How does Enable automatic client updates work?

Owned by Brian Rinebarger
Last updated: Oct 10, 2024 by Andrew Parlette
2 min read

ScrewDrivers v7 Essentials and ScrewDrivers v6 Server both support auto-updates for clients. This process will check the version of the client and the server during the initial connection process. The client will download the appropriate plugin from the server, meaning that the server and client version will match for the duration of that session.

This process works when v7 Endpoint clients connect to a v7 Server, or when v6 clients connect to a v6 server. Please take note of the following details when operating in a mixed environment.

Upgrading from ScrewDrivers v6 to ScrewDrivers v7: Compatibility and Best Practices

When upgrading from ScrewDrivers v6 to v7, there are some important considerations regarding client compatibility and server upgrades. This article provides an overview of what to expect during the transition and offers best practices to ensure a smooth upgrade.

Client Compatibility and Auto-Update

One of the key points to understand is that ScrewDrivers v6 clients will not automatically update to v7 clients. There were significant reasons that necessitated the break between v6 and v7.

However, v6 clients will still connect to a v7 server, providing cross-version compatibility for ScrewDrivers clients and endpoints. This means that your v6 clients can continue to function without immediate updates even as you upgrade the server-side components.

Best Practices for Server and Client Upgrades

We always recommend that all server-side components (such as the database, license server, print server, and server/VDI agents) be upgraded to the same version. This ensures full compatibility and optimal performance of the system.

While there is flexibility in updating the client and redirected printers, it is considered a best practice to upgrade the ScrewDrivers clients to v7 as soon as possible. This will ensure maximum compatibility and access to future updates. However, please note that this is not a strict requirement for continued operation.

Compatibility Considerations

  • ScrewDrivers v7 clients do not support 32-bit operating systems. Any endpoints running a 32-bit OS will need to continue using the v6 client.

  • The client software dynamically downloads the latest DLL from the server based on its version. Specifically, a v7 client will download the v7 DLL, while a v6 client will continue to download the latest v6 DLL. Despite this, a v7 server can still accept connections from a v6 client, even those that have not received the v7 DLL.

Testing and Verification

The expectation is that environments with mixed versions should work without issues. As a best approach, we recommend setting up a base v7 configuration and running a test case with your workstations to verify the desired v6 to v7 compatibility and ensure a smooth upgrade path.

If you have additional questions or require assistance, please reach out to our support team for guidance.