Activation after license expired & Fanvil reboot loop

[Ladman]

Hi,
a client of mine owns a 3CX Professional Annual 15.5.15502.6 on Debian installed on a ΒΟ (also one 3CX on HQ and two on other BOs).
Unfortunately license expired without inform me on time.
After the expiry of the license number of problems occurred, some expected (Bridge with HQ deactivated ) and some unexpected:
1.All Fanvil X4 (2.8.0.6251) suddenly started to reboot (loop) every 5-7minutes. Is that normal due to the expired license?
2.Although i upgraded the license (v16.0.0) in order to activate the PBX, now* we get the warning "Product cannot be activated because license key is for a previous version. Upgrade license key or purchase maintenance from here.".

*Please note that at first we get the warning "Unable to reach 3CX License Activation Server. Confirm that your Primary DNS Server is able to resolve activation.3cx.com".
But we fix the DNS Resolution issues (wrong network settings) and did the following changes:

• change DNS to “8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4”
• update/upgrade from Debian
• flush DNS cache
• disable IPv6
• add entry for “activation.3cx.com” on hosts file

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi @Ladman

1. The license expiry should not cause any bootloop, I do not think this is related in any way.

2. If you upgraded the existing license, you should be able to update the system from the management console.

Can you reach the activation server after your changes? This is the most important thing that needs to be done first.

 

[Ladman]

Hi @JohnS_3CX ,
thanks for your answer.

1.I thought the same but all that changed is the license that expired.
2.Please find the attached image showing that i can reach activation server. Or not?

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi @Ladman

This is just an nslookup, it only means you can resolve the IP but it does not necessarily mean that you can reach it.

Can you provide some more information on your setup?https://www.3cx.com/community/threads/information-to-provide-when-requesting-help.67558/

 

[Ladman]

Hi @JohnS_3CX

here are some information about the system:
3CX Version: 3CX Professional Annual 15.5.15502.6
Server OS: Debian 9
Is the 3CX Server Hosted: On-Premises, KVM
IP Phone: Fanvil X4 v2.8.0.6251
Provisioning Method: Local
Trunk Provider: Yuboto
Has the Firewall Checker passed: NO
Are custom Phone Templates being used: NO

I must also mention that there is no firewall between the pbx and the SL router.
I attached the 3CX firewall check results.

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Thanks,

1. Did you buy a new key, or was the existing one renewed?

2. I checked and the Fanvils will stop doing this after the upgrade. They will receive a new firmware that resolves this in V16

 

[Ladman]

Hi @JohnS_3CX
1. Was the existing one renewed. Actually upgraded because after expired turned to free.

 

[Ladman]

I forgot to tell that there is no linked reseller and when i try to link myself i get "Cannot find given reseller.", although when i enter my ID asked to confirm that it is me.

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Ok, I think the best thing to do in this case (since there are still unknowns) is to take a full backup without key/FQDN and download it off the machine.

Get our latest Debian ISO and install it fresh on your machine, and when your reach the configuration wizard at step 19. make sure to use the option to restore an existing backup. The expired license means that there is no longer an FQDN attached to your key most likely. It will ask you to enter your key now, and then you can either choose an FQDN or provide your own.
https://www.3cx.com/docs/manual/installing-debian-linux-pbx/

You also have some other alternatives like:

1. Click Edit license and then, just press OK in management console to force-refresh
2. Get your backup off the machine, and purge the installation and start from scratch by manual installation
3. No an option, but a warning: do not force update via APT commands, there are scripts that won't run and this will produce an unreliable installation

 

[Ladman]

Just an hour ago i managed to update the pbx to v16.0.3 and then became active.
All problems solved. Fanvils isse too.
Ι will post my solution shortly after i confirm some aspects, in order to be accurate.

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Glad to hear, make sure you also bring the X4 firmware up to date too