Archiware P5 Version 5.6

Find all relevant information and links

New Features

All modules - Reverse connection: Client to Server

Traditionally, P5 runs on host machines as either a 'server', where jobs are configured and coordinated, or a 'client', which acts as a data source or destination for those jobs. P5 Backup, Archive, Synchronize and Backup2Go jobs all make use of this client/server architecture.

Prior to P5 Version 5.6, the P5 Server host always initiates the TCP/IP connection to the P5 Client, regardless of whether the client is being written to or read from. However, the P5 Client may not be contactable in this way, due to routers and firewalls blocking incoming connections.

P5 Version 5.6 allows the remote P5 Client to maintain a permanent network connection to the server, thereby removing the requirement for incoming connections. The P5 Server is then able to use this pre-existing connection to the client when running jobs that require access to the client's data.

The client host is configured with details of the remote P5 server, using its IP address and authentication details. Once the reverse connection is configured, a regular P5 Client connection is configured on the P5 server, so that it can be specified in a job as a source or target data location.

Registering workstation on P5 Backup server for reverse connection

P5 Backup & P5 Archive - Microsoft Azure, Hitachi S3 and Wasabi S3 support

Version 5.6 of both P5 Backup and P5 Archive now provide native Microsoft Azure cloud storage support, along with Hitachi and Wasabi support, via the Generic S3 option.

 These new storage options are available when using the Pool format for cloud storage.

Choice of Cloud Storage options in P5 Backup & P5 Archive

The Linear Tape File System (LTFS) allows files to be stored on LTO tape and be accessed in a similar fashion to those on disk or removable flash drives. Since LTFS-formatted tapes can be used between different drives/software, they are a useful format for transfer of data between systems and locations.

P5 Archive Version 5.6 supports labelling tapes as LTFS, writing files from local and client filesystems and reading from a tape and writing back to a filesystem. 

The 'LTFS Exchange' section of the UI, within the P5 Archive configuration, provides all of the LTFS configuration and operation options in one convenient place. A formatted and mounted LTFS tape can additionally be selected when restoring data previously archived or backed up using P5 Archive and P5 Backup.

LTFS data exchange is supported initially on macOS and Linux operating systems, with Windows support being added in a future release.

Creating LTFS Tapes in P5 Archive

P5 Archive - Support for Cloud import/export services

Backblaze, Amazon and Microsoft all offer an upload service, whereby a physical storage appliance can be shipped to a location where data can be transferred locally using NAS/DAS protocols to the appliance and then into a cloud container when the disk is returned to the cloud vendor. This allows for larger dataset to be migrated to cloud storage without potentially slow transfers using public WAN connections.

P5 Archive in Version 5.6 allows such services to be used, to bootstrap a cloud archive. The initial data requiring archive can be moved to the cloud using one of these storage appliances coupled with the service offered by the cloud vendor.

This is achieved by first writing to a P5 Archive 'disk library', created on the cloud vendors disk appliance. Once data is archived to P5 volume containers, and the appliance shipped back and migrated to a cloud storage (bucket), P5 can be reconnected to the newly located volume containers. This is done via new 'detach' and 'attach' operations performed on P5 pools. From here, any subsequent archived data will be added to the cloud storage.

A step-by-step description is available on the JPY Knowledge Base.

Detach/Attach options for Pools in P5 Archive

P5 Synchronize - More flexibility due to a new deletion mode

This new P5 Synchronize option helps avoid issues when replicating storage where files will be deleted and new files created on systems where disk space is limited. P5 Version 5.6 has a choice of two deletion modes, to suit varying user requirements. The behaviour of the default setting remains as before.

Delete and copy in one pass (default): Recursively compares source and target directories in a single pass, deletes files and folders from the target that have been removed from the source and copies new and changed files to the target in the same step. Benefits: faster operation because of a single source tree traversal.

Delete then copy in two passes: Recursively compares source and target directories in two passes. In pass 1, all files and folders are deleted from the target that have been removed from the source. In pass 2, new and changed files are copied. Benefit: prioritising deletion of stale data from target, makes space for new data on congested targets.

Selection of deletion mode in P5 Synchronize

P5 Synchronize - Throughput Tuning with parallel file transfers

In addition to the new delete modes, P5 Synchronize Version 5.6 now offers faster synchronisation by employing multiple simultaneous transfers between source and target directories. This can help achieve faster overall copy speeds by reducing the effect of both disk and network bottlenecks in the data path. Between 1 and 4 parallel transfers can be selected in the Sync plans 'Experimental Features' tab.

