Instructions for installation

Install update

Please read the release notes carefully before you carry out the next steps.

Important information

Collax V-Cube Update 6.9.50 An interim update will be released before the upgrade to version 7.5. This is only for preparation purposes and has no further new features.

1. Upgrade for Collax V-Cube+ and V-Bien to follow It is not yet possible to upgrade a cluster to version 7.5. The upgrade for Collax V-Cube+ and Collax V-Bien will follow.
2. Data Backup. Always perform a full system and virtual machine backup before upgrading.
3. No snapshots There must be no virtual machines with a snapshot. Before the upgrade, the system checks whether snapshots exist. These must be deleted before the upgrade option is available.
4. Options for KVM emulator If the expert setting Options for KVM emulator has been configured for a virtual machine under Additional settings and the Use checkbox has been set, there is a possibility that the virtual machine will not boot after the upgrade. We recommend deleting the settings and using the regular settings.
5. Free memory The upgrade will require additional memory on the root partition. Therefore, if possible, the service partition is removed during the upgrade and the freed memory is added to the root partition. The system then checks whether this is sufficient for the upgrade. If there is not enough free memory available for the upgrade, the upgrade cannot be carried out. In this case, please contact our support team.
6. Error messages During the upgrade, some critical-sounding error messages will appear, but they are harmless. Unfortunately, this cannot be avoided. This is because dependencies cannot be fulfilled at all times during the upgrade.
7. Duration The update will take considerably longer than usual, as all components will be replaced. So please be patient. Under no circumstances should you interrupt the update by switching off the server, for example. If in doubt, ask our support team.
8. Reboot An automatic reboot takes place after the update. Important: Exceptionally, no information about the pending reboot is displayed on the administration interface. Please wait for this. Do not switch off or restart the server during the update under any circumstances.
   
   

Procedure

To install this update, please carry out the following steps:

1. Go to Menu → Software → System update and click on Get package list. The successful process of updating the package list is marked with Done.
2. Click on Get packages. This function then downloads the update packages just displayed.
3. Now click on Install. This function installs the new update. The end of the process is indicated by a Done.
4. If you have read all the information about the software upgrade and have decided to make the switch proceed with the upgrade process for version 7.5.0. Check the Yes, I want to upgrade to version 7.5 box.
5. This update will install the entire system and a new kernel. After the system update has been installed, the server is restarted automatically. Important: Exceptionally, no information about the pending reboot is displayed on the administration interface. Please wait for this. Do not switch off or restart the server during the update under any circumstances.
   
   

New in this version

The upgrade

Version 7.5 is a platform upgrade in which all packages are replaced and brought up to date. The installation of the new version therefore takes significantly longer than usual.

TPM 2.0

With this update, a VM can access a virtual Trusted Platform Module (TPM). This is a system requirement of Windows 11.

Secure Boot

The virtual UEFI firmware now supports Secure Boot. Please note that the mainboard type must be changed in order to use Secure Boot. To do this, change the setting from “Standard” to “q35”.

Support for Windows 11

The new version can be used with Windows 11, which has TPM and Secure Boot as system requirements.

Hardware support

By switching to a current Linux kernel (version 6.6 LTS), very current hardware is also supported. Future hardware can also be integrated more quickly.

Hard disk management

The new hard disk management is more convenient and intuitive. It also offers more options, such as setting up a newly installed hard disk.

CPU models

Modern processors have a range of instruction set extensions. Providing these to a VM can reduce the processing time of an algorithm, e.g. for encryption (AES extension) or video processing (AVX extension). AMD, Intel, Red Hat and SUSE have defined x86-64 architectures in order to achieve a common denominator in the support of instruction set extensions. These quasi-standards are now available for the operation of a VM.

Notes

Revisions

Many forms and details have been revised. The following are just a few examples:

1. input of memory data: The configuration of memory sizes is simplified by entering ‘k’, ’m’ and ‘g’ for kilo, mega and giga respectively.
2. USB pass-through: More meaningful information about the connected USB device has been added. USB 2 and 3 are supported.
3. Comments: By popular request and in our own interest, VM comments can now also be edited while the VM is running.
   
   

Takeovers

All useful helpers and simplifications of the Collax servers CBS, CSG and CGS are now also available for V-Cube.

1. Add, edit, copy elements: Three clickable icons allow existing elements to be edited and new elements to be created without having to leave the form.
2. Reachability widget: For input fields for other servers, the reachability (ping) is checked and whether a response is sent on the port.
3. New help: The new help is now clearer and better structured.
4. Web console: A console can be opened via the administration interface and thus saves an additional SSH connection.
5. Post-Config: Very individual settings that cannot be made directly via the administration interface can be made.
6. **Icon “Update available” next to the version number **.
7. Icon link to the form, which can be shared.
8. Search: Elements such as the name of a VM are found. Almost identical results are also displayed.
9. Assistants: All assistants can be set to “Done”, even if they have not been run through.
10. Passwords: Passwords are no longer readable when entering and reopening the form, but can be displayed with a mouse click.
11. Network groups and hosts: In order to be prepared for the upcoming IPv6 support, these elements have been introduced or revised.