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Unsupported NovaBACKUP Version / Changelog Archive

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Ben
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Overview

NovaBACKUP Technical Support is able to provide assistance for the current and one previous Major Version of the software.

This article exists for customers who are interested in seeing all of the changes for older releases of the software that have been made available.

Current NovaBACKUP Version: 

See www.novabackup.com/changelog for information about the currently supported versions of the software.

NOTE: Use the "Check for Updates" button in the Help menu of the software to find the latest version available. It can take about a week for you to be able to obtain the current version after it has been announced, using "Check for Updates" in the software.

Changelog

Please see the following for an at-a-glance overview of what was added or removed from the software:

NovaBACKUP Major Version Highlights

Jump to a Release

Version 17.x

17.6.415

Release Date: 29APR2016

Fixed issues / bugs

  • Image Backup Improvements
    • The user can now right-click on a scheduled Image Backup job and select an option to modify the job. Which parameters can be modified depends on whether the job has already run once or not.
    • As a simplification to creating Image Backup jobs, the user no longer has to specify a "job name" and a "backup name." They are now one and the same. In addition, the job name is automatically generated for incremental and differential Image Backup jobs.
    • The job name for Image Backup jobs is now displayed in the log file list. Previously, the job name was blank.
    • Image Backup will no longer display optical disk drives in the list of drives that can be backed up.
    • A bug was fixed that prevented the user from being able to backup individual partitions on some Windows systems if the partitions had drive letters assigned to them.
    • A bug was fixed that prevented the creation of Image Backup boot discs in simple mode on Windows 8.1 systems after the latest Windows updates were applied.
  • Fixed some errors in the German translations.
  • Fixed issue where LogViewer.exe may crash on systems without the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
  • Fixed issue where the backup client doesn't show any backup devices by preventing the "NovaBACKUP Devices" feature to be marked as "Feature will be installed when required" when performing a custom installation.

System Requirement – NovaBACKUP

  • Removed Support for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP.
    • You will not be able to install NovaBACKUP on Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP OS with NovaBACKUP v17.6, and newer.

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17.5.1423

Release Date: 24FEB2016

New Features – NovaBACKUP

  • Enhanced creation of Image Backup jobs such that incremental and differential jobs can be flexibly defined and scheduled before the first full backup job has run
  • Enhanced Image backups (a.k.a. disaster recovery) now conveniently assignable to NAS device destinations.
  • Backup client can use either .NET Frameworks versions 3.5 or 4.X, whichever is already installed, thus reducing the need for setup to install an alternate version.
  • Improved Error Handling: More information provided, and reduced “false negatives“ create an improved user experience.

Fixed issues / bugs

  • Demote some error messages to informational, and remove several "false negatives" altogether. Specifically: DR retention jobs are not classified as failed if a log file cannot be removed, the cause of syslog.txt rename errors has been fixed, and snapcmd no longer logs an error caused by trying to access a non-existent message file.
  • Virtual Dashboard fixed to not allow the selection of Hyper-V VM's running on Windows 10 since this is not a supported configuration.
  • Clicking on an empty folder in the restore view throws an error.
  • GUI may crash if a large number of job logs are retained on the Logs tab.
  • When double-byte characters are entered into the “Explanation” portion of the scheduled setting for holidays and then saved, the texts come up garbled.
  • When attempting to backup/copy to a network path with double-byte characters in the path, the process fails.
  • Backup being ran on a ‘Holiday’ when it should not be when a job is configured through the wizard.
  • Backup job failed if destination was a NAS drive and the user account used an empty password.

