Upgraded - USB key now 'blacklisted'

[JB7334 0]

Upgraded today to v6.6.1  On 2x Unraid servers (2 separate licenses).

 

My unraid backup server uses a USB flash plugged into the back and that upgraded OK. 

 

However, my main Unraid server uses a microSD card inside an adapter, inside a USB card reader which is on a mini USB cable to a motherboard socket. Yes, a bit convoluted, but all I had at the time.  That has since become 'blacklisted'. I tried rebooting and adding in the https:// keygen link for the GUID I purchased against, but too late - it is blacklisted. The unraid GUI says this can sometimes happen if you use 'card readers'  :-(    So I guess I will need to order a new USB key with a new GUID and then somehow, request a new keyfile?  (with receipts and proof?)

[itimpi 492]

When you have the replacement USB key you can email Limetech giving the relevant details and that should get you a replacement key file linked to the GUID of the new USB drive.   Note that when replacing the USB drive it tends to be better to get a USB2 one as they are more reliable, and performance is not a key factor with Unraid as after initial load it runs from RAM.

[Hoopster 275]

19 minutes ago, JB7334 said:

Upgraded today to v6.6.1  On 2x Unraid servers (2 separate licenses).

 

My unraid backup server uses a USB flash plugged into the back and that upgraded OK. 

 

However, my main Unraid server uses a microSD card inside an adapter, inside a USB card reader which is on a mini USB cable to a motherboard socket. Yes, a bit convoluted, but all I had at the time.  That has since become 'blacklisted'. I tried rebooting and adding in the https:// keygen link for the GUID I purchased against, but too late - it is blacklisted. The unraid GUI says this can sometimes happen if you use 'card readers'  😞   So I guess I will need to order a new USB key with a new GUID and then somehow, request a new keyfile?  (with receipts and proof?)

 

I don't connect the USB card reader to a motherboard USB port (not that that should matter), but, both my servers use USB card readers with microSD cards in SD adapters.  They are both Kingston MobileLite readers (one G2 - USB2 and one G3 - USB3).  Both upgraded to version 6.6.x without issue.  They do appear to have unique GUIDs.  Perhaps, it turns out your does not and it was not detected until someone tried to register with the same GUID?

 

Out of curiosity, what card reader are you using?

Edited October 1, 2018 by Hoopster

[JB7334 0]

Thanks for your reply..  Just found a Sancruzer 8gb USB2 (4GB's are hard to find these days). Should arrive tomorrow and then I can email limetech them for a replacement key. 

[JB7334 0]

I was using those popular WHITE INTERGRAL Keys with the side-loaded sd Kingston card adapter.  I didn't know serials could clash in this world; thinking every unit was unique. But having stop and started the array back in June with no problems, someone, somewhere in the world must have the same serial since June. 😞

[Hoopster 275]

24 minutes ago, JB7334 said:

I was using those popular WHITE INTERGRAL Keys with the side-loaded sd Kingston card adapter.  I didn't know serials could clash in this world; thinking every unit was unique. But having stop and started the array back in June with no problems, someone, somewhere in the world must have the same serial since June. 😞

 

The Kingston MobileLite G4 (latest version) does not have a unique GUID and many other brands of card readers also do not have unique hardware GUIDs, especially generic brands.  Fortunately, the G2 and G3 do and I was able to snag some before they went out of production.  I found a spare on eBay a few months ago, just in case.  I like being able to replace the card for testing different configs and troubleshooting while retaining the license tied to the reader.

 

Definitely appears your reader did not have a unique GUID, but, you "got away with it" for a while 😀.

Edited October 1, 2018 by Hoopster

[JB7334 0]

Thanks for reply. I stayed away from USB3 and the lastest ones.  Unfortunately, it appears the replacement key (with the old USB files and keyfile won't replace an already blacklisted key (which I didn't know). So waiting for support to reply over the next 3 days. I am living off backups and cloud for now and all my phones waiting for nextcloud docker to be back online 😞

[zyrmpg 0]

Did you ever get this resolved? I'm facing a similar issue upgrading 6.3.5 to 6.5.3 with a regular usb2.0 flash drive.

[jonathanm 694]

2 hours ago, zyrmpg said:

Did you ever get this resolved? I'm facing a similar issue upgrading 6.3.5 to 6.5.3 with a regular usb2.0 flash drive.

