PowerFolder Server 8

Owned by Florian Lahr (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Dec 17, 2013
3 min read

PowerFolder Server 8 Release Notes

Release date: November 2012

Build number: 8.0.15

 

Important Notes about the PowerFolder Server 8.x Release

Improved Linux start/stop script

Since the release of PowerFolder Server 8.x we are providing a new start/stop script for PowerFolder Server, which has been improved and renamed PowerFolder-Server.sh.

The new script PowerFolder-Server.sh is delivered with the installation packages as well as provided online here.

To migrate to the new script, please copy it in the same location as the old one and adapt the following variables inside of it:

  • POWERFOLDER_INSTALL - Set this one to the pathname where the PowerFolder-Server.jar resides, e.g. /home/<username>/powerfolder
  • POWERFOLDER_HOME - Change this only, if you changed the location of the .PowerFolder with the -Duser.home variable. By default this directory is located directly under the home directory of the user, who runs PowerFolder Server. It includes encryption keys and the internal database (if no external one was used). Most users don't need to change this. It is only required, when running multiple instances with the same user.
  • JAVA_MEM - Change this only, if you applied changes to the Java VM's memory limits before.

Improved web skin

Since the release of PowerFolder Server 8.x we implemented a change in the default skin, which is now optimized for widescreen usage. Of course it also supports classic monitors, which only support 4:3 screen sizes as it's resizing automatically.

  • Users of the standard skin don't need to change anything as the server automatically applies necessary updates. If you encounter any problems, try to empty your browser's cache first or try to hit Shift+F5 when being on the site which looks strange.
  • Users of a custom self-made skin can most likely still use their skin. If you want to use the wide-screen skin, please take the widescreen skin and change it to your needs.
  • Users of branded skins can continue to use their skin. As of now most of those skins work still properly, maybe with a few exceptions where some boxes are slightly moved to the wrong position. If it doesn't work for you, contact our support and we will fix your current skin.

 

PowerFolder Server 8 Changelog

New Features

  • Dynamic scalability / High-availability enhancements / Load-balancing enhancements / Server maintenance mode
  • Enhanced public folder/file sharing using obfuscated links with expiration options
  • Overview of servers in a cluster scenario
  • Automatic log file rotation
  • Shibboleth authentication

Improvements

  • Auto-setup server maintenance folder in cluster scenarios
  • Client license flatrate logic improvements
  • Reworked folder members tab
  • SMTP server password is now stored obfuscated
  • Colors of branded web skins now automatically get loaded when changing skins
  • Global cluster server settings
  • Hide advertisement popups when server is running with a full license
  • Reworked web server error pages
  • Improved invitation sending
  • Instant change detection support on 64-bit linux systems
  • Using WebStart from local server doesn't ask for server URL anymore
  • Command line option to set server hostname and port
  • Command line option to load server configuration from URL
  • Respect extended security permissions in the web interface
  • getLoginURL API call does not require admin permission anymore
  • Enhanced public file/directory sharing with options to get an obfuscated link and setting expiration dates
  • Removed PowerFolder_Console.bat file to avoid duplicated configuration files
  • Allow admins to choose a storage directory path during folder creation
  • Added license file upload for offline file activation to user account editor
  • Saving changes in the server preferences doesn't invoke a redirect to the dashboard anymore
  • Query list of existing accounts / multiple users via getAccounts API call
  • Create and remove folder permission enabled by default when using Extended Security Control
  • Reduced CPU usage and load on hosts and database systems
  • Several performance improvements and optimizations
  • Disallow admin password changes via the accounts overview/editor
  • Improved web texts and translations
  • Send/push config to client via API
  • Improved recovery when folder storage paths were disconnected
  • Added additional information field on the login page
  • New full-screen width skin
  • Deleting devices removes the licenses attached to them
  • Admin account not required to be a valid RADIUS account
  • Improved data transfer speed

Bugfixes

  • Computers list doesn't show any icons in Internet Explorer 9
  • Licensing engine optimizations and enhancements
  • Removal of empty directory structures generates unable to delete folder locally message
  • Error when moving a file to the archive
  • Wrong sync percentage in device overview
  • Ignore trial licenses if user account is a non-trial account
  • JNotify update breaks GLIBC dependency
  • Proper UTF-8 encoding in API responses
  • Allow admin login when LDAP settings are incorrect
  • Duplicate entries in folder search results