Single file transfer (default): Files are transferred sequentially from source to destination. Benefit: less system load.

Multiple file transfer: Multiple files are simultaneously transferred from the source to the destination. Benefit: Significant increase in throughput when very fast disk subsystems such as Solid State Drives (SSD) are used. Helps fully utilising WAN connections by reducing the effect latency has on the overall speed of the transfer.

Selection of number of parallel file transfers in P5 Synchronize

P5 Synchronize - Restore from Sync

The restore tab of the P5 admin interface now includes 'Synchronize', in addition to Backup, Backup2Go and Archive. This provides 'live' browsing of the folders that P5 Synchronize plans are writing data to. All target folders are available, each providing a live file browser, enabling view and selection

from the data stored at those locations. Once selected, a 'Sync To' button provides instant 'restore' of previously replicated data to another location of your choosing. 

Selection of destination for restore from Sync in P5 Synchronize

P5 Synchronize - Manual Sync

P5 Synchronize Version 5.6 allows for ad-hoc replication of data via a new 'Manual Sync' option within the Sync plan configuration. Manual Sync prompts for a source and destination folder and performs the copy without

having to configure a plan. Jobs run to completion and can be monitored in the job monitor. A simple tool for administrators wishing to copy data between hosts quickly and effectively.

Requirements & Compatibilities

Requirements - Archiware P5 Version 5.6

Operating System Requirements

macOS X

Intel 10.8 – 10.14 (64-Bit only)
Limitations:
- Backup2Go Server is not supported
  (see Update FAQ for details)

Important note for macOS Mojave 10.14:
Not all files backing up on macOS Mojave! 
Due to Apple's new privacy restrictions in macOS Mojave 10.14 for files and folders containing personal data, P5 cannot back up some files from apps like Contacts, Photos, and Mail.
Archiware will provide a patch that solves this limitation as soon as possible .

Windows

Server 2008R2, 2012R1/R2, 2016
Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (64-Bit only)
Please read before installing!
Limitations: 
- Backup2Go Server is not supported 
  (see Update FAQ for details)
- LTFS Exchange is not yet suported

Linux Kernel 2.6.32+ (x86 64-Bit only)
Limitations:
- As Backup2Go Server Filesystems: Btrfs 0.19+, ZFS 0.7.0+

Synology

DSM operating system 5.2+ 
(Intel x86 64-Bit only)
Limitations:
- As Backup2Go Server Filesystems: Btrfs 0.19+, ZFS 0.7.0+

QNAP

QTS operating system 4.3.0+
(x86 64-Bit only)
Limitations:
- As Backup2Go Server Filesystems: Btrfs 0.19+, ZFS 0.7.0+
- Tested with: QNAP SAS-12G2E, LSI-9207, LSI-9300

NETGEAR ReadyNAS OS 6.6.0 +
(Intel x86 64-Bit only)
Virtualization x86 – VMware, Parallels, Xen, Hyper-V

 

 

Operating Systems in Client-Only Mode

 FreeBSD 10.1 - 10.3, 11 (64-Bit only)
Cloud support only for version 11
client-only mode as of version 5.6.2
(See "Discontinuations" for details)
Solaris Solaris 2.10 Update 8, x86 and Sparc 
(64-Bit only)
Note: Language package Unicode UTF-8 required; Cloud services not supported
client-only mode as of version 5.6.2
(See "Discontinuations" for details)

Space requirements

Memory 2 GB+ available
Hard disk 1 GB for Installation + variable
(for backup/archive indexes)

 

Browser Requirements

Safari 5.1 +
Firefox 3.5+
Chrome 4+
Internet Explorer 10+

Compatibilites - Archiware P5 Version 5.6

Supported Tape Technologies

  • LTO-1, LTO-2, LTO-3, LTO-4, LTO-5, LTO-6, LTO-7, LTO-8
  • S-AIT 1, 2, 3, 4
  • AIT 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • DLT4000-8000
  • SDLT220-600
  • DLT-S4
  • VXA (on request)
  • 8mm
  • DAT

Disk Storage

  • Direct attached storage (DAS)
  • HyperFS
  • MetaSAN 4.5.0.0 (Windows/Linux supported from 4.6.0.0)
  • QNAP NAS
  • RAID
  • Removable Disk (RDX QuikStor)
  • Storage area network (SAN)
  • StorNext
  • Synology NAS (as of P5 Version 5.3.3)
  • SSD
  • Tiger Store
  • Vtrak FS
  • XSAN

