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EcoStruxure IT Entitlements replaced the DCIM Assets portal in December, 2021.
If you cannot log in to the EcoStruxure IT Entitlements portal, please contact support.
Set your notification preferences in your EcoStruxure IT Entitlements profile to stay informed of available software updates and more. See how
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Data Center Expert
Software download links are now available on the EcoStruxure IT Entitlements portal.
Data Center Expert release notes
DCE update path
Data Center Expert Virtual Machine Trial software download (AP94VMTRL) product page
You purchase the activation key (AP94VMACT) for your DCE VM Trial software here.
Please see the DCE VM section of the help center prior to using the software.
Current Version
8.1.0
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Older versions
8.0.0
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7.9.3
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7.9.2
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7.9.1
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7.9.0
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7.8.1
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This is the standard update process for DCE versions except for DCE 7.9.0.
DO NOT use these instructions to upgrade your DCE 7.8.1 server to 7.9.0.
See Complete upgrade process for DCE 7.9.0
Data Center Expert requires incremental updates. Multiple updates might be required to get to the latest version. See DCE update path
1. Log in to the EcoStruxure IT Entitlements portal
The DCE software update files are available in the EcoStruxure IT Entitlements portal. Log in and then click Software Updates. More information...
If the DCE update files are not available in EcoStruxure IT Entitlements, contact your local technical support to verify your support contract and get access to the update file(s) you need.
2. Download the upgrade.zip file
Download the upgrade.zip files for each version you need to update and note the MD5 or SHA1 checksum provided on the download page with each update file.
Verify the Data Center Expert installer MD5 or SHA1 checksum on a Windows or Linux computer before you use it to perform a software update.
DO NOT run the installer if your calculated value does not match the published checksum for your DCE version and operating system.
How to verify the checksum for the DCE update file
It is recommended that you perform the server upgrade when you upload the upgrade file to your DCE server. The upgrade will be performed automatically if the server reboots after the upgrade file is uploaded.
3. Check DCE VM hardware resources
If Data Center Expert is installed as a virtual appliance, make sure the virtual machine has more than one hard disk. Do not increase the size of the base drive (18GB for DCE 7.9.2 and older, 40GB for new installs of DCE 7.9.3 and newer). Use a second hard disk to prevent the appliance from running out of storage during the update process.
How to add additional hardware resources to the DCE Virtual Appliance
How to increase hard disk space on a DCE VM
How to increase RAM (memory) or CPU (processors) on a DCE VM
How to add a private network (second network adapter) to a DCE VM
4. Back up your DCE server
Make sure you have a valid backup of your DCE server.
Backups can only be restored on the same version they are created on. If you are performing multiple updates to get to the latest version, it is strongly recommended that you create a backup after each update.
How to create a Windows share
How to perform a backup in DCE
Troubleshooting DCE backups
5. Update your DCE server software
Download the upgrade.zip file and verify the checksum.
Extract the upgrade.zip file.
Log in to the DCE desktop client. Go to Updates > Apply Server Update.
Click Import and navigate to the extracted upgrade file. Click Open.
Click Install Update to start updating the server. Do not reboot the server during the upgrade process.
When the file transfer completes, DCE will restart and disconnect your client connection. You can monitor the progress of the update in the DCE web client. Open a browser, enter the IP address or hostname of the DCE server, and log in. NOTE: DCE software updates usually take an hour or less to complete. It might take significantly longer depending on the number of devices and amount of historical data.
When you are prompted in the web client, log in. Click Download client and install the new desktop client. DCE_download_client_360011375137.png
This upgrade requires more steps than previous versions.
The DCE software update files are available in the EcoStruxure IT Entitlements portal. Log in and then click Software Updates. More information...
If the DCE update files are not available in EcoStruxure IT Entitlements, contact your local technical support to verify your support contract and get access to the update file(s) you need.
The DCE 7.9.0 release updates the server operating system to Rocky Linux 8.4. The upgrade from DCE 7.8.1 requires a fresh install of the software or a new VM.
DCE 7.9.0 does not support server appliances (AP9465, AP9470, and AP9475) manufactured before 2012. Data Center Expert 7.9.0 server hardware requirements
DCE servers using API, ACS, or third-party integrations
It is required that you contact support to discuss your upgrade options.
