September 2021 Newsletter
New Platforms - New Tool - More
Good day!
- BackupEDGE 03.04.01 build 3 Released
- New USB Stick Tool.
- Support and Maintenance Subscriptions - End of Life Information!
- Operating System Updates and Upgrades - IMPORTANT!
BackupEDGE 03.04.01 Build 3
BackupEDGE 03.04.01 Build 3 has a number of internal updates which are more fully described in the Changelog page on our web site. These mostly involve improvements to our Linux code pertaining to GPT partition sizing and UEFI table cleanup after disaster recovery, as well as generic improvements to SharpDrive debugging.
BackupEDGE 03.04.01 Build 3 also enables a NEW TOOL allowing Linux users to make Bootable RecoverEDGE USB Sticks on UEFI-based servers. See the next section of the newsletter for more information.
Beginning with the Build 2 release, we also officially support:
- Rocky Linux 8.4
- AlmaLinux 8.4
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 Service Pack 3
- openSUSE LEAP 15.3
This in addition to the other platforms that we had already added for Build 2 and announced...
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4
- Oracle Linux Server 8.4
- CentOS 8.4-2105
- Ubuntu 21.04 Server and Desktop
All licenses under a valid Support and Maintenance Subscription as of July 16, 2021 may update to this release at no charge. Please contact your reseller or our sales department to renew older Subscriptions. New installations should deploy this release only.
Download a free BackupEDGE 60-day demo and try it with your supported distribution today.
New USB Stick Tool
A change in BackupEDGE 03.04.00 Build 3 has allowed us to release a new Bootable RecoverEDGE USB Stick command line (ncurses-based) tool. This allows users to create RecoverEDGE boot media on UEFI-based servers using any type of USB media.
Many new Linux servers are deployed without optical (CD or DVD) drives. This poses a challenge for clients who have traditionally created RecoverEDGE disaster recovery boot media on a CD.
On BIOS-based servers you may enable SharpDrive backups and create a Bootable USB SharpDrive. However, this feature is not yet available on UEFI-based servers.
So the USB Stick Tool provides the solution. FYI it also works on BIOS-based servers, but we recommend the SharpDrive method as you don't need to leave EDGEMENU to use it.
More information is available here: https://www.microlite.com/recoveredge/usbtool.html
Support and Maintenance Subscription End-of-Life
This is a reminder of some important information sent in our last newsletter.
New BackupEDGE licenses receive a Support and Maintenance Subscription which varies from 1 to 5 years depending on the SKU purchased. The Subscription may be extended before expiration, or renewed up to 5 years after expiration. After a Subscription expires, an additional 5 years of non-priority, best-effort email support is available simply by emailing support@microlite.com.
All BackupEDGE 03.0x licenses whose Support and Maintenance Subscription expiration date reaches 5 years (making the license a minimum of 6 years old without renewed support) automatically move from "LICENSES NOT UNDER SUBSCRIPTION" status to "LICENSES NO LONGER SUPPORTED" status.
While these licenses will continue function properly...
- Non-priority email support will no longer be provided.
- Support renewals will no longer be available for updates and upgrades. New retail licenses will need to be purchased.
To check your expiration status, you may view any backup report, or under EDGEMENU you may select File -> About edgemenu.
Emergency Telephone Support will still be available at fees published on our web site support pages. Please see our Support End Of Life Information page for additional information!
When you update a Support and Maintenance Subscription, you'll always receive a new Activation Code. Always remember to:
- Enter the new Activation Code that you receive into EDGEMENU.
(EDGEMENU -> Setup -> Activate BackupEDGE -> Activate)
- Update your BackupEDGE to the latest supported release. This can be done manually, or if the server is connected to the internet, by running EDGEMENU -> File -> Check for Updates.
- Make and test new RecoverEDGE media or images after the update.
This will keep BackupEDGE functioning optimally!
Operating System Updates and Upgrades
Whenever new updates or upgrades are released by an operating system vendor, it is important to check our Linux Support Tables and UNIX Support Tables to ensure that we support the release you are updating / upgrading to, and you know the minimum BackupEDGE release required for proper operation with that update/upgrade. BackupEDGE and RecoverEDGE are not like word processing software. They require intimate knowledge of the kernel to do their jobs properly.
Please note that the tables show the minimum required releases. Newer releases are always checked for backward compatibility, and contain the latest patches, fixes and feature and performance enhancements. If you need support for a newer operating system and don't see it in these tables, please send us an email to sales@microlite.com.
Easy update availability is another good reason to keep your BackupEDGE license under a current Support and Maintenance Subscription. Keep safe, everyone.
Tom
D. Thomas Podnar
President
Microlite Corporation
724-375-6711
