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Feb 19, 2025

How to Update POR on RDS Farm Deployments 

 

Before updating Point of Rental (POR) software, ensure all prerequisites are met, including having ASP.NET Core 8.0 installed and verifying the correct folder structure for production and test instances (POR, POR99, POR98). Follow the outlined steps to stop services, clear cache folders, run update commands (NXSPRINT or CURRENT based on update type), and restart the necessary services, ensuring each instance is correctly updated. For major version updates, use the specified commands, verify database edits, and confirm system functionality through Elite Launchpad before resuming normal operations.

  

Topics included in this article

 

Prerequisites

  • ALL servers (APP and RDS) need Microsoft ASP.NET Core 8.0 installed. Below is the link to the direct download from Microsoft. o https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en us/download/dotnet/thank-you/runtimeaspnetcore-8.0.3-windows-hosting-bundle-installer 

  • The following files must be available in the local \POR\Program folder of each of the  servers in the deployment (By Default the program folder will be under the C drive  C:\POR\Program)  
    • PORFilesynch.exe (File Date 2/13/2023 at the time this process was written)
    • AWSSDK.S3.DLL (File Date 11/18/2022 at the time this process was written)
    • WSSDK.CORE.DLL (File Date 11/18/2022 at the time this process was written)
    • The above files should already be downloaded on the File/App/IIS server of the server deployment under its respective C:\POR\Program folder. If the above files  are not present on the File/App/IIS Server of the server deployment, please  contact Point of Rental support at 1-800-944-7368 or at  support@pointofrental.com 
       
  • Everyone must be out of the system while performing updates
     
  • Administrator Privileges required 
     
  • The Windows account performing this procedure MUST have access to the deployment’s main server share. This main server share is likely hosted on the APP/IIS/FILE Server of the farm deployment and shared out to the RDS/VDI/Session Hosts of the deployment via Group Policy.  
     
  • A Point of Rental Operator ID with access to the Configurations section of the application
     
  • Create the file ServerFarm.Mode and save it under C:\POR\update
    • To ensure that the file has the proper file type disable “hide known file type extensions”  from the folder options menu and/or check the “File name extensions” from the view tab  of File Explorer 

 

POR99 and POR98 Instances

For POR99 and POR98 instances, updating is the same process as the production instance EXCEPT you navigate to the correct folder structure. The upgrade commands will stay the same.  

 

POR99 FOLDER STRUCTURE  
[DriveLetter]:\POR99\USERS  


POR98 FOLDER STRUCTURE  
[DriveLetter]:\POR98\USERS  

 

Procedure

The following update will install the latest release available. It is recommended to look at the release notes for the latest release prior to installing an update. 

 

*****WARNING: You MUST read this section before continuing. *****  

Be sure you are updating the correct instance of Point of Rental. Step 1 informs you of the different instances for the POR software that may be installed. Step 2 informs you of the  FOLDER STRUCTURE for each instance that may be installed. The examples given from  Step 3 and on are for the PRODUCTION instance labeled ‘POR’. 

 

If you are updating from one major version to another, see the NEXT MAJOR sections of this document. You will know the POR system is updating to a new major version when the first portion of the POR version is changing. For example: 

  • Updating from 2024.18 to 2025.02 – This is a major version update
  • Updating from 2025.02 to 2025.03 – This is NOT a major version update 

 

NEXT SPRINT: APP/FILE/IIS Server

  1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Confirm the prerequisites are completed for the instance of the Point of Rental that is being updated.  
    1. POR – This is the PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. 
    2. POR99 – This is the TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. If applicable. 
    3. POR98 – This is another TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of  Rental. If applicable.  
        
  2.  *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Confirm you are in the correct FOLDER for the instance you are looking to update.
    1. [DriveLetter]:\POR – This is the PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental.
    2. [DriveLetter]:\POR99 – This is the TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of  Point of Rental. If applicable.
    3. [DriveLetter]:\POR98 – This is another TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. If applicable.  

  3. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Delete the \Update\Cache folder for the environment being updated, this folder will be recreated momentarily.
    1. For Production – Delete \POR\Update\Cache 

        
    2. For POR99 - \POR99\Update\Cache is the folder for the POR99 instance.
    3. For POR98 - \POR98\Update\Cache is the folder for the POR98 instance. 

