Update 3.8 and an outlook on further development!

Update 3.8 released

This update fixes reported issues and is recommended for all users.

These issues are fixed:

• Synology HyperBackup detection sometimes fails
• The Windows users are only updated every 30 minutes to minimize access to the AD
• On QNAP, the wake-up via the calendar for the current QTS is improved
• MAC address resolution is now done by another provider, the previous one no longer works reliably

This update is currently the last for the 3.x version line and continues to support Windows Server Essentials 2012 (R2). However, anyone running such an old server must be aware of the risks. Microsoft has discontinued support for it in 2022.

Looking ahead, what’s next?

Version 4 is a step towards the future. This includes, in particular, the foundation.

Lights-Out up to and including version 3 is based on .Net Framework 4.5.x, which Microsoft introduced in October 2012 and officially supported with version 4.5.2 until April 2022.

This commitment to version 4.5.x was due to the support of Server Essentials 2012 (R2), which only ran error-free with this version.

The versions for macOS, Synology and QNAP, on the other hand, are based on the Mono Runtime 5.x/6.x, which was not always 100% compatible with .Net Framework and often required workarounds.

Lights-Out from version 4

Version 4 will be based on the current .Net 8.0, which offers a standardized environment for Windows, macOS and Linux (with Synology and QNAP).

This version jump requires many internal changes and adjustments. Work on this has already begun. However, it is still too early to give any binding dates.

All users with current maintenance can then switch to version 4.

We have not yet finally decided whether we will continue support for Server Essentials 2016 based on .Net Framework 4.8 with version 4. The effort involved may be too great.
What do you think? Please feel free to comment.

What does this mean for the supported systems?

The decision for .Net 8.0 also results in a new baseline for the supported server and client systems.

Server

• Windows 10/11
• Windows 2016 and later
• QNAP QTS 5.x
• Synology DSM 7.x

Client

• Windows 10/11
• Windows 2016 and later
• macOS 10.15 () and later
• Debian 11 and later (incl. systems based on it)
• Ubuntu 20.04 and later (incl. systems based on it)
• openSUSE 15 and later

Update now!

Download the latest version and update your system. If you run Synology DSM 7, be sure to apply the workaround after updating!

If you run into any problems, please post your questions in the forums.