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17.2.1112

Release Date: 18NOV2015

New Features – NovaBACKUP

  • Enhanced "Last Run" column in schedule tab to display the date / time the job was executed if a user selected "Run Now"
  • Enhanced the default exclusion list to properly exclude the Windows 10 download folder
  • NovaBACKUP now reports with its License Key when querying the Application Update service for available updates

Fixed issues / bugs

  • Fixed crash that occurred while adding / using a NovaBACKUP script from a network share with read-only permissions
  • Fixed crash relating to log viewing if a restore was triggered using the 'Time Mode'
  • Fixed UI crash relating to inappropriate / unrecognized results being passed to commands unexpectedly
  • Resolved issue where NovaBACKUP did not recognize Microsoft Exchange on SBS 2008 / Exchange 2007 SP3
  • Resolved issues where backing up Exchange / SQL servers with similar names would produce duplicated backup data
  • Resolved multiple issues where SQL or Exchange were unable to be restored from Amazon S3
  • Resolved multiple issues with restoring backups from Amazon S3 which were encrypted
  • Resolved issue where NovaBACKUP Monthly Reports scheduled on certain days would begin emailing every day instead of monthly
  • Resolved issues on server operating systems using IE ESC receiving warnings
  • Resolved issue where OneDrive on Windows 10 was not showing up as a valid 'Device' in the destination selection
  • Resolved issue relating to tape backups and the error, "Function 'fopen' failed for file 'C:ProgramData\NovaStor\NovaStor NovaBACKUP\Data\Media.', error 13: Permission denied"
  • CMC Fixed bug relating to naming NovaBACKUP Backup Policies

System Requirement – NovaBACKUP

  • Added Support for VMware 6.0

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17.1.804

Release Date: 07AUG2015

Fixed issues / bugs

  • Fixed an issue relating to Disaster Recovery backups and removable media (RDX / USB) where users would be unable to eject their removable device after executing a DR backup.
  • Fixed an issue when backing up files to cloud storage destinations when the file system had 8.3 file names disabled
  • Fixed issues relating to incremental backup reporting within Daily / Weekly / Monthly summary reports that would display, “0, or unknown”
  • Fixed an issue that would crash NovaBACKUP if a user attempted to change the default temporary folder from the Default Settings window

Known Issues

  • After creating a Disaster Recovery Boot Image using the “Simple” method, users are unable to write the DR Boot Image to a valid CD/DVD burner. Using the “Advanced” method or writing to USB work as expected.
    • The issue only relates to writing to a CD/DVD, the image that is created during the “Simple” method is a valid Disaster Recovery Boot Image
    • Users can choose to use either a USB thumb drive to write the DR Boot Image or use the DRBoot.iso file that is provided during the process as they so choose.

System Requirement – NovaBACKUP

  • Added Windows 10 support

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17.0.1615 (17.0 "R1")

Release Date: 22APR2015

New Features – NovaBACKUP

  • NovaBACKUP Alerts SMTP service
    • It’s now easier than ever to send an email alert with NovaBACKUP. Starting in NovaBACKUP 17, we’ve included the NovaBACKUP Alerts service. Simply provide your e-mail address and we’ll do the rest – no more messy SMTP settings (unless you want them!)
  • Daily, Weekly and Monthly Summary Reports
    • You are now able to configure and e-mail a summarized report of all activities performed by NovaBACKUP in the last day, week or month.
  • Updated Log Viewer
    • The log viewer has been given a facelift and matches the new Summary Reports. It’s also cleaned up the information being presented to help you better understand what happened during your backup job.
    • The log viewer now also prints out logs that match what’s on screen (HTML log)
  • Network Devices now in Disaster Recovery / Virtual Dashboard
    • Pre-configured Network Devices will now be available as an option within a manually executed Disaster Recovery job. Additionally, if you select a network destination for a backup job from the Virtual Dashboard, NovaBACKUP will automatically provide the credentials from the Network Device.​

System Requirement – NovaBACKUP

  • NovaBACKUP requires GUID (GPT) partition style to be set for a destination storage device that is an external hard drive which is 2TB or larger in physical size. Please read our Knowledge Base article on this subject which contains instructions on how to verify if your drive is the older MBR partition style and how to set the drive to GUID (GPT). If you rotate/swap external hard drives, be sure to check each drive to verify that it is using GUID (GPT). If this requirement is not in place, and you are using a external hard drive that is 2TB or larger, but not set to GUID (GPT), then your backups will most likely randomly fail. We cannot support NovaBACKUP in your environment if this requirement is not met.

