Skip to main content

DW Spectrum Server (6.0) Replacement Procedure

Updated

Technical Bulletin

To: DW Spectrum System Administrators

Date: October 31, 2025

Re: Server Replacement Process Announcement

DW Spectrum Server Replacement Process Announcement

-----------------------------------

Affected Software: DW Spectrum Professional, DW Spectrum Mobile

Software Version: DW Spectrum Server 5.0 and older

Release Date: October 31, 2025

-----------------------------------

 

DW Cloud and Mobile App Support Ending

Upon the release of DW Spectrum Mobile version 25.2.0.41708, DW Cloud connection support for DW Spectrum Servers using software version 4.2 is no longer available. Additionally, all versions of DW Spectrum 5.0 and older are expected to lose all DW Cloud support with the upcoming release of DW Spectrum software version 6.1.

This article will outline preparatory action that system administrators can take for this ongoing transition.

 

Supported/Affected Devices

  • DW Blackjack Servers
    • Windows 7 (DW Spectrum 4.2, 5.0)
    • Ubuntu 16.04 (DW Spectrum 5.0)

 

Operating System & Server Version Compatibility

To maintain mobile application support and DW Cloud access, users are advised to upgrade their server operating systems or to replace their server with updated DW Blackjack models. However, the standard server replacement process cannot always be performed due to the following:

  • A server database backup was created using a major release version of DW Spectrum 4.2.x.x or 5.0.x.x and can only be used with a DW Spectrum Server that is using the same version build.
  • Depending on the version of DW Spectrum and the operating system of the server hardware, there may be limitations to the newest version that the old server can be updated to. Likewise, there are limitations to the oldest version that newer servers can support.

Because of these variables, the process of moving the database from one server to another may result in failure to transfer.

 

**NOTE: To upgrade/replace your DW Blackjack hardware, you can contact your local Digital Watchdog dealer or alarm installation company.

 

Upgrade or Replace Servers

To maintain mobile application support and DW Cloud support, DW Spectrum Servers must be updated to use software version 5.1 or newer.

If access using the DW Spectrum Mobile application is imperative, it is important that you upgrade your DW Spectrum Server to version 6.0 or newer.

 

**NOTE: Changes to the DW Spectrum Mobile application do not affect your DW Spectrum Server’s ability to function or record as an isolated system. Upgrading or replacing your equipment is not a critical priority if DW Spectrum Mobile or DW Cloud is not used by your system.

 

Server Upgrade

Depending on the DW Blackjack Server model and generation, the unit may be eligible for an operating system upgrade.

  • Windows 7 à Windows 10 IoT LTSC
  • Ubuntu 16.04 à Ubuntu 18.04

An RMA form can be submitted to request an OS upgrade for your server. The RMA department will determine your server’s eligibility for an upgrade, the cost, and the process to do so.

 

Considerations Before Upgrading

  • If using Windows OS: consider the age of the unit. A WinOS upgrade will change the hardware ID of the DW Spectrum Server, which will require the deactivation and reactivation of recording licenses to remain operational. In the event where server hardware has failed due to age, the server would need to be replaced, which would require a second deactivation of licenses as part of the replacement process.
  • If using Linux OS: consider the operating system version. The hardware that is used for servers running Ubuntu 16.04 can be considered stable for use with Ubuntu 18.04. However, DW Spectrum 6.0 is the last version of the software that will support Ubuntu 18.04.

 

Server Replacement

Replacing a recording server with an updated model can have substantial benefits to system longevity and support access for your DW Spectrum System. However, it may not always be a feasible solution for every customer. It is recommended to contact your local sales representative if you are unsure if your sever should be upgraded or replaced.

 

Operating System & DW Spectrum Compatibility for Database Restoration

The following list is to provide details on the operating system that can accept the database backup from older software versions, while also capable of using the current DW Spectrum software version (6.0).

 

Windows 7 (v4.2 highest)

Windows 10: v4.2 – v6.0

Windows Server 2016: v4.2 – v6.0

Windows Server 2019: v4.2 – v6.0

 

Ubuntu 16.0x (v5.0 highest)

Ubuntu 18.04: v4.2 – v6.0

Ubuntu 20.04: v4.2 – v6.0

 

Single Server Replacement Procedure

Upgrade Package (Win7 à Win10 | 16.04 à 18.04)

If you choose to upgrade the current server’s operating system, you can follow the standard server replacement procedure. The newer operating system can still support older versions of DW Spectrum, as well as up to the current release version (v6.0).

 

Server Replacement

If the server is to be replaced or upgraded to a new operating system version that does not support a version of DW Spectrum that needs to be restored from a database backup, the procedure is as follows:

Pre-Replacement

  1. Access the original server as the system administrator (admin).
  2. Create a database backup and license export list.
  3. Review your user role configurations, notating and taking screenshots of the information to reference for later.
  4. Using the desktop client, right-click on the Server in the Resource Tree panel and select “Camera List by Server”. Highlight all cameras then right-click and create an export of the camera list.
  5. Save all backups, files, and other documentation to an external storage option (e.g., USB drive, cloud storage, etc.).
  6. Deactivate recording licenses from the original DW Spectrum Server.

 

Post-Replacement

  1. Set up the replacement server as a new system and update to the newest version of DW Spectrum available.
  2. Refer to your documentation made from Steps 3 – 5, then recreate the system.
  3. Once the new system has been re-configured, create a database backup for the mitigation and preparation for unforeseen system failures.

 

Server Replacement in a Merged Environment Procedure

Scenario: Other Servers on Merge Can Be Updated

As an example, consider scenario where a merged system that is planned to be updated to DW Spectrum version 6.0 has:

  • One (1) server running Windows 10 | DW Spectrum v4.2
  • One (1) server running Windows 7 | DW Spectrum v4.2

In this example, the Windows 7 server will need its operating system be updated to Windows 10 before it supports DW Spectrum version 6.0. Since the system is being updated across several major release versions, you would perform the following process.

Pre-Replacement

  1. Access the original server as the system administrator (admin).
  2. Create a database backup and license export list.
  3. Deactivate recording licenses from the original DW Spectrum Server.
  4. Power off and disconnect the Windows 7 server form the network.

 

Existing Server Preparation

At this point, you will want to access the Windows 10 server and perform the following:

  1. Download DW Spectrum Client and Server versions 5.0, 5.1, and 6.0.
  2. Install 5.0 and create a database backup.
  3. Then install 5.1 and create a database backup.
  4. Finish by installing 6.0 and create another database backup .

 

New Server Configuration

After connecting the replacement/new server hardware to the network:

  1. Power on and create a new system on the replacement server.
  2. Update the software to match the version of the server that remains within the merged system.
  3. Proceed with the server replacement (merge) process.
  4. Activate licenses on the replacement server as necessary.
  5. Create a database backup as the final version.

 

Scenario: No Servers on the Merge can Update

If there is a system merge where none of the servers can update to current versions of Spectrum, then the database has no means to carry to newer versions.

Each server in the merged system would require the steps under Single Server Replacement Procedure > Server Replacement, followed by a complete system rebuild.

 

______________________________________________________________________________

For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: sales@digital-watchdog.com | www.digital-watchdog.com

Rev: 06/25                              Copyright © DW. All rights reserved. Specifications and pricing subject to change without notice.                            

Related articles