, nnictl will show equivalent new config on start. Please save it to replace the old one.
+
+* nnictl now uses ``nni.experiment.Experiment`` `APIs <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/stable/Tutorial/HowToLaunchFromPython.html>`__ as backend. The output message of create, resume, and view commands have changed.
+* Added Kubeflow and Frameworkcontroller support to hybrid mode.  `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/TrainingService/HybridMode.html>`__
+* The hidden tuner manifest file has been updated. This should be transparent to users, but if you encounter issues like failed to find tuner, please try to remove ``~/.config/nni``.
+
+Algorithms
+""""""""""
+
+* Random tuner now supports classArgs ``seed``. `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Tuner/RandomTuner.html>`__
+* TPE tuner is refactored: `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Tuner/TpeTuner.html>`__
+
+  * Support classArgs ``seed``.
+  * Support classArgs ``tpe_args`` for expert users to customize algorithm behavior.
+  * Parallel optimization has been turned on by default. To turn it off set ``tpe_args.constant_liar_type`` to ``null`` (or ``None`` in Python).
+  * ``parallel_optimize`` and ``constant_liar_type`` has been removed. If you are using them please update your config to use ``tpe_args.constant_liar_type`` instead.
+
+* Grid search tuner now supports all search space types, including uniform, normal, and nested choice. `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Tuner/GridsearchTuner.html>`__
+
+Neural Architecture Search
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+* Enhancement to serialization utilities `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/NAS/Serialization.html>`__ and changes to recommended practice of customizing evaluators. `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/NAS/QuickStart.html#pick-or-customize-a-model-evaluator>`__
+* Support latency constraint on edge device for ProxylessNAS based on nn-Meter. `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/NAS/Proxylessnas.html>`__
+* Trial parameters are showed more friendly in Retiarii experiments.
+* Refactor NAS examples of ProxylessNAS and SPOS.
+
+Model Compression
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+* New Pruner Supported in Pruning V2
+
+  * Auto-Compress Pruner `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Compression/v2_pruning_algo.html#auto-compress-pruner>`__
+  * AMC Pruner `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Compression/v2_pruning_algo.html#amc-pruner>`__
+  * Movement Pruning Pruner `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Compression/v2_pruning_algo.html#movement-pruner>`__
+
+* Support ``nni.trace`` wrapped ``Optimizer`` in Pruning V2. In the case of not affecting the user experience as much as possible, trace the input parameters of the optimizer. `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Compression/v2_pruning_algo.html>`__
+* Optimize Taylor Pruner, APoZ Activation Pruner, Mean Activation Pruner in V2 memory usage.
+* Add more examples for Pruning V2.
+* Add document for pruning config list.  `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Compression/v2_pruning_config_list.html>`__
+* Parameter ``masks_file`` of ``ModelSpeedup`` now accepts `pathlib.Path` object. (Thanks to @dosemeion) `(doc) <https://nni.readthedocs.io/en/v2.6/Compression/ModelSpeedup.html#user-configuration-for-modelspeedup>`__
+* Bug Fix
+
+  * Fix Slim Pruner in V2 not sparsify the BN weight.
+  * Fix Simulator Annealing Task Generator generates config ignoring 0 sparsity.
+
+Documentation
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+* Supported GitHub feature "Cite this repository".
+* Updated index page of readthedocs.
+* Updated Chinese documentation.
+
+  * From now on NNI only maintains translation for most import docs and ensures they are up to date.
+
+* Reorganized HPO tuners' doc.
+
+Bugfixes
+^^^^^^^^
+
+* Fixed a bug where numpy array is used as a truth value. (Thanks to @khituras)
+* Fixed a bug in updating search space.
+* Fixed a bug that HPO search space file does not support scientific notation and tab indent.
+
+  * For now NNI does not support mixing scientific notation and YAML features. We are waiting for PyYAML to update.
+
+* Fixed a bug that causes DARTS 2nd order to crash.
+* Fixed a bug that causes deep copy of mutation primitives (e.g., LayerChoice) to crash.
+* Removed blank at bottom in Web UI overview page.
+
 Release 2.5 - 11/2/2021
 -----------------------
 

docs/en_US/Tutorial/InstallationLinux.rst

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Install NNI through source code
 
