DW Spectrum - Updating DW Spectrum Software

Updating DW Spectrum IPVMS

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Affected Roles: Owner Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum® IPVMS

Last Edit: August 20, 2024

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Software Updates

Updates can be performed over the Internet using the latest build available, a specific build number, or locally from a downloaded file on a USB drive.

By default, each server and desktop client will download the update independently from each other. If the Server doesn’t have Internet access, the update can be downloaded via another server that has an active connection. If all available servers are without Internet access, the Client will provide each server with the desired update file.

This article will outline how to check the current version of the software, how to upgrade using the desktop client, or how to upgrade using an update file.

**NOTE: It is always recommended to create a Database Backup before updating the DW Spectrum IPVMS version.

**NOTE: You may notice the updates page provide a warning about updating at the end of the week. This is to avoid unforeseen issues occurring while DW Support is not available over the weekend. If you are unsure, contact Technical Support by phone for further guidance.

Supported/Affected Devices

DW Blackjack® Server Series

Checking the Current Version

To check the currently installed DW Spectrum version:

Launch the DW Spectrum Desktop Client and log in as the Owner or as an Administrator.

Click on the Main Menu, then select System Administration.

Alternatively, use CTRL+ALT+A on the keyboard.

The System Administration menu will display.

Click on the Updates tab. From the Updates menu, the currently installed version of the DW Spectrum Servers and DW Spectrum Client will display.

The following Update Status Indicators may display:

Yellow exclamation mark in the Resource Tree – indicates that the Server version is incompatible with versions of other servers in the system. The incompatible servers must be updated separately.
Version number is shown in GREEN – the current version is up to date with the latest build on the system.
Version number is shown in YELLOW – the current version is outdated but can be updated.
Version number is shown in RED – the current version is outdated and cannot be upgraded; possibly due to an OS that is no longer supported or an unknown error.

If the system has Internet access, it will automatically check for available updates. If an update is available, a notification will display in the DW Spectrum Client.

On Spectrum v4.2 and older, select Force Check to check for an update without having to wait for the automatic check to occur. You also have the option to select Disable Automatically Checking feature, but you will need to manually check for updates if it selected. For Spectrum v5.0 and higher, this has been moved to Advanced Settings.

Advanced Settings

The DW Spectrum Client will automatically update whenever a new software version is made available. This setting is enabled by default and can be managed by clicking on “Advanced Settings” in the Updates menu.

In Client Upgrade Methods

An Internet connection is required to download and install an update either by automatic update or by using a build number.

If the Server does not have Internet access, installation files can be downloaded and manually applied as needed. If this is the case, please see the “Offline Update from a Local Source” section below.

Automatic Update Notice

The DW Spectrum Client will notify when a public update has been released for DW Spectrum.

While logged in as the Administrator or as a user with Administrator privileges, navigate to the Updates menu.

If DW Spectrum detects that there is an update available, a notification will display. Accept the update to begin the update process.

You can prompt DW Spectrum to check for available updates by selecting Force Check.

Update To a Specific Build

Release notes for DW Spectrum include the build number and password needed to update to a specific build.

If you need a specific build number and password, you can contact Digital Watchdog Technical Support.

To update to a specific build number:

In the DW Spectrum Client, open the Updates tab then click on the drop-down button in the top-left corner and select “Specific Build”.

Enter the Build Number and Password of the DW Spectrum version that you want to apply to the system, then click the Select Version button.

Once the system has located the build file, click “Download” then select “Install Update”.

If the update fails due to an Internet interruption, use the Update button to download and install the update package later.

Offline Update from a Local Source

If the Server does not have an active Internet connection, you may transfer update files from an online computer to the Server using a USB flash drive.

**NOTE: You can download the latest Client and Software installation files from the DW Cloud Web Portal. Do NOT install the Client & Server bundled package as it is for new system creation only.

Offline Update to the Latest Available Version

Click on the Main Menu, then click System Administration (CTRL+ALT+A) and select the Updates tab.

Click on Get Update File, then select Copy Link to Clipboard.

Copy the link to a Notepad or Word document for later use on a computer that has Internet.

From a computer with Internet access, enter the copied link into an Internet browser to download the update file.

Once the .ZIP file download has completed, transfer the files to a USB flash drive, then insert the USB flash drive to the offline client computer.

Copy the files over to the offline client computer then open the Updates menu in DW Spectrum Client.

Click on Latest Available Update, then select Browse for Update File.

A File Browser will display. Locate and select the update file, then click Open to begin the update process.

Single Server Systems
Single server systems have only one instance of the Spectrum media server application running.

To upgrade, it is recommended to use the in-client update methods if possible. However, you can download the latest Client and Software installation files from the DW Cloud Web Portal (Downloads) if needed. Do NOT install the Client & Server bundled package as it is for new system creation only.

Multi-Server Systems (Merged Systems)
Simply follow the steps above. Each Server in the DW Spectrum System will update and the media server program will be restarted. Wait for all the Servers in the merged system to complete their installations and verify the status. The DW Spectrum Client will be updated to the latest version. Once the update is complete, the desktop client will restart and begin to use the new version. All DW Spectrum Client instances on other computers will be prompted to update their software version the next time that they connect with the updated DW Spectrum System.

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For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: [email protected] | www.digital-watchdog.com