The new DCE 7.9.0 instance must maintain the same MAC address(es) as the previous 7.8.1 instance. DCE uses a portion of the MAC address to uniquely identify sensors. If the DCE server MAC address changes:
The connection between DCE and EcoStruxure IT will be lost.
Data Center Operation/IT Advisor and the ACS data engine will report a new (and redundant) set of sensors.
You must contact support to update your licensing.
Upgrade DCE 7.8.1 to 7.9.0
Your DCE server must be at version 7.8.1 to upgrade to DCE 7.9.0.
This upgrade requires more steps than previous versions.
It is required that you contact support to verify you have a valid software support contract and discuss your upgrade options before you receive the Data Center Expert v.7.9.0 upgrade file.
DCE 7.9.0 does not support server appliances (AP9465, AP9470, and AP9475) manufactured before 2012. Data Center Expert 7.9.0 server hardware requirements
For DCE versions older than 7.8.1:
Download the upgrade.zip files for each DCE version up to 7.8.1. Use the standard upgrade process to install each upgrade in order until the DCE server is at version 7.8.1.
Note the MD5 or SHA1 checksum provided on the download page with each upgrade file. Verify the Data Center Expert installer MD5 or SHA1 checksum on a Windows or Linux computer before you use it to perform a software upgrade. How to verify the checksum for the DCE update file. How to verify the checksum for the DCE update file
DO NOT run the installer if your calculated value does not match the published checksum for your DCE version and operating system.
1. Backup DCE 7.8.1
Several factors affect the time it takes to perform a backup:
Number of devices and sensors
Quantity of historic data, including alarms and surveillance
Use of compression
Network speed
The type of backup you select also affects how long a backup takes.
A Configuration backup is faster than a Full backup. A Configuration backup does not include sensor and surveillance history. If preserving sensor and surveillance history is mandatory, select Full backup.
You can purge some historic data to help reduce DCE’s footprint and shorten the time needed to perform a backup. This is optional. The time it takes to purge data from the system varies depending on system performance. How to delete old data
Contact support if you have difficulty backing up your DCE server.
See DCE backup and restore
IMPORTANT: To backup DCE 7.8.1, you must use SMBv1 or NFS.
Microsoft began disabling SMBv1 in Windows Updates. This can cause DCE 7.8.1 and older to be unable to back up to existing shares or mount new shares. More information about enabling SMBv1
Note: SMB v2 and v3 are supported in DCE 7.9.0 and newer.
How to create a Windows share
How to perform a backup in DCE
Troubleshooting DCE backups
2. Perform a fresh install of DCE 7.9.0
Physical server: Restore DCE using ISO format
A system restore will erase all data and restore the DCE hardware server to its factory default settings.
Make sure you have a copy of all installed license keys and network settings prior to restore.
Download the ISO file to create a bootable USB key. How to create a bootable USB Key for DCE 7.9.0 (Windows or Linux machine)
Place the bootable USB key in the USB port of your DCE appliance.
Reboot DCE
When the appliance restarts the system restore process begins automatically. This process takes approximately 10 minutes for the 1U DCE Basic, 15 minutes for 1U DCE Standard or 25 minutes for 2U DCE Enterprise. When the restore is complete, you will be prompted to remove the USB key and press [enter] to reboot the server. Note: If the system boots into the existing DCE version, reboot the server and access the BIOS settings. Adjust the boot sequence to boot from USB first.
Once DCE has restarted, configure the DCE network settings.
Configure DCE network settings
Connect the DCE server to your network and turn it on.
Connect a keyboard and monitor to the server.
Log in to the console using the credentials: Username: apcsetup Password: apcsetup
Update the password for the apcsetup account. IMPORTANT: Make sure to keep a secure record of this password for future use.
Within 5 seconds, press [enter] to change settings.
Press M to modify the settings.
Set the default client/web administrator account credentials that will be used to log in to the DCE desktop client and web client.
Press [enter] for changing the apcsetup account password; this was set up in step 4.
If you want to change the apcinfo account password, type y [enter]; otherwise press [enter] to accept the default value of no. Note: The apcinfo account is used to display network settings only.
