Solved Activation server unreachable

[KevinP1]

Hi,

I'm trying to migrate our 3CX system by means of install on new machine and use the backup / restore function.
At this point the activation.3cx.com DNS name is unresolvable and thus I can't finish the 3CX installation.

3CX version: v16

I've tried to resolve the DNS from numerous locations but it seems the DNS name does not exist anymore:
kevin@:~$ dig activation.3cx.com @8.8.8.8

; <<>> DiG 9.16.1-Ubuntu <<>> activation.3cx.com @8.8.8.8
;; global options: +cmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NXDOMAIN, id: 42895
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 0, AUTHORITY: 1, ADDITIONAL: 1

;; OPT PSEUDOSECTION:
; EDNS: version: 0, flags:; udp: 512
;; QUESTION SECTION:
;activation.3cx.com. IN A

I've also tried by manually adding the IP I found on this forum 151.80.125.88 to the host file of the server but then it says it can't reach the licensing server.

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Evolute IT]

You need to update to the latest v16 or better yet, v18, to get the new activation endpoint.

There was emails and blog posts about that a couple months ago.

 

[KevinP1]

At this moment I can’t reinstall the PBX because of the license and I’m forced to update? Seems a bit strange to me.

 

[KevinP1]

According to the blog post there is a patch available:

When is the change due?​

This change will come into effect with the release of V18 Update 2 Beta, expected shortly. Version 16 customers will be provided with a patch for V16 Update 8, however this will be a short-term fix. Both updates extend the activation compatibility until November 2022.

How can get this patch?

 

[Evolute IT]

According to the blog post there is a patch available:

When is the change due?​

This change will come into effect with the release of V18 Update 2 Beta, expected shortly. Version 16 customers will be provided with a patch for V16 Update 8, however this will be a short-term fix. Both updates extend the activation compatibility until November 2022.

How can get this patch?

You needed that patch BEFORE the endpoint went off. You waited too long.

So, yeah, upgrade and reinstall using v18 is the easiest way.

 

[Saqqara]

everyone should be running v18 now, just install v18

 

[MikeAngel]

I've been trying to upgrade to version 18 all day at one of my clients offices and the problem is that the server's hostname is not resolving.

 

[CentrexJ]

Try dns as 8.8.8.8 for the dns on the vm and see if that helps.

 

[MikeAngel]

Try dns as 8.8.8.8 for the dns on the vm and see if that helps.

It does not. I added a screenshot to my post. Does anyone have the IP of the activation server so I can add it to my hosts file?

 

[CentrexJ]

It does not. I added a screenshot to my post. Does anyone have the IP of the activation server so I can add it to my hosts file?

You are using an old installer and its trying to talk to the discontinued license server. New server is activate.3cx.com not activation.3cx.com. Download the latest installer for v18 and you should be all set.

See this article below it explains the change. I'm not sure if the latest installer available for v16 has the fix needed to connect to the new server so you are best to go to v18 which is needed anyway as v16 is nearing end of life shortly with some services for it already retired and webmeeting and mobile apps coming along soon.

https://www.3cx.com/blog/releases/fqdn-endpoint-change/

 

[MikeAngel]

That was it. They changed the v18 installer in the few weeks since I downloaded mine. I got a new installer and it installed without a problem.