Which Image Media Does My Unitrends Appliance Use?

SUMMARY

This article covers the different generations of Unitrends Appliances and which of those can support which which specific imaging media to reinstall the currently supported factory image for that model.

ISSUE

Unitrends has releases many generations of models over its hardware history, and these models and systems, though most do support the current software releases, differ in feature specific support and hardware options, so the OS imaging media used for these appliances is periodically changed.  

In past years, specific image media by generation was used, and knowing the proper imaging media to use for a given appliance was somewhat complicated to determine.  

The latest generation 8, 9 and Unitrends MAX systems support CentOS 7. Some legacy appliance also support CentOS 7 but some older appliances are limited to CentOS 6. It is important to image your unit properly with the correct ISO/USB media should you need to re-image as part of a support interaction, or simply by choice to re-implement a solution or change a deployed systems role. 

This article will clarify Unitrends logical generation gaps and the appropriate image media for each of these systems.  

RESOLUTION

Based on the appliance generation (see Notes below for details), and with your asset tag in hand, use the chart below to identify which image media you require.  Once you identify this media, you can download it from the appropriate link.

Within this table "Series" Identifies any model starting with the first octet indicated.  If a model is followed by additional digits, then you must identify the correct series of digits in your asset tag such to correctly confirm the required image media to use.  Within the current 10.0+ image media, the current generations supported by that media are itemized in a list.  locate your asset within the correct menu as designated by the generations noted here.   An "X" indicates that media supports the referenced model and can be used.  The most recent media your model supports should always be used. 

For instructions for how to use the imaging media and which method, USB or DVD is best suited, follow How to reimage a Unitrends appliance.
 

Need a specific release not posted here, check here first.

TASKS

Reference KB 6058 for the specific imaging process to use based on the required media.  

NOTES

Physical assets sold by Unitrends are currently identified by an asset string.  For the prior 7+ years, the format of this string has been XXX(S)-XXX-XXXXX.  In July 2018 this model was changed to use capacity in the model numbering.  

Generation MAX Numbering:  UMSPX-XXX-XXXXX
The UMSP designation identified the half-rack Unitrends MAX hardware line used with MSPs.  This line features small form factor systems that feature Xeon class hardware and SSD supported IO subsystems and substantially more RAM in order to support larger on-host Windows Replicas and Instant Recovery operations that can otherwise be sustained on Generation 8 half-rack appliances while also retaining that form factor and low price point compared to Gen 8 1U and 2U systems of similar power.  These systems come in 2, 4, and 8TB raw capacities only at this time, for example a UMSP8 is an 8TB unit.  

Generation 9 and 8 numbering: GXXX(S)-XXX-XXXXX
The first digit (G) defines this platform as generation 8 or 9.  The following 3 digits are the appliance RAW array capacity.  For example a Generation 8 system with 4X4TB drives, discounting one as raid parity has 12TB RAW capacity, so the model would be 8012-XXX-XXXXX.  This is a change since Generations prior.  Additional digits follow the older modeling convention defined below. 

Generation 7 and older numbering: XXX(S)-XXX-XXXXX
The first 3 digits (and potentially an "S") determine the chassis class, and include information to help identify some platform features, capacity of unit, and base performance tier.  This is the primary model line number as would be seen in marketing materials.  The next 3 digits after the first dash are model hardware variances within the line.  Changes to the first digit often indicate generational change (though not always uniform in history), and other digits may indicate minor changes to chosen manufacturer or internal parts like memory or drive systems, or the inclusion or lack of certain internal cards, as these specs may need to be changed slightly over time due to component availability.  The final digits are a code number to relate to specific build orders at manufacturing and are what separates your particular model from another customer's identical model in our record systems.    

To image your system, knowing the first 2 digit sets (XXXS-XXX) may be necessary for some models, while knowing the current 3 digits alone is good enough for many others.  Our current image media divides systems into Generation 8, 7, 6, and Legacy, so this information will help you understand what those divisions are.  

