7.1.3 update not taking

[phoenix]

The 7.1.3 release notes really only refer to upgrading from 5.x or 6.x, but not updating from 7.1.x.

The Release Notes tell you how to upgrade from any version, go to the Release Notes and read the Upgrade Instructions (P12).

The release notes for the patch only say how to use the patch.

No they don't, on the very first page it tells you the patch is for the 7.1.3 version and not 'to upgrade to the 7.1.3 version.

Perhaps my confusion is in understanding the difference between the two packages.

I don't know why but a 'patch' is usually applied to fix specific bugs/RFEs in a product and the Release Notes tell you which bugs it fixes.

Just to recap, I have 7.1.2 installed. Do I: a) just do an install from the full release of 7.1.3 to update it, and then apply the patch?;

Yes.

... or b) should I just be able to apply the patch?

No. You always do a full download of a specific release then upgrade Zimbra with that - there's no such thing in Zimbra as an upgrade available as a patch.