This can not be resolved here on the the forum, you must email support.

support@lime-technology.com

[itimpi 492]

There is no solution other than to get a new USB drive that has a unique GUID and transfer the license to that.   Not sure exactly what make/model your current drive is but it must be one where the manufacturer decided to save money and has not bothered to give each drive a unique GUID.

[zyrmpg 0]

@jonathanm 

Thanks, I've submitted a support request earlier today. Hopefully, they'll get back to me soon.

 

@itimpi

I don't have it in front of me, but I'll see what I can find out about the GUID tomorrow. I'm sure I didn't use some freebie flash drive, but I'm even more sure of the integrity of the license, so who knows. I'll find out when I hear back from LT. At least I know the important stuff is backed up elsewhere.

 

Although, it's cost me so much time and stress that I'm starting to question if unraid really qualifies as a layer of a reliable 3-2-1 backup plan. Maybe it's not really best used as backup, kinda like what they say about... raid. Seems a lot of people use it to containerize their entertainment servers with some unique backup side perks. That's what it turned into for me, which apparently compromised my original intent. 

[itimpi 492]

6 minutes ago, zyrmpg said:

I don't have it in front of me, but I'll see what I can find out about the GUID tomorrow. I'm sure I didn't use some freebie flash drive, but I'm even more sure of the integrity of the license, so who knows. I'll find out when I hear back from LT. At least I know the important stuff is backed up elsewhere.

I would think that the license will be valid, but it will not work on a drive that is blacklisted.  This can happen on any drive where the manufacturer does not give each drive they make a unique GUID.   New Unraid releases will have updated lists of such drives which is why it can come up as a result of an upgrade.

 

You can always downgrade to a release that is earlier than when the drive became blacklisted and the license will work again.     The alternative is to get a new USB drive that DOES have a unique GUID and transfer the license to it (you can use the automated process for doing this once a year without needing to contact Limetech).   If looking for a new USB drive then a USB2 drive is recommended as being more reliable than a USB3 one (and since Unraid runs from RAM you do not need USB3 performance)

[zyrmpg 0]

Procedures for both options look fairly quick and straightforward. I'll give em a shot if they don't get back to me tomorrow. Any precautions or pit falls I would be aware of. I seem to be very competent at making this kind of thing worse.

Edited August 14 by zyrmpg

[zyrmpg 0]

So I got a very quick response and turns out they blacklisted due to some kind of payment mishap when the original order was made. Unusual, as its been in use for 2 years now and I wasn't aware of the issue. I'm still looking into it but it doesn't appear to be a technical issue but thanks for the suggestions.

[mrbilky 16]

On 10/1/2018 at 12:07 PM, Hoopster said:

 

The Kingston MobileLite G4 (latest version) does not have a unique GUID and many other brands of card readers also do not have unique hardware GUIDs, especially generic brands.  Fortunately, the G2 and G3 do and I was able to snag some before they went out of production.  I found a spare on eBay a few months ago, just in case.  I like being able to replace the card for testing different configs and troubleshooting while retaining the license tied to the reader.

 

Definitely appears your reader did not have a unique GUID, but, you "got away with it" for a while 😀.

interesting so am I understanding this right that the MobileLite itself has the id so therefore you could change the micro sd card at any time without unRAID even blinking? I have the MobileLite G2 and haven't really found a use for it

[itimpi 492]

16 minutes ago, mrbilky said:

interesting so am I understanding this right that the MobileLite itself has the id so therefore you could change the micro sd card at any time without unRAID even blinking? I have the MobileLite G2 and haven't really found a use for it

Yes.   If the micro SD fails change it for another one and the license stays valid.   It is only if the reader itself fails that you have a problem.

[Hoopster 275]

1 hour ago, mrbilky said:

interesting so am I understanding this right that the MobileLite itself has the id so therefore you could change the micro sd card at any time without unRAID even blinking?

Yes, this is correct.  The GUID is associated with the MobilLite reader.  Swap cards to your heart's content and the license remains intact as long as you include the unRAID license file on the new card.

[mrbilky 16]

2 hours ago, Hoopster said:

Yes, this is correct.  The GUID is associated with the MobilLite reader.  Swap cards to your heart's content and the license remains intact as long as you include the unRAID license file on the new card.

 

3 hours ago, itimpi said:

Yes.   If the micro SD fails change it for another one and the license stays valid.   It is only if the reader itself fails that you have a problem.

Wow nice thanks for sharing that!