Feedback about updating to 2.1.0.2

[odysseus]

This isn’t exactly a support request (I managed to resolve the issue on my own), but it was rough enough of a transition that I figured it was worth saying something about it.

• Saw the “manual update required” popup when running backups today. After they had completed I went to the download page and manually installed the .deb files
• Access page immediately went “not logged in” and asked for a password that I had never set. I tried every password I could think of but none of them worked
• Went back to the “home” page and it mentioned a TrayIcon app (which I don’t have)
• Checked the logs and saw a login link to click on. It didn’t work (“Can’t log in”), logs showed “missing cookie” (which I’m thinking is a red herring)
• Googled the issue, found this support site. Ended up editing /etc/default/duplicati to set a password, restarted the service, logged in, edited the same file to remove the password, restarted the service, confirmed I am still logged in.

Back up and running at about where I was before, but jeez that was a rough upgrade…

[vbs]

Same here: upgraded to 2.1.0.2 and suddenly I am prompted to login via password. I don’t know a password and there was no information during the upgrade.
Still figuring out what I can do. I am on Windows.

[odysseus]

Well the only thing I can suggest right now is to try to launch Duplicati once with a commandline parameter of --webservice-password=<new password> to set a password

[vbs]

I tried again opening the UI via the TrayIcon and this time I got logged in with a temporary password and I was prompted to set a new one.

Also, I have a docker instance and I started it manually and there was a link displayed in the stdout that allowed me to set a password.

[rlw1138]

Same happened here as happened to OP. I have never had any sort of problem with Duplicati before.

I wasn’t too bothered by it…didn’t feel like finding a “fix” so I clobbered the whole thing, and started over from scratch with a fresh install. (it’s just me and my files over here!) Took less than 2 hours, starting from zero.

A better “how to upgrade, oh, and by the way…” doc would have been nice…the part about “use the TrayIcon to access your stuff now” should be front-and-center in a large red flashing headline.

[ts678]

@rlw1138

I have never had any sort of problem with Duplicati before.

This release had lots of changes. The release note describes:

@kenkendk

Unlike previoius builds, this one has a major change in the build system, so it now runs on .NET8.
The builds are self-contained so Mono or .NET installations are not required to install.
Automatic updating to this version is not supported.

Important changes from last Beta

• Updated to .NET8 with OS specific builds
• Using Kestrel as the API/UI server
• Mandatory password and new authentication scheme for server
• Settings database version updated to v8
• Backup database updated to v13

@kenkendk

It is generally safe to update, and the process is meant to be seamless with no manual steps required. This update is slightly special in that it adds a mandatory API password. If you are not using Duplicati with the TrayIcon launcher, you need to set up a password (if you have not already).

IMO (and per feedback) the “slightly special” understates the impact of the new password need. Those using TrayIcon have a somewhat easier time but are probably puzzled by new breakage.

Added help button to login #5839

Added a help button to the connection dialog.
Added a help link to the login dialog.
Added a help link to the signin dialog.

just went in for next Canary (and eventually Beta and beyond), and may help the situation some.

Duplicati Access Password (various sections) is what the new help links look like they will link to.

@rlw1138

use the TrayIcon to access your stuff now

Not quite so, but it’s the alternative if you have not yet set up a password, and have no desire to.

@rlw1138

should be front-and-center in a large red flashing headline.

Where? People may miss the release notice (see quote above) and also the manual (see links).
Installer can’t do it. Download page can be bypassed by download link from a previous release.

I suppose one answer might be “everywhere possible”, but at least soon it’s nearby for upgrade.

[odysseus]

Well, I kinda figured something weird was going on that this was a manual-only upgrade and not a silent update like the previous ones…

[kenkendk]

@odysseus

I figured it was worth saying something about it.

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!

@rlw1138

A better “how to upgrade, oh, and by the way…” doc would have been nice…the part about “use the TrayIcon to access your stuff now” should be front-and-center in a large red flashing headline.

I have put in a small animation that explains it:

Duplicati Access Password | Duplicati

As @ts678 we added a “Help” button and some more links to the next release.

@odysseus

Well, I kinda figured something weird was going on that this was a manual-only upgrade and not a silent update like the previous ones…

For now, the idea is to go without silent updates. Later, I hope to add back some smooth auto-update support.

The non-admin updates generally worked, but there were lots of quirks. Especially for sysadmins who could not really see what versions were running by looking at the package managers.

[odysseus]

A reminder, linux people don’t get the tray icon, and to get the logs for system services the command is sudo journalctl --unit=duplicati

[ts678]

@odysseus

A reminder, linux people don’t get the tray icon

They do if they start it. TrayIcon is duplicati and is often in /usr/bin. Maybe in app menu too.
Many Linux users might use the systemd Server version though. Windows is sort of reversed.
Installer only does TrayIcon. Getting a WindowsService server install takes more manual work.
It’s possible that Linux people don’t use the tray icon much, but I don’t know if statistics exist…