The October 2016 release of SolarWinds MSP Backup & Recovery 16.10 was posted to the download site on October 11th and pushed to the Auto Update Service on October 25th.

Partners using the Recovery Console and Bare Metal Recovery components are encouraged to download and update those components to the latest version to ensure compatibility.

Version 16.10 includes several new features simplifying management and deployment as well as enhancements to address usability, performance and customer reported issued.

Note: Our development team is actively working on new features and functionality, therefore we have decided to not release a 16.11 version during November 2016.  Please check back later for more updates.

Summary for MAX Backup 16.10 

• Backup Profiles – It is now possible to create and assign profiles to multiple backup devices from within the  Management Console. You will notice a new Backup Profiles icon on the left navigate bar that will let you create profiles that can then be applied to your devices.  Backup Profiles include the ability to define the Profile name,  data selections, backup schedules, LocalSpeedVault location, etc.

Note: Backup Profiles can also be assigned as part of the Unattended Installation feature introduced in this release.

• Unattended Installation  – We have enhanced the Backup Manager’s installation process to allow multiple devices to be deployed within a partner via an unattended installation script without the need to pre-generate the device or installation credentials.  From the Partner Management section of the Management Console partners can now generate a unique partner installation ID that is used with the Backup Manager installer to automatically create new device under the specified partner branch in the Management Console.

Unattended installation commands can be executed from the command line or scripted into your favorite remote management or software deployment tools.  A sample script would contain a similar command as below:

mxb-windows-x86_x64.exe -unattended-mode -unattended-mode-partner-uid "xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx" 

[optionally assign Backup Profiles by including the following argument]

-profile-name "ProfileName"

Note:  Unattended installation generates a unique security code for each newly deployed device. Security codes generated in this manner are centrally managed and a temporary passphrase can be requested from the management console for use during disaster recovery.

• Online Documentation – The Management Console has been enhanced with direct access to search and view online product documentation and knowledge base articles.

• Automated Disaster Recovery Testing (Amazon Web Services)  –  it is now possible to automatically check the ability to boot a VM recovered via Virtual Disaster Recovery in the Backup Manager or Recovery Console.  If enabled, partners will receive an email with details of the VDR session and a Screenshot of the booted VM.  This functionality it available for VMs recovered to Microsoft HyperV, VMware ESX and now Amazon EC2 environments.  Implementation for additional  environments is planned for a future release.

Note: Care should be used not to use this feature in local networks where duplication of services (Active directory for example) could cause conflicts.

• Removal of Backup Manager Desktop Shortcut – With the release we have removed the desktop shortcut to the Backup Manager.  It can still be accessed though the Windows start menu.
• Localization Updates – Introduction of Italian language support in the Backup Manager

Ongoing Beta Features

• Virtual Disaster Recovery for Linux (Beta)– The beta release of our Virtual Disaster Recovery for Linux technology introduced in 15.7 remains available for partners.  Initial support is focused on VDR of CentOS to VMware. Please submit support tickets for any open issues.

Updating to the latest version

Backup Manager

You may download the latest Backup Manager from the download section of our website or download links within the Management Console.  The latest Backup Manager release will also be distributed via our auto update server approximately 2 weeks  after the initial release.

Virtual Drive

If installed, the Virtual Drive component will be automatically updated with the Backup Manager going forward.  When these binaries are updated, Virtual Drive may notify you that a reboot is needed to complete the update.

Management Console

You may download the latest standalone Cloud Management Console from the download section of our website.  The latest standalone release will also be distributed via our auto update server shortly following the initial release.  Once available you will be notified upon launching the management console and presented with the option to update.

Other Tools

You may also download the latest versions of the Bare Metal Recovery Tool, Recovery Console, etc. from the download section of the Management Console. These components are not currently distributed via Auto Update.