To enable SSH, press y [enter] or press n [enter] to disable.
Follow the prompts to specify the IP address, hostname, subnet mask, and DNS servers for the DCE server.
After the server has restarted, type its IP Address or hostname into a browser to log in to the DCE web client. Download the DCE desktop client and log in.
Virtual appliance: Download the DCE 7.9.0 OVA
Make sure the checksum matches the published checksum.
IMPORTANT
The new DCE 7.9.0 instance must maintain the same MAC address(es) as the previous 7.8.1 instance.
The MAC address for both the public and private network adapters must maintain the same MAC addresses as the previous 7.8.1 instance.
DCE uses a portion of the MAC address to uniquely identify sensors. If the DCE server MAC address changes:
The connection between DCE and EcoStruxure IT will be lost.
Data Center Operation/IT Advisor and the ACS data engine will report a new (and redundant) set of sensors.
You must contact support to update your licensing.
Contact support if you have difficulty assigning the same MAC address to the new DCE 7.9.0 instance.
Back up DCE 7.8.1.
Take a snapshot of the DCE 7.8.1 VM (optional).
Shut down the DCE 7.8.1 VM.
Start the DCE 7.9.0 VM.
Deploy the 7.9.0 VM with the same network adapters, MAC address, IP address, CPU count, memory, disk drives and disk capacity as the DCE 7.8.1 VM. Note: This is a good time to add resources if needed. To increase storage for the VM, you must create additional hard disks. You cannot change the size of an existing hard disk, or remove a hard disk once it has been created. An error may occur on the primary interface, and the DCE VM will not start.
See these articles in the DCIM Support Help Center for guidance on how to deploy the DCE VM:
Deploying and configuring a DCE virtual appliance
DCE server equivalent configurations for VM
DCE sizing guide
3. Restore DCE from backup
Restore your 7.8.1 backup on the new 7.9.0 system. See DCE backup and restore
Log in and verify that DCE 7.9.0 is functional and data is present.
Verify any integrations that use DCE web services, for example, IT Advisor, custom services, and dashboards.
Back up DCE 7.9.0.
You must have a valid software support contract to receive the Data Center Expert 7.9.0 update file on the EcoStruxure IT Entitlements portal Log in and then click Software Updates. More information...
If the DCE update files are not available in EcoStruxure IT Entitlements, contact your local technical support to verify your support contract and get access to the update file(s) you need.
Windows
After downloading the DCE 7.9.0 ISO file, insert a 2GB (or larger) USB key into your system.
Extract Windows USB key Generator to a temporary directory.
Open a command prompt to the temporary directory and run mkDCExpertRestoreUsbKey.bat <iso image filename> .
Example: mkDCExpertRestoreUsbKey.bat c:\tmp\restore-7.9.0.196.iso
Answer the prompts as appropriate.
Linux
After downloading the restore iso file above, insert a 2GB (or larger) USB key into your system.
Extract Linux USB key Generator to a temporary directory.
Open a command prompt to the temporary directory and run mkDCExpertRestoreUsbKey.sh <iso image filename> .
Example: mkDCExpertRestoreUsbKey.sh /tmp/restore-7.9.0.196.iso
Answer the prompts as appropriate.
Warning: Only perform the steps in this section if directed to do so by a Technical Support technician.
Before You Restore: A system restore will erase all data and restore the DCE hardware server to its factory default settings. Please make sure you have a copy of all installed license keys and network settings prior to restore.
Download the restore.iso file to create a bootableUSBkey, or contact Technical Support for assistance. For a USB Key, follow the instructions provided in Creating a bootable USB Key (Windows or Linux machine) for DCE
Place the USB key in the USB port of your DCE appliance.
Reboot DCE.
When the appliance restarts the system restore process begins automatically. This process takes approximately 10 minutes for the 1U DCE Basic, 15 minutes for 1U DCE Standard or 25 minutes for 2U DCE Enterprise. When the restore is complete, you will be prompted to remove the USB key and hit enter to reboot the server. Note: If the system boots into the existing DCE version, reboot the server and access the BIOS settings. Adjust the boot sequence to boot from USB first.
Once DCE has restarted, you may configure the DCE network settings.