HS3 to HS4 upgrade and Upgrading HomeTroller SEL at the same time

[jashie73]

I was noticing HS4 is coming soon... I still have the original installation (Linux hometrollerSEL 3.16.0-031600-generic).

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 14.04.6 LTS
Release: 14.04
Codename: trusty

When HS4 comes out, is this a good opportunity to upgrade our Linux boxes as well to the latest version of Ubuntu (18.04 possibly)?
Maybe the better questions is how hard is it to upgrade Ubuntu and can it be done anytime?
Does upgrading wipe everything out... forcing a full rebuild and re-installation of HS3?
Or if it isn't broken don't fix it...

[bsobel]

You are on a 32 bit unsupported OS and an unsupported version of Mono. Many plugins require updated Mono to work. My suggestion is backup HS and install the 64 bit version of Ubuntu 18.04lts. Restore HS. You’ll need to set it up as a service. If you search the forum there are directions you can follow. Then upgrade to hs4 from that base.

[jashie73]

You mention that plugins require updated Mono to work; do you know if the 64 bit version includes the updated Mono or better yet, the plugins work?
Long story short... is it worth updating Ubuntu or leave things as-is?
Because I'm not too Linux savvy, I was going to set up a test box but I have to find a box to format.

[bsobel]

Yes it includes an updated mono. They are on 6.x currently. Is it worth it? To me just got security fixed it’s worth it.

[emiliosic]

I'm running Debian 9 on a virtual machine. Makes upgrades and backups easier. (The host is CentOS 7 and using KVM / virsh for virtualization).
Suggestion: It would be simpler to have HS3 as a docker container? (plugins, logs, etc residing in a separate volume).

[concordseer]

I was noticing HS4 is coming soon... I still have the original installation (Linux hometrollerSEL 3.16.0-031600-generic).

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 14.04.6 LTS
Release: 14.04
Codename: trusty

When HS4 comes out, is this a good opportunity to upgrade our Linux boxes as well to the latest version of Ubuntu (18.04 possibly)?
Maybe the better questions is how hard is it to upgrade Ubuntu and can it be done anytime?
Does upgrading wipe everything out... forcing a full rebuild and re-installation of HS3?
Or if it isn't broken don't fix it...

Its not broken but it's no longer getting updates. Your 5 year LTS has expired. Best if you back your HS up, do a fresh install of 18.04 LTS and restore your backup.

[jashie73]

Since the OS is being blown up... Is there any advantage to installing Windows 7 or 10 and abandon Ubuntu entirely? I bought the Linux version of HomeTroller SEL because I figured Linux based OS would be more stable and regularly updated with no issues. Granted, I haven't had any issues with Linux (that I know of). Does anyone know if HS3 runs smoother on Windows? I doubt anyone can answer this part of the question but do we suspect HS4 will run better on Windows or Linux?
This may be a question for Homeseer but does anyone know if my existing HS3 License can be used on either a Windows installation or Ubuntu Installation? Obviously only one active installation at a time.
I suppose if I'm going to all this effort and the end goal is supporting HS4 for the next several years, is it better to rebuild or start rebuilding with Linux or Windows in mind.

[Chris854]

Since the OS is being blown up... Is there any advantage to installing Windows 7 or 10 and abandon Ubuntu entirely?

I say stick with Linux. Pick the latest LTS release of Ubuntu.
Main reason is on Windows, once or twice a year there is a major feature release which often breaks things. And since this is a server, a device you're not using for day to day activity, there's little benefit to running Windows.

Licenses, as of HS3 at least, are per edition not per OS. So a license for HS3 standard would work on Windows or Linux. Just remember if you are going to upgrade, it's a good idea to 1. make a full image backup of your HS3 machine hard drive, and 2. release your HS3 license before you wipe the machine and install latest Ubuntu.

[concordseer]

There’s a dreaded fear of moving to Linux expressed by a number of stalwart Windows users. Understandable considering that HS3 is a Windows based application which has the ability to function in the Linux environment with the help of Xamarin’s Mono.

Mono has matured a lot over the last number of years to such an extent it is getting difficult to tell the difference between the Windows and Linux environments performance wise. In fact I’d say the Linux version of HS3 has edged ahead slightly.

I’d advise plugin developers whose plugins have not been adapted to run in Linux to hop on board before they get left behind.

The Linux option allows you to run HS3 on the desktop pc or the many single board computers appearing in the market place. Of course with the release of a 4gb 1.7ghz Raspberry Pi 4 you can now see a convergence between the two and Linux will happily perform on either.

The choice is a completely personal one as far as I can see.

[misraels]

Definitely would not go Windows 7, but I'd choose Windows or Linux based on your comfort level with them. I've been running on Windows for years and years...have never seen a release or major update break things yet...dont think i've crashed or had an issue in the last couple years.