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→Update control
The [[Stratodesk NComputing Virtual Appliance]] is a "server-type" Linux system and as such of course can be updated. In fact, the Virtual Appliance consists of three separate modules when viewed from an updating and maintenance perspective:* The Stratodesk NComputing Virtual Appliance software, including the web-based configuration/administration console and its backend programs
* NoTouch Center
* The underlying OS with all its packages and software modules
For any type of updates to work, your VA needs to be able to connect to the Internet, specifically to the Stratodesk NComputing and Ubuntu update servers, outbound port 80 (HTTP) and port 443 (HTTPS). Without Internet connectivity, you may not be able to update, but you might still have internal security threats, such as disgruntled coworkers. Therefore our recommendation is to keep your systems up-to-date.
= Update control =
In older versions of VA Console:
Go to "VA Operation" -> "Updates" in the main menu to get to this screen:
[[Image:VA-en-Updates-post1.0-65.jpg|none|600px700px]]<br> In newer versions of VA console, the UI selection is somewhat different:# In the left column, select 'Maintenance and Diagnostics'# Click on 'Update NoTouch Center'# A upload UI will be displayed to allow uploading of deb packages for Virtual Appliance software updates or NoTouch Center updates<br>[[Image:NTC update.png|none|800px]]<br>[[Image:NTC update2.png|none|800px]]
== Virtual Appliance software ==
# Create a backup or VM snapshot.
# Go to "VA Operation" in the main menu and then choose "Updates".
# If there is an update available, it will be displayed - click on "Install". If there is none available or the system can not connect to the Stratodesk NComputing update service, it will display a message accordingly.
# If possible, reboot the system.
In case this update mechanism does not work, for example for firewall reasons, you can get the update .deb file from our download portal and apply it here. Click on the "Upload/update .deb package".
[[Image:StratodeskVAVA-en-PackageUpload.jpg|none|500px700px]]
=== Notes ===
NoTouch Center can also be updated using the .deb package upload mechanism.
# In the older versions of VA consoleConsole, select "VA Operation" in the main menu
# Click on "Updates"
# Scroll to the "NoTouch Center" header and click on "Upload/update .deb package"
[[Image:StratodeskVA-NoTouchCenter-Update-Step1.jpg|none|600px]]
<br>
In newer versions of VA console, the UI selection is somewhat different:
# In the left column, select 'Maintenance and Diagnostics'
# Click on 'Update NoTouch Center'
# A upload UI will be displayed to allow uploading of deb packages for Virtual Appliance software updates or NoTouch Center updates
[[Image:NTC update.png|none|800px]]
<br>
In the page that appears now, upload the NoTouch Center update file (a .deb file).
NoTouch Center will be installed and restarted. Please allow at least one minute for NoTouch Center to reconfigure itself. Do not reboot the VA immediately. You might also want to have a look at this article about NoTouch Center update: [[Updating NTC]]
== Underlying Operating System updates ==
#*:<pre>apt-get install -f</pre>
# After the process has run through well and there have been packages updated, we recommend to reboot the system afterwards unless you have PXE-clients depending on the machine
=== Recovery from a failed update ===
If your system gets totally broken and does not boot any more and potentially stops a weird textual screen, recover using these steps:
# Reboot the VM holding the Shift key on boot. This will enter the boot loader.
# Select "Advanced options". When asked for username and password, use "admin" and your password.
# The system will then show a list of Linux kernels available. The newest is most likely the one that is broken, so '''select an older one.''' At this point do net yet use recovery mode, simply select an older kernel without the "recovery mode tag".
# If the system boots into this kernel, you will see a normal looking menu screen and the system will be reachable by browser.
## Log in to the VA via SSH - see this article for more information: [[SSH login]]
##* In short, get PuTTY[http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html] and connect to the system using the "notouchadm" username and the password that you had set
## Type in this command to get administrator ("root") privileges. When asked for a password, enter the password you used for login again.
##:<pre>sudo su</pre>
## Type in this command (spaces and case do matter!):
##:<pre>apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade && apt-get autoremove</pre>
## Usually this will take some time and it will run without questions. If the system displays dialog boxes about new configuration files or similar, we suggest to select "keep current version".
##* If, and only if, the system complains about an update being interrupted and suggests to run sudo dpkg --configure -a then please execute
##*:<pre>dpkg --configure -a</pre>
##* Also, if there are errors about unmet dependencies, please execute
##*:<pre>apt-get install -f</pre>
# Repeat if necessary. Run <code>apt-get update</code> if the system complains about something not to be found.
# Reboot after both these ran through without errors.
If you can not get any kernel to boot, you need to use a backup.
=== Operating System Update Latest History ===