Milestone XProtect is a popular video management software used for surveillance systems in businesses and organizations. As with any software application, there may be issues or bugs that require a fix to address them. In this blog post, we will explore hotfixes aka cumulative patches for Milestone XProtect, including what they are, how often they are released, and best practices for installation and testing. We will also discuss the potential risks and downsides of installing a hotfix and how to mitigate them.

What is a hotfix, and how does it differ from a regular software update or patch?

A hotfix is a software update that is released to address specific issues or bugs in a software application. hotfixes are typically released more quickly than regular software updates or patches, as they are designed to address urgent or critical issues that may be impacting users.

If you notice that your system is behaving strangely, checking the recent hotfixes page is often a good place to start troubleshooting. XProtect VMS cumulative patches (complete list)

How often are hotfixes released for Milestone XProtect, and what types of issues do they typically address?

Hotfixes for Milestone XProtect are typically released as needed to address specific issues or bugs that are impacting users. The frequency of these releases may vary depending on the severity and urgency of the issues being addressed.

Here is a sample of the changelog from one patch to give you an idea of what type of issues hotfixes address:

Changelog Highlights

These cumulative updates address a number of issues affecting the performance and stability of the XProtect VMS system, including the following:

Issue:  Memory build-up on the Recording Server.

Symptoms: Memory usage builds up over time.

Issue:  Pipeline2Exception handling.

Symptoms: The Recording Server is crashing, often during start-up.

Issue:  The Recording Server is not able to get and validate tokens from the Management Server.

Symptoms: Clients and other servers are not allowed to connect to the Recording Server. Comm-logs show rapid reconnections between the Recording Server and the Management Server.

Issue:  MediaDb sometimes reports “Proxy contains no server information of table” in WebServer.log file.

Symptoms: Export Fails and clients reconnect.

Issue:  Increased load on the MediaDb after Move Hardware.

Symptoms: Management Server memory build-up after Moving Hardware from source to target Recording Server (looks like a memory leak). Extreme load on the SQL server.

Issue:  Management Server crash after Moving Hardware.

Symptoms: Media overflow/load on the Recording Server.

Issue:  Rule with “Notifications with images from ‘No Device’” puts load on the Management/SQL server.

Symptoms: Load on the Management/SQL Server. Server.log shows “No Device instance found with the id 99999999-9999-9999-9999-999999999999”.

Issue:  Performance Counter null-check missing.

Symptoms: The Recording Server sometimes crashes when stopping a feed.

How can I install a hotfix for Milestone XProtect, and what are the best practices for doing so?

To install a hotfix for Milestone XProtect, users should first download the hotfix from the Milestone Systems knowledgebase and follow the instructions provided. 

Milestone recommends installing the cumulative patches for all XProtect components — Recording Server and Management Server.

Make sure to apply the Recording Server patch also to the Failover Recording Server (if you are using a Failover Server).

The correct installation order is: Patch the Recording Server machines first, THEN patch the Management Server.

Other best practices when installing hotfixes include:

• Back up your system before installation, 
• verifying that the hotfix is compatible with the specific version of Milestone XProtect you are using
• Test the system thoroughly after installation

What are the potential risks or downsides of installing a hotfix, and how can I mitigate those risks?

The potential risks of installing a hotfix include introducing new issues or bugs, compatibility issues with other software or hardware, and impacting system performance or stability. Users can mitigate these risks by verifying that the patch is compatible with the specific version of Milestone XProtect being used, and backing up the system before installation.

We recommend that you contact your Milestone Partner before you install hotfixes or updates. It is important to verify that your environment is compatible with the hotfixes or updates being installed. A hotfix or update may cause interoperability issues with customizations and third-party products that work with your XProtect solution.

How can I determine if a specific issue or bug is addressed in a hotfix, and how can I verify that the hotfix has resolved the issue?

You can typically determine if a specific issue or bug is addressed in a hotfix by reviewing the release notes or documentation provided with the hotfix. 

To verify that the hotfix has resolved the issue, you should thoroughly test your system after installation and monitor the system for any recurrence of the issue.

Hotfixes for Milestone XProtect are an essential aspect of maintaining a surveillance system that is stable, secure, and functioning as intended. The patch list documentation should be your first stop for troubleshooting an issue when your system starts acting up. 

By following our best practices for installation and testing, you can minimize the risk of introducing new issues or problems when installing a hotfix. It is important to thoroughly test the hotfix in a test environment and monitor the system after installation to ensure that it is functioning correctly. By staying informed about hotfixes and addressing issues as they arise, users can keep their Milestone XProtect system up-to-date and functioning optimally.

It is important to check, download and install hotfixes from time to maintain a stable, secure, and well-functioning VMS.  It is also a great first place to check when you observe your system behaving strangely.  If you have any questions about hotfixes or Milestone XProtect, it is always a good idea to consult with an expert. 

At Continental Computers, we have years of experience installing and managing Milestone XProtect. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts; we are always happy to help.