Unitrends in the past has not placed a specific effort to separate one generation from another logically. more recently, we've been making clearer divides between system generations.  We have decided to finally change this with Generation 8 forward making the future easier but knowing the older generation designations is still required.  Below we'll discuss the basic tenants of how we have "logically" defined which systems are part of which generational divides.  The generation terminology is unofficial, and more normally coincides with basic manufacturing revamp efforts necessary over time as parts go end of life, but in some cases major design differentiation has been made to some models.  We'll now explain this logic.  "Generation' does not necessarily imply all systems grouped together were released at the same time, it's more a designation of the potential for support of modern features in use today.  

"Generation 9" is Unitrends latest hardware generation released in Q4 2020.  Generation 9 is designated by a 4-digit first octet with the first digit an 9.  (an "S" if present is not counted as one of these 4 digits).  These systems are shipped with CentOS 7 only.  These units mark a shift from SuperMicro OEM configurations to Dell OEM configurations to improve Unitrends ability to deliver warranty parts worldwide quicker.  

"Generation MSP" also referred to as Generation MAX, is the UMSP MAX line released in Late 2018.  The MAX line is not included in recent CentOS 7 image media and no longer requires it's own media.  The MAX line is noted for having substantially more resource and performance compared to other similar half-rack units to be leveraged for on-host recovery needs while maintaining small capacity designations.  
 
"Generation 8" continues to be sold and will be expected to be leveraged for warranty replacements for Gen 8 and older units through most of 2021.  Generation 8 is designated by a 4-digit first octet with the first digit an 8.  (an "S" if present is not counted as one of these 4 digits).  This system may have shipped with either CentOS 6 or Cent OS 7 depending on date of manufacture, but all of these machines support the current CentOS 7 image media today, and if necessary to re-image, should use it.  

"Generation 7" is the prior produced and advertised line.  However, this also includes some few systems prior a part of generation 6 that were fundamentally unchanged when the shift was made.  These systems will typically have a 7 after the first dash as XXX(S)-7XX, but there are a few models from generation 6 that were unchanged and are still offered once generation 7 launched so a 6 may also be found here for some models.  Model line simplification and a movement to larger capacity drives was also part of this shift.  This platform only supports CentOS 6.  

"Generation 6" was the introduction of our "S" series or Nextgen line.  These systems in most full-rack and all 2U and larger designations include SSD front-ended hardware or software array cache drives for improved IO performance necessary to properly support inline deduplication and other advanced software features.  Lower end models including half-rack units and our remaining desktop class chassis did not gain the "S" feature.  This platform supports Cent OS 6.

"Generation 5" began Unitrends deployment of Cent OS 6 operating system, but older units in this same generation may have shipped with CentOS 5.  All support Cent OS 6.  This "generation" includes models from several years over time as the line evolved.  We refer to this as the "Legacy" generation, though we do have many even older systems.  Most models in this line do not support inline deduplication, but some of the later sold models in mid to late 2016 do have that option.  

"Generation 4" are yet older systems that were never initially supported on CentOS 6 are had been out of production for some time prior to us beginning to offer the OS migration option.  These systems support 64bit hardware (with one exception), and have the requirements to support CentOS 6 and our current release, but cannot be directly imaged with the current media.  Generation 4 systems require imaging with older CentOS 5 media, followed by upgrade cycles to the last CentOS 5 release (9.1.1-3), after which migration to CentOS 6 can be done with the help of Unitrends Support, and finally be updated to the current release.  With the release of CentOS 7 support planned for later 2018/early 2019 these units will stop receiving software releases!  If you have one of these units, you should be seeking to replace it before the end of the year to ensure you have the latest software available.  

Legacy DPU Series includes older systems are models that are either 32-bit and cannot support CentOS 6, or predate our current image support systems.  Some of these models were the first to use our current asset tag scheme, and older Gen 1 and 2 models used a completely different model.  These models are effectively end of life (though some may still be covered under extended support), and cannot be updated past release 9.1.1-3, some models cannot update past release 6.4.  If you have a model older than generation 4, please contact our sales team or your reseller immediately to replace these units.