Important note for First BACKUP & SiTaaS customers

  • We request at this time that you please DO NOT upgrade to NovaBACKUP 17 as there is a slight risk that it could affect your ability to perform offsite backups successfully to our service. This issue is not critical and your data is not and has never been at risk. If you remain on your current version, you will continue with no interruptions in your service.
  • Please check our support portal (http://support.novastor.com/hc) for any updated information regarding these issues and when the fix is made available.

Fixed issues / bugs

  • Fixed an issue relating to a Network Device during scheduled Disaster Recovery backups
  • CMC network file section error fixed – users can no longer select the entire network during backup job creation
  • CMC manual file selection error fixed – users can now browse subfolders during manual file selection
  • Fixed issues when backing up documents to an xSP device via CMC
  • Clients connected to a CMC can now add devices from their local NovaBACKUP installation
  • Resolved issues with certain clients where the CMC was incapable of starting a restore process
  • Removed built-in Antivirus support
  • Removed CD / DVD / Blu-Ray support (as backup/copy target)
    • NOTE: Media Spanning supported for Single Tape Drives, such as LTO
  • Resolved background crash if a user’s backup metadata was stored incorrectly
  • Modified files selected / files completed reporting within Log Viewer to more accurately portray what’s happened.​

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Version 16.x

16.5.1215 (16.5 "R2")

Release Date: 18DEC2014

New Features – NovaBACKUP and NovaBACKUP Central Management Console

  • Supports backing up to popular file sharing applications:
    • Dropbox
    • OneDrive
    • OneDrive for Business
    • SkyDrive
    • Google Drive
    • Sync
    • SafeSync
  • NovaBACKUP Support Tab – Support portal included directly within the application for fast troubleshooting and notifications
  • Ability to set a Holiday Schedule (disable backups on a particular date)
  • Ability to recover NovaBACKUP Virtual Dashboard VMware or Hyper-V backups from an alternate NovaBACKUP installation (16.1+)
  • Restoring Legacy Hyper-V / VMware / SQL / Exchange files to an alternate location no longer requires a VDF extraction
  • Single Mailbox Restore trial now available for all Business Essentials users at time of installation.
  • Ability to delete individual backup logs from the NovaBACKUP Virtual Dashboard
  • Ability to encrypt disaster recovery backups from the Central Management Console
  • User interface now remembers internal window sizing
  • Double clicking a NovaBACKUP Backup File (.NBD) will now open the NovaBACKUP client to the restore tab or import tool
  • The Central Management Console's pie chart is now clickable to filter the recent job log history to a specific result type (Success / Warning / Errors / In Progress)
  • Ability to back up to international Amazon S3 buckets
  • Introduction of the NovaBACKUP Customer Experience Program

Fixed issues / bugs (R2)

  • Excessively verbose logging has been resolved
  • v16.5 warnings: Unable to reset archive flag for read-only or system/protected files resolved
  • Resolved issue relating to trusted sites on Server operating systems
  • sFTP functionality fully restored
  • Reduced excessive log retention when client is connected to a Central Management Console (agentsvc.log)
  • Resolved potential application issues relating to retention in NovaBACKUP
  • URLs in German client now direct to German pages as expected
  • Disaster Recovery fixes
    • NovaBACKUP will no longer prompt to close Disaster Recovery during uninstall / upgrade
    • NovaBACKUP will now install proper Disaster Recovery driver versions during upgrade / install
    • Resolved issue that required Windows Install discs in order to create basic boot media (Windows 8.1)
    • Resolved issue with converting Disaster Recovery images to VHD
    • Resolved issue with scheduled Disaster Recovery jobs and pre-configured NovaBACKUP Network Devices

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16.5.1106 (16.5 "R1")

Release Date: 18NOV2014

Fixed issues / bugs (R1)