  4. Rename the Manual.Mode file in the POR\Update folder to Manual.Mode.MIG. 


  5. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Stop the SQS Service for the environment being updated.
    1. For Production: ‘POR SQS’ Windows Service
    2. For POR99: ‘POR99 SQS’ is the service for the POR99 instance. 
    3. For POR98: ‘POR98 SQS’ is the service for the POR98 instance.

  6. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Stop the Internet Information Services
    1. This can be done by opening an elevated command prompt and typing
      1. IISRESET /STOP  

  7. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open a command prompt as an admin and type the following 
    commands.
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment 
      being updated, and type one of the following:
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2. Second Command line: C:\<environment>\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe 
      NXSPRINT,INSTALL-ALL
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines:
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXSPRINT,INSTALL-ALL
    4. Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXSPRINT,INSTALL-ALL
         
  8.  APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: This will launch Porfilesynch.exe under a GUI non-interactive 
    mode, recommended to look at the Windows Task Manager to monitor when the program 
    is finished 

    No user input should be required; if a prompt window appears, it will automatically continue on its own.

  9.  APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open a command prompt an admin and run these commands again. 
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment being updated and type one of the following:
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2. Second Command line: C:\<environment>\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe 
      NXSPRINT,INSTALL-ALL
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXSPRINT,INSTALL-ALL
    4. Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXSPRINT,INSTALL-ALL
          
  10. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Wait for PORFilesync.exe to finish this will launch versionedits.exe 
    1. Version edits updates the database to the revision that is being applied. If there 
      are any issues with these version edits, please contact Point of Rental Support at 
      1-800-944-7368 or at support@pointofrental.com

  11. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Restart the Internet Information Services that was stopped in a 
    previous step. 
    1. This can be done by opening an elevated command prompt and typing 
      1. IISRESET /START
         
  12.  APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open the Elite Launchpad and log in using a set of operator credentials to verify that the application was successfully updated 

  13. Move onto the TS/RDS/VDI Servers

 

NEXT SPRINT: TS/RDS/VDI Session Host Server

  1. TS/RDS/VDI Server: Open an command prompt and type the following commands.
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment being updated, and type one of the following:
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2. Second Command line: C:\<environment>\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXSPRINT,INSTALL-DESKTOP
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXSPRINT,INSTALL-DESKTOP
    4. Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines:
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXSPRINT,INSTALL-DESKTOP

  2.  TS/RDS/VDI Server: Wait for PORFilesynch.exe to finish before moving on to the next TS/RDS/VDI Server
    1. If you receive one of the error messages below, then the POR software didn’t 
      update and is having issues connecting to the database.

    2. Confirm you can access the shared drive of the App server that has the POR folder. If not, you need to run the commands from Step 1 in an elevated command prompt. If you can, then run the commands from Step 1 in a nonelevated command line.

  3. Go to the next TS/RDS/VDI Server and repeat steps 1-2 until there are no more servers left to update.

  4. Rename the Manual.Mode.MIG file in the POR\Update folder back to ‘Manual.Mode’.

 

Hotfix Installation Procedure

The following information covers how to apply hotfixes to the current version of the Point of Rental Software. Hotfixes WILL NOT upgrade the instance number of the POR software but will only apply the latest update for the CURRENT version of the Point of Rental Software. Applying hotfixes uses a DIFFERENT set of commands so you need to read each step carefully.

It is recommended to look at the release notes for the latest release prior to installing an update. 

 

*****WARNING: You MUST read this section before continuing. *****

Be sure you are updating the correct instance of Point of Rental. Step 1 informs you of the different instances for the POR software that may be installed. Step 2 informs you of the FOLDER STRUCTURE for each instance that may be installed. The examples given from Step 3 and on are for the PRODUCTION instance labeled ‘POR’.

 

HOTFIX: APP/FILE/IIS Server

  1. . *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Confirm the prerequisites are completed for the instance of Point of Rental that is being updated. 
    1. POR – This is the PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. 
    2. POR99 – This is the TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. 
      If applicable. 
    3. POR98 – This is another TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of 
      Rental. If applicable. 

  2. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Confirm you are in the correct FOLDER for the instance you 
    are looking to update. 
    1. [DriveLetter]:\POR – This is the PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. 
    2. [DriveLetter]:\POR99 – This is the TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental.
      If applicable. 
    3. [DriveLetter]:\POR98 – This is another TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance 
      of Point of Rental. If applicable. 