 .. code-block:: bash
 
-     git clone -b v2.5 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+     git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
      cd nni
      python3 -m pip install -U -r dependencies/setup.txt
      python3 -m pip install -r dependencies/develop.txt
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ If you want to perform a persist install instead, we recommend to build your own
 
 .. code-block:: bash
 
-    git clone -b v2.5 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+    git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
     cd nni
     export NNI_RELEASE=2.0
     python3 -m pip install -U -r dependencies/setup.txt
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ Verify installation
 
   .. code-block:: bash
 
-     git clone -b v2.5 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+     git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
 
 * 
   Run the MNIST example.

docs/en_US/Tutorial/InstallationWin.rst

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ If you want to contribute to NNI, refer to `setup development environment <Setup
 
   .. code-block:: bat
 
-       git clone -b v2.5 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+       git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
        cd nni
        python -m pip install -U -r dependencies/setup.txt
        python -m pip install -r dependencies/develop.txt
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Verify installation
 
   .. code-block:: bat
 
-       git clone -b v2.5 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+       git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
 
 * 
   Run the MNIST example.

docs/en_US/_templates/index.html

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ <h2>What's NEW! </h2>
   </div>
   <hr class="whatNew"/>
   <ul>
-    <li><b>New release:</b> <a href='https://github.com/microsoft/nni/releases/tag/v2.5'>{{ release }} is available2  <i>- released on Nov-04-2021</i></a></li>
+    <li><b>New release:</b> <a href='https://github.com/microsoft/nni/releases/tag/v2.6'>{{ release }} is available2  <i>- released on Jan-18-2022</i></a></li>
     <li><b>New demo available:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKcafm6861B2mnYhPbZHavw">Youtube entry</a> | <a href="https://space.bilibili.com/1649051673">Bilibili</a> 入口 <i>- last updated on May-26-2021</i></li>
     <li><b>New webinar:</b> <a href="https://note.microsoft.com/MSR-Webinar-Retiarii-Registration-On-Demand.html">
       Introducing Retiarii: A deep learning exploratory-training framework on NNI

docs/en_US/conf.py

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 # The short X.Y version
 version = ''
 # The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags
-release = 'v2.5'
+release = 'v2.6'
 
 # -- General configuration ---------------------------------------------------
 

docs/zh_CN/Tutorial/InstallationLinux.rst

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.. 0f5fee8263b2829f156835c1e895bf2e
+.. 1488ec09b21ac2a6c35b41f710c9211e
 
 在 Linux 和 Mac 下安装
 ======================
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 
 .. code-block:: bash
 
-     git clone -b v2.0 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+     git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
      cd nni
      python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
      python3 setup.py develop
@@ -39,14 +39,14 @@
 
 .. code-block:: bash
 
-    git clone -b v2.0 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+    git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
     cd nni
-    export NNI_RELEASE=2.0
+    export NNI_RELEASE=2.6
     python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
     python3 setup.py clean --all
     python3 setup.py build_ts
     python3 setup.py bdist_wheel -p manylinux1_x86_64
-    python3 -m pip install dist/nni-2.0-py3-none-manylinux1_x86_64.whl
+    python3 -m pip install dist/nni-2.6-py3-none-manylinux1_x86_64.whl
 
 在 Docker 映像中使用 NNI
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
 
   .. code-block:: bash
 
-     git clone -b v2.0 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+     git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
 
 * 
   运行 MNIST 示例。

docs/zh_CN/Tutorial/InstallationWin.rst

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.. a6dd4da0aa88f250a7b1146566021ce8
+.. acdfab53c8209a53709a5bdca72d29b2
 
 在 Windows 上安装
 ==================
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 
   .. code-block:: bat
 
-       git clone -b v2.0 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+       git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
        cd nni
        python setup.py develop
 
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 
   .. code-block:: bat
 
-       git clone -b v2.0 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
+       git clone -b v2.6 https://github.com/Microsoft/nni.git
 
 * 
   运行 MNIST 示例。