Solved Confused as to the whereabouts of V16 update 6 files

[Serco]

Hi everyone

We found a message (hiding in our junk filter!) about the requirement to upgrade our 3cx software currently on v16 update 1 to update 5 or 6 due to changes in the way SSL certs are delivered. We decided due to the email that it was something we should be doing.

When looking in our dashboard under 'updates', it only shows update 2 available and rightly highlights that as out of date. Therefore, I went looking for the latest version. I went to https://www.3cx.com/blog/category/releases/ and found a 'get now' option. I had to add some details but it downloaded an executable wiht the same name as previous installers. This concerned me a bit, but i took backups and shipped them off and snapshotted my system before running it.

My concerns were well founded as appeared to offer only an 'install' and no upgrade option and totally reinstalled the software. I linked to my backup file for config and it appeared to look ok, but found that i was unable to call out afterwards. Not knowing enough about the technical side of things, i reverted to my snapshot and its thankfully working again.

My question for you guys is did i download the wrong file to upgrade here? Is there a special upgrade file for version 16 update 6 that will see the existing install and just upgrade the files wihtout needing a backup file restored afterwards?

Also, should the updates section in my software show the latest update 6 rather than 2 or do i need to goto update 2 first before i see any other later upgrade files.

Thanks in advance - I really hate doing upgrades on something as important as the company phone system

 

[Saqqara]

Just keep updating your system via the management console, it may take two updates to get the latest version

Just make sure you are running the supported operating system

 

[AWS2P]

You miss some important things to say, like where is your pbx? cloud hosted? on premise? Debian or i Guess Windows?

If Windows then you need to make a complete backup keep your backup safe out of 3cx folders, then remove running version , reboot PC, then install V16.6 and restore your backup during install, Once done, check your backup settings, you probably need to re-do your scheduled backup tasks.
may be new firmware to apply on phones.

 

[Serco]

Thanks Saqqara
I'll give that a try another evening when my heart has restarted properly

We're running on a W2K16 server which is supported I think.

 

[Serco]

You miss some important things to say, like where is your pbx? cloud hosted? on premise? Debian or i Guess Windows?

Sorry, good point. Its on prem W2K16 server

 

[Saqqara]

Yes, server 2016 is supported operating system

 

[AWS2P]

OK my guess was right on target. so follow what i answered previously

 

[Serco]

You miss some important things to say, like where is your pbx? cloud hosted? on premise? Debian or i Guess Windows?

If Windows then you need to make a complete backup keep your backup safe out of 3cx folders, then remove running version , reboot PC, then install V16.6 and restore your backup during install

Christ! Is that really necessary when already on version 16 update 1? Remove running version, reboot and do a fresh install? That seems like a lot of hard work to upgrade on the same version....
That would make me never want to update it!!!!!

 

[AWS2P]

Thanks in advance - I really hate doing upgrades on something as important as the company phone system

this is just for the first time, after piece of cake

 

[AWS2P]

no more than 15 minutes , full pbx running latest version

 

[Serco]

OK, thanks aws2p, I will look into that. Seems a bit over the top to have to almost start from scratch when you already have the same version number installed and just looking to upgrade, but if thats what needs to be done, I'll try it on a clone device.

Sounds like i did follow the complete procedure apart from removing software first as the installation removed the software during the installation anyway - but i imagine a clean removal and then a new installation could improve my outcome from last night!

I will find some time to do this again shortly and update on progress

 

[JohnS_3CX]

@Serco All updates should be done via the management console. You do NOT need to ever use the installer to update your PBX (bar one single exception, when moving from V15.x to V16.x)

So don't worry about it and run the backup from the management console directly.

Your backup should cover you in case of any issues

 

[Serco]

JohnS_3CX - this is music to my ears!! I'll retry through the console as Saqqara suggested at the start (even though it only shows update 2 in there?). If for some reason it won;t work through the console, I can always do the slightly harder option offered by aws2p.

Many thanks all - I shall update this evening and test it

 

[JohnS_3CX]

The console always shows the next available queued update, some updates need to be done in a certain order so that the next version you install will know what to expect from the previous. If you jump ahead too far without the versions in between (or a full reinstall) then there is always the chance something might break.

If it will not proceed however, you can take a recent full backup and reinstall using your backup. The reinstallation does not take too long, and ideally if the machine is fast enough it may take from as low as 15 mins to get it up and running again. In case you face any issues we can of course assist you to overcome them and get back to an updated and running system.

 

[Serco]

Brilliant! Thanks everyone for your assistance. This evening I patched the clone system right up to the latest version through the console and it worked (bar at one stage when my registrar IP address got blacklisted for failed attempts!). Once happy and tested on the clone device, I powered it off and reran the lot on the live system.

Happy to have this completed successfully - many thanks to all of you

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Glad to hear!