Solved update to 3CX version 16.05.611 gets installed automatically on Windows Server 2012R2. It's not Compatible!

[sycomites]

We have many instances of 3CX Version 16 set to allow Automatic Updates, and scheduled backups as taught by 3CX. This has presented a very Serious issue for us and our clients. Version updates get installed automatically every week. So eventually - on most of these instances where Auto Updates are set to ON, the latest up to date version V16.05.611 gets downloaded. No problem whilst the phone system works - BUT if you have a problem and need to remove and re-install 3CX you will find you Cannot re-install 3CX Version 16.05.611 (the now current download version) on any Windows server less than Server 2016.
Herein is a huge problem for those installs using Windows Server 2012R2 - as 3CX automatically updated to the latest version. In a recovery situation you cannot re-install 3CX and recover from a backup without changing the Windows Operating System on the Server. Not easy in lock down situations!

3CX Automatic Updates is not checking to see if its updated version is compatible with the Windows Operating System version it's installed on. Nawty!! So the only way to restore in a situation like this is to try and find a previous download of 3CX - Version 16.04.504, and also find a previous backup of 3CX that was not done in Version 16.05.611. Tearing out hair comes to mind here with those clients wanting minimum downtime and quick recovery!!



I am writing this for three reasons:

• Anyone with 3CX version 16 set to Automatically Update – Check your scheduled backups and keep ones pre 24th April 2020 – (day after is when I noticed some of our clients systems backed up with later version 16.05.611). You can check what version of 3CX your backup requires by opening the 3CX .zip backup file and opening the .xml and look at version number. Essentially with the “older” backup and IF you are able to download a 3CX version 16 Previous to the latest 16.05.611 – you will be able to re-install 3CX & restore the backup on to Server 2012R2 again. If not – during lockdown – you’ve got a problem – you need to change the Operating system.
• Has anyone out there got 3CX version 16.04.504 for me to download. 3CX don’t have it (I’ve been on phone to 3CX tech support).
• 3CX – can you stop the automatic updates installing onto Windows operating systems that it won’t be able to be re-installed on. This is probably more key to those larger installs with > 16 users as Windows Server tends to be the more common Op Sys used due to stability and handling lots and lots of extensions – Call Centres for example!

 

[cobaltit]

Sorry but I don't have automatic updates turned on for 3CX and never will. Too many years of managing Windows environments has taught me better.

Here's a link for v16 Update 4. I posted this in another thread:

https://sharesync.serverdata.net/us3/s/RluIVcGv13banfCZX4NfwM0033d6c4

 

[sycomites]

Wise words Cobaltit - and I will learn. I didn't see your thread - but will look now.
and ..... Thank You - you have seriously saved my bacon. I am immensely grateful.

 

[cobaltit]

Btw I forgot to add I agree with you that there should be a sanity check and I'm glad you took the time to warn folks. I'd also look into switching over to Debian. If you follow the guides for creating the VM and installing 3CX there really isn't much that you need to know about Debian, it pretty much just works.

Good luck!

 

[Ben R]

Just a heads up sycomites, we ran in to the same situation for a couple of PBX's. We completed an urgent in place upgrade from 2012R2 to 2019 Standard (at 3CX's recommendation) and we're still experiencing connectivity issues for the following: Android and iOS mobile applications as well as the Windows Desktop Application remotely. I have a case open with 3CX support and I'll update this post with any relevant and useful information. Thanks,

 

[sycomites]

Just a heads up sycomites, we ran in to the same situation for a couple of PBX's. We completed an urgent in place upgrade from 2012R2 to 2019 Standard (at 3CX's recommendation) and we're still experiencing connectivity issues for the following: Android and iOS mobile applications as well as the Windows Desktop Application remotely. I have a case open with 3CX support and I'll update this post with any relevant and useful information. Thanks,

Ben, Thanks for this information.
I've managed to recover the one client - 6 hours work, burning the midnight oil still - can't charge clients for this one really. Now just now trying to get to a situation with 3 other clients with Server2012R2 - so if there is a problem, we can recover. I rekon so many will get caught by this and not know until it's too late and clients will seriously suffer with down time.
On the connectivity issues, for external devices - try turning off completely the windows server 2019 firewall. It may help you. I hope you get them connected reliably soon. Cheers S.

 

[BrenttG]

Sorry but I don't have automatic updates turned on for 3CX and never will. Too many years of managing Windows environments has taught me better.

On Windows we agree, on linux, thats another matter. We have it enabled, and we watch over it on update night, to make sure they all come back online properly. Other then when things switched from Debian 8 to Debian 9, it has been flawless. Granted all of our servers are built to precise uniformity from an image, which itself was built directly from the 3CX ISO.

 

[StefanW]

@sycomites

sorry to say, but you have received several emails and blog post communication from 3CX regarding the compatibility of Windows OS to v16 U5. If no action has been taken then there is no one else to look other then yourself.