  3. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Delete the \Update\Cache folder of the environment being updated, this folder will be recreated momentarily. 
    1. Production – Delete \POR\Update\Cache


    2. For POR99 - \POR99\Update\Cache is the folder for the POR99 instance. 
    3. For POR98 - \POR98\Update\Cache is the folder for the POR98 instance. 

  4. Rename the Manual.Mode file in the POR\Update folder to Manual.Mode.MIG. 


  5. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Stop the SQS Service for the environment being updated. 
    1. For Production: ‘POR SQS’ Windows Service 
    2. For POR99: ‘POR99 SQS’ is the service for the POR99 instance. 
    3. For POR98: ‘POR98 SQS’ is the service for the POR98 instance.
       
  6. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Stop the Internet Information Services 
    1. This can be done by opening an elevated command prompt and typing 
      1. IISRESET /STOP 
         
  7.  APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open a command prompt an admin and run these commands: 
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment being updated and type one of the following:
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2. Second Command line: C:\<environment>\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe CURRENT,INSTALL-ALL
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe CURRENT,INSTALL-ALL
    4. Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe CURRENT,INSTALL-ALL

  8.  APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: This will launch Porfilesynch.exe under a GUI non-interactive 
    mode, recommended to look at the Windows Task Manager to monitor when the program 
    is finished. 

    No user input should be required; if a prompt window appears, it will automatically continue on its own.

  9. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open a command prompt an admin and run these commands again 
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment being updated and type one of the following:
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2.  Second Command line: C:\<environment>\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe CURRENT,INSTALL-ALL
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines:
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe CURRENT,INSTALL-ALL
    4.  Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines:
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe CURRENT,INSTALL-ALL
          
  10. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Wait for PORFilesync.exe to finish this will launch versionedits.exe 
    1. Version edits updates the database to the revision that is being applied. If there are 
      any issues with these version edits please contact Point of Rental Support at 1-
      800-944-7368 or at support@pointofrental.com
        
  11. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Restart the Internet Information Services that was stopped in a previous step 
    1. This can be done by opening an elevated command prompt and typing 
      1. IISRESET /START

  12. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Restart the SQS Service being updated 
    1. For Production: ‘POR SQS’ 
    2. For POR99: ‘POR99 SQS’ is the service for the POR99 instance. 
    3. For POR98: ‘POR98 SQS’ is the service for the POR98 instance
        
  13. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open the Elite Launchpad and log in using a set of operator credentials to verify that the application was successfully updated 
     
  14. Move onto the TS/RDS/VDI Servers

 

HOTFIX: TS/RDS/VDI Session Host Server

  1. TS/RDS/VDI Server: Open a command prompt an admin and run these commands
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment being updated and type one of the following: 
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2.  Second Command line: C:\<environment>\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe 
      CURRENT,INSTALL-DESKTOP
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines:
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe CURRENT,INSTALL-DESKTOP
    4. Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe CURRENT,INSTALL-DESKTOP
          
  2. TS/RDS/VDI Server: Wait for PORFilesynch.exe to finish before moving on to the next TS/RDS/VDI Server
    1. If you receive one of the error messages below, then the POR software didn’t 
      update and is having issues connecting to the database


    2. Confirm you can access the shared drive of the App server that has the POR folder. If not, you need to run the commands from Step 1 in an elevated command prompt. If you can, then run the commands from Step 1 in a nonelevated command line.
       
  3. Go to the next TS/RDS/VDI Server and repeat steps 1-2 until there are no more servers left to update.

  4. Rename the Manual.Mode.MIG file in the POR\Update folder back to ‘Manual.Mode’.

 

Next Major Installation Procedure

The following information covers how to apply the next major available update (releases within weeks of every January) to the version of the Point of Rental Software. Applying the next major updates uses a DIFFERENT command set, so you must read each step carefully. 


It is recommended to look at the release notes for the latest release prior to installing an update. 


*****WARNING: You MUST read this section before continuing. *****

Be sure you are updating the correct instance of Point of Rental. Step 1 informs you of the different instances for the POR software that may be installed. Step 2 informs you of the FOLDER STRUCTURE for each instance that may be installed. The examples given from Step 3 and on are for the PRODUCTION instance labeled ‘POR’.