  • FTP, sFTP and FTP(s) now significantly more stable for large file transfers
  • NovaBACKUP no longer requires a reboot after installation
  • S3 backups now report their appropriate size within the restore tab
  • Installing the Central Management Console into a WSUS, OWA, or other 64-bit IIS configuration will no longer break the other application pools
  • Ability to restore Active Directory from 2012 / 2012 R2 installations
  • Ability to backup and restore Active Directory System Volume information from a non-default location
  • Removed legacy references to "Need to restore additional incrementals" from within the NovaBACKUP client and the Central Management Console
  • Now able to back up any length SQL or Exchange database
  • Now able to back up any length Hyper-V backups from the NovaBACKUP Virtual Dashboard
  • "Single Mailbox Restore" now immediately shows within the client after entering the appropriate license key
  • Corrupted values within NovaBACKUP XML logs will no longer cause the entire log to be unable to open
  • Deleting a Hyper-V Replication job no longer crashes NovaBACKUP Virtual Dashboard
  • Central Management Console environmental variables function again
  • Central Management Console is now able to restore to an alternative location again
  • NovaBACKUP Storage Server no longer retains unusable partially uploaded files
  • NovaBACKUP Virtual Dashboard now displays Hyper-V Virtual Machines in non-English Hyper-V installations
  • Fixed issues with SAS and USB tape drives on modern operating systems (Windows 8 and above)
  • Fixed / enhanced multiple issues relating to Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy service
  • Resolved multiple underlying NovaBACKUP Engine exceptions

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16.1.908 - Initial Release

Release Date: 10SEP2014

Changes and Notes:

  • Fix for Disaster Recovery backups stop working after an upgrade to 16.1.720 or 16.1.731​
    • The DR backups may stop working if a "System Reserved" partition existed on the disk which was being imaged and usually the stop would occur within the first 45 seconds of starting the DR backup.
    • NOTE: If you created a DR backup job in v16.1.720 or v16.1.731 and then upgrade to v16.1.908 you ARE REQUIRED to re-create your DR related job(s).
  • Fix for "Resource is currently in use" file backup related error
  • Selected file(s) as part of your backup set selection with invalid stored "Modified Date" property may result in a failed backup when the backup reaches that set of file(s)
  • Fix for "Buffer size 8192 is insufficient for requested data" related error

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16.0.19 - Initial Release

Release Date: 13MAY2014

New:

  • New NovaBACKUP Virtual Dashboard for managing advanced virtual machine backups / replication
    • VMware and Hyper-V Backups with ability to restore individual files
    • VMware Host-to-Self and Host-to-Host Replication
    • Hyper-V Replication Management and Monitoring
  • Single Mailbox Restore
  • HTML5 Help documentation

Changes and Notes:

  • Install / Uninstall now require a reboot
  • The ability to mount and restore individual VMware files requires a special type of device driver which needs a reboot to function. Instructions on how to remove these features / disable reboot during an install are available on our FAQ for Silent installation of NovaBACKUP
  • Removed Mirror and Bi-Directional copy options
    • These options - while functional - caused more issues than they resolved. Both features have been shelved for review by our product team to make an overall better experience for our customers
  • Multiple VSS-related bug fixes

Known Issues:

  • Saving VMware / Hyper-V backups that result in a file path exceeding 255 characters will fail.

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Version 15.x

15.0.14 - Service Pack 1

Release Date: 13JAN2014

  • Fixes to FTP backups and special characters (Japanese / Double-Byte characters, etc)
  • Fixes to Express Wizard "All Files" jobs (VSS errors for non-existent drive letters)
  • The Express Wizard "Splash Screen" no longer appears (still accessible through the main GUI)
  • Included a new German-language (Deutsch) EULA

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15.0.10 - Initial Release

Release Date: 13NOV2013

  • Initial release of NovaBACKUP 15
  • Removed file-cache requirement for local Microsoft SQL, Microsoft Hyper-V, Microsoft SQL, and VMware backups (does not affect xSP, FTP, or S3 backups).
  • Added encryption options for Disaster Recovery backups
  • New XML-based logging and log-viewer
  • Added support "search" bar throughout application
  • Moved "Default Settings" to the NovaStor "N" logo (top left)

System Requirement – NovaBACKUP

  • Added support for Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2

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End.

Other Notes

Partner builds and xSP / OEM versions of NovaBACKUP will be one minor version higher than listed above but are the same technical versions (e.g. - Version 16.5.1216 is the partner version of NovaBACKUP 16.5.1215). For Partner-Specific downloads of NovaBACKUP, please be sure to sign up as a NovaStor ValueCreate! Partner and you can find the downloads at your Partner Portal.

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