Proprietary File Systems

  • Helios (UB, UB+, UB2, UB64)
  • Xinet V14
  • Netatalk 2

Supported Interfaces

  • SAS
  • SCSI
  • iSCSI
  • FibreChannel
  • Firewire
  • USB
  • SATA
  • eSATA
  • Thunderbolt

Supported Cloud Services

  • Amazon Glacier
  • Amazon S3
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Hitachi S3
  • Backblaze (B2)
  • Generic S3
  • Wasabi S3

Supported platforms include macOS X, Windows, Linux, QNAP, and Synology

3rd Party Integrations

  • axle
  • Final Cut Server
  • Canto Cumulus
  • CANTEMO
  • CatDV
  • cavok (Peak-14)
  • DALIM ES
  • Editshare
  • empress eMAM
  • FocalPoint Server
  • KeyFlow ADAMS
  • KYNO
  • Metus
  • Primestream FORK
  • Projective Strawberry
  • Xinet

Supported Tape Library Vendors

  • BDT
  • Dell
  • HPE
  • IBM
  • mLogic
  • NEC
  • Oracle/StorageTek
  • Overland-Tandberg
  • Qualstar
  • Quantum
  • Spectra Logic

Supported Hardware Manufacturers

  • Accusys
  • Apple
  • BDT
  • Bright Technologies Astella
  • DDP
  • Dell
  • Drobo (as a disk)
  • Facilis
  • FAST LTA
  • G-Technology
  • HPE
  • IBM
  • LaCie
  • mLogic
  • NEC
  • NetApp
  • Netgear
  • Object Matrix
  • Overland-Tandberg
  • Promise
  • QNAP (as of P5 version 5.5.3)
  • Qualstar
  • Quantum
  • Samsung
  • Scale Logic
  • Sonnet
  • Spectra Logic
  • Sun/Oracle
  • Synology (as of P5 Version 5.3.3)
  • ToolsOnAir just:store

Upgrade FAQ

FAQ - Updating to Archiware P5 Version 5.6

What is new in Archiware P5 Version 5.6?

Version 5.6 is an update release. The feature set is identical to Version 5.5 for the most part.
For more information about Version 5.6, please refer to the New Features page.
Important information about platform and module limitations can be found on the Discontinuations page.

Note: When updating to P5 5.6, the 32-Bit version is automatically replaced by the 64-Bit version.

Which PresSTORE or Archiware P5 versions can directly update to Version 5.6?
  • Only Version 5.0.x, 5.1.x, 5.2.x, 5.3.x, 5.4.x and 5.5.x can be updated directly to Version 5.6.
  • Version 4.4 need to be updated to Version 5.1 first. 
    For more details please refer to Upgrade FAQ 5.1.
  • Older versions need to be updated to Version 4.4.x. first. 
    For more details please refer to Upgrade FAQ 4.4.
Who is entitled to an Update free of charge?

The update is free of charge for all customers who:

  • purchased or registered P5 after October 3rd, 2017 or
  • had active Software Maintenance on October 4th, 2018.

 
Validity of the Software Maintenance Agreements can be verified in the Archiware Portal.

How much does it cost to update an installation when Software Maintenance is expired?

Updates are available through the Archiware Software Maintenance. For all licenses that ran out of maintenance, a reactivation of Software Maintenance is possible. It covers two major aspects: access to the latest software version and access to manufacturer support. Prices depend on how long the maintenance is expired:

  • Expiration <1 year:   35% of the license price according to the current price list
  • Expiration <2 years: 60% of the license price according to the current price list
  • Expiration <3 years: 70% of the license price according to the current price list


The reactivated maintenance is valid for 12 months, starting on the 1st of the month following the Archiware invoice date.

For more details about Archiware Software Maintenance & Support please refer to the Maintenance & Support.

Where can I get a quote for reactivation of Archiware Software Maintenance?

In order to receive a Software Maintenance reactivation quote, please contact your local reseller or request one through the Archiware Portal.

Which preparations should be made before the Update?
  • Make sure you meet the System Requirements.
  • Make sure that a required platform or function has not been discontinued.
  • Make sure you are eligible for the required license (point 3/4) or request a corresponding quote (point 5).
  • For safety purposes, please make a copy of the installation directory!
Do I need new license keys for the Update and where can I get them?