 

NEXT MAJOR: APP/FILE/IIS Server

  1.  *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Confirm the prerequisites are completed for the instance of Point of Rental that is being updated.
    1. POR – This is the PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. 
    2. POR99 – This is the TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. If applicable. 
    3. POR98 – This is another TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of 
      Rental. If applicable. 
       
  2.  *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Confirm you are in the correct FOLDER for the instance you want to update.
    1. [DriveLetter]:\POR – This is the PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. 
    2. [DriveLetter]:\POR99 – This is the TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. If applicable.
    3. [DriveLetter]:\POR98 – This is another TEST/PSUEDO PRODUCTION instance of Point of Rental. If applicable.
       
  3. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Delete the \Update\Cache folder for the environment being updated, this folder will be recreated momentarily.
    1. For Production – Delete \POR\Update\Cache


  4. Rename the Manual.Mode file in the POR\Update folder to Manual.Mode.MIG.


  5.  APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Stop the SQS Service for the environment being updated. 
    1. For Production: ‘POR SQS’ Windows Service 
      b. For POR99: ‘POR99 SQS’ is the service for the POR99 instance. 
      c. For POR98: ‘POR98 SQS’ is the service for the POR98 instance.
  6.  APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Stop the Internet Information Services
    1. This can be done by opening an elevated command prompt and typing
      1. IISRESET /STOP 

  7. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open a command prompt as an admin and type the following commands.
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment being updated and type one of the following:
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2. Second Command line: C:\\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-ALL 
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines:
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-ALL 
    4.  Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines:
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-ALL 

  8. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: This will launch Porfilesynch.exe under a GUI non-interactive mode, recommended to look at the Windows Task Manager to monitor when the program is finished

    No user input should be required; if a prompt window appears, it will automatically continue on its own.
      
  9. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open a command prompt an admin and run these commands again.
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment being updated and type one of the following: 
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2. Second Command line: C:\\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-ALL
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-ALL
    4. Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-ALL 

  10. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Wait for PORFilesync.exe to finish this will launch versionedits.exe 
    1. Version edits updates the database to the revision that is being applied. If there are any issues with these version edits, please contact Point of Rental Support at 1-800-944-7368 or at support@pointofrental.com 
  11. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Restart the Internet Information Services that was stopped in a previous step.
    1. This can be done by opening an elevated command prompt and typing
    2. IISRESET /START

  12. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Restart the SQS Service being updated
    1. For Production: ‘POR SQS’
    2. For POR99: ‘POR99 SQS’ is the service for the POR99 instance.
    3. For POR98: ‘POR98 SQS’ is the service for the POR98 instance.
       
  13. APP/FILE/IIS SERVER: Open the Elite Launchpad and log in using a set of operator credentials to verify that the application was successfully updated  

Move onto the TS/RDS/VDI Servers

 

NEXT MAJOR: TS/RDS/VDI Session Host Server

  1. TS/RDS/VDI Server: Open a command prompt as an admin and type the following commands.
    1. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** Change the current directory to the environment being updated and type one of the following:
      1. For Production: CD C:\POR\Users
      2. For POR98: CD C:\POR98\Users
      3. For POR99: CD C:\POR99\Users
    2. Second Command line: C:\\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-DESKTOP
    3. Example: If updating Production, you would type the following command lines:
      1. CD C:\POR\USERS
      2. C:\POR\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-DESKTOP
    4. Example: If updating POR99, you would type the following command lines: 
      1. CD C:\POR99\USERS
      2. C:\POR99\PROGRAM\PORFilesynch.exe NXMAJOR,INSTALL-DESKTOP 
         
  2. TS/RDS/VDI Server: Wait for PORFilesynch.exe to finish before moving on to the next TS/RDS/VDI Server 
    1. If you receive one of the error messages below, then the POR software didn’t update and is having issues connecting to the database.

       
    2.  Confirm you can access the shared drive of the App server with the POR folder. If not, you need to run the commands from Step 1 in an elevated command prompt. If you can, then run the commands from Step 1 in a nonelevated command line.

  3.  Go to the next TS/RDS/VDI Server and repeat step 1-2 until there are no more servers left to update.
     
  4.  Rename the Manual.Mode.MIG file in the POR\Update folder back to ‘Manual.Mode’. 

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