Updating the Software

All the updates, whether related to the ActivID Appliance, the operating system, or the database, are provided by HID Global as signed and time-stamped RPM files.

Important:

  • Only software update files (RPM) provided by HID Global are supported and can be installed. Third-party software update files are not supported.

  • Upgrades are allowed if you have a maintenance license corresponding to the number of users in your deployment.

Note: Updating in Dual Mode:

  • A hot fix can be installed on one appliance, and then on the other, without breaking the replication.

  • A service pack cannot be installed on an appliance configured in Dual Mode. You must first set the appliance to Single Mode.

The installation process for a hot fix and a service pack is the same, and consists of two main steps:

  • Upload – checks if the package file is compliant before applying it to the appliance.

  • After a package is successfully uploaded, the appliance checks the content before allowing the Apply step.

  • If the maintenance license has expired or if the number of users exceeds 20% the maintenance license user limit, the hot fix or service pack installation feature is unavailable.

  • Apply – installs the hot fix or service pack.

Update Type Description

Both
  • Are signed with an HID Global certificate and cannot be installed if the signature is not valid.
  • Address all the different appliance installation configurations, for example:
    • With or without an HSM
    • On a hardware or virtual appliance
    • If an ActivID Application is installed/enabled or not

Hot fixes only
  • It increments the appliance version number (that is, the build number).
  • It mainly provides patches for the ActivID Applications but can also provide patches for a system component.
  • A hot fix is cumulative in the sense that it includes all previously released patches since the last service pack release.
  • It can be installed on top of:
    • The compatible service pack (for example, HF 8.3.0.124 can only be installed on top of SP 8.3; it cannot be installed on top of SP 8.2).
    • Any previous hot fixes installed on top of the compatible service pack (for example, HF 8.3.0.124 can be installed on top HF 8.3.0.25; it cannot be installed on top of HF 8.2.0.59).

Service packs only
  • It increments the appliance version number (including both the revision number and build number).
  • It provides ActivID Applications and system fixes but can also include new features and system updates.
  • A service pack is non-cumulative in the sense that you have to install all the previously released service packs before installing it.
  • It can be installed on top of:
    • The compatible service pack (for example, SP 8.3 can only be installed of top of SP 8.2; it cannot be installed on top of SP 8.1).
    • Any previous hot fixes installed on top of the compatible service pack (for example, SP 8.3 can be installed of top of HF 8.2.0.246).
  • It cannot be installed on an appliance configured in Dual Mode (the appliance must be set to Single Mode before updating).
  • It requires an appliance reboot at the end of the installation.

The compatibility digest is a 4-character version string displayed in the Troubleshooting page.

It allows to check if the following operations are allowed on an appliance node:

  • Set to Dual Mode (the target node should have the same compatibility digest).
  • Import a backup (the backup should have the same compatibility digest).
  • Install a hot fix if the appliance node is in Dual Mode (the hot fix should not change the compatibility digest).

As a general rule:

  • Hot fixes do not change the compatibility digest. However, the system is flexible enough to allow the compatibility digest to change in case of an urgent and critical fix requires changing the data model.
  • Service packs change the compatibility digest.
Warning!  

  • The installation of a hot fix or service pack might cause a service interruption.

  • The duration of the service interruption depends on the updates to be applied.

  • Do not interrupt the software update process while it is running. Otherwise, the appliance might become unstable/broken.

  • Once a hot fix or service pack is installed, you cannot uninstall it.

  • For a virtual appliance, you can revert the installation to restore to a previous machine backup.

  • For a hardware appliance, you can perform a factory reset to restore an appliance backup.

  • Before performing a software update, make sure that you have a recent backup available.

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