Since the introduction of Version 4.3, the maintenance expiration date is part of the license key. All installations with an up-to-date key and a valid Software Maintenance Agreement do not need a new license key.

Installations without an up-to-date key have to request one through the Archiware Portal.

What are the system requirements for P5 Version 5.6?

On this dedicated page, you will find all information about System Requirements for P5 Version 5.6.

Which features of previous versions are no longer available in P5 Version 5.6?

On this dedicated page, you will find all information about Discontinuations for P5 Version 5.6.

What technical effort is required for the Update?

An update from Version 5.x installation is comparable to a new installation.

The installer automatically detects an existing version and executes all necessary changes in the application and its configuration. Please check if it might be necessary to take precautions for a downgrade (see point 13). For security reasons, please create a copy of your installation directory.

Important Note for updating from 5.2 and previous releases: In some rare cases, a full backup may be necessary for P5 Backup. Therefore, the first backup after the upgrade will require the appropriate amount of time and backup capacity. The reason for this is that any missing drive information is mandatory in Version 5.6.

Do all clients/agents have to be updated to P5 Version 5.6 as well?

Yes, Version 5.6 has to be installed on all servers, workstations and virtual server agents.

Will all my settings remain intact when updating?

Yes, all settings remain intact when installing P5 Version 5.6.

Is it possible to downgrade to a previous version after updating to P5 Version 5.6?

After upgrading from Version 5.5, a downgrade back to 5.5 is possible with the following limitation:

  • All P5 Server and Workstation Agents have to be downgraded as well.

After updating from Version 5.1.x - 5.4.x:

For P5 Backup and P5 Archive, a downgrade is not possible.

Note: Please refer to the necessary preparations described in point 6. 
In case it is necessary to re-activate Version 5.x, this can only be done through a new installation and a subsequent restore of the configuration from a security copy made previously.

For P5 Synchronize and P5 Backup2Go, a downgrade back is possible with the following consequence:

  • All P5 Server and Workstation Agents have to be downgraded as well.

 

After upgrading from Version 4.4:

For P5 Backup and P5 Archive, a downgrade is not possible.

Note: Please refer to the necessary preparations described in point 6.
In case it is necessary to re-activate Version 4.4, this can only be done through a new installation and a subsequent restore of the configuration from a security copy made previously.

UPGRADING FROM ARCHIWARE P4
Note: Please refer to “Which versions can directly update to Version 5.6?" described in point 2.
Support for PresSTORE 4 (P4) backup and archive indexes is discontinued in P5 version 5.6 and later.
Since the introduction of P5 (Q2/2013), the following options have been available:
  • Archive indexes: Could be converted to the new index format of P5
  • Backup indexes: Were available for a limited period of time to allow to restore data

For more details, please refer to the P5 Upgrade Guide.

Upgrading from Archiware P4

Files stored with P4 can be restored through P5, but only with reduced functionality and without search capabilities.

P5 Backup: After having upgraded to P5 Backup, a full backup run is required.
Please be sure to schedule backup time and capacity accordingly.

P5 Archive: P5 Archive requires a conversion of the P4 archive index. To do so, each archive index has to be converted within the administration section of P5. Depending on the size of the index as well as computing power, this process can take anything between minutes and hours.

For more details, please read the P5 Upgrade Guide.

Downloads

ARCHIWARE P5 Version 5.6.6 - Server & Client
ARCHIWARE P5 Version 5.6.6 - Client only!

Add-ons

P5 COMPATIBLE PRODUCTS

P5 Version Archive

Version 7.1

Information and Downloads for Version 7.1

Version 7.0

Information and Downloads for Version 7.0

Version 6.1

Information and Downloads for Version 6.1

Version 6.0

Information and Downloads for Version 6.0

Version 5.6

Information and Downloads for Version 5.6

Version 5.5

Information and Downloads for Version 5.5

Version 5.4

Information and Downloads for Version 5.4

Version 5.3

Information and Downloads for P5 Version 5.3

Version 5.2

Information and Downloads for P5 Version 5.2

Version 5.1

Information and Downloads for P5 Version 5.1

Version 5.0

Version 5.0 is no longer available.
It has been replaced by compulsory upgrade Version 5.1 which is identical in functionality.

Version 4.4

Information and Downloads for PresSTORE P4 Version 4.4