Virtuozzo 4 Upgrade Options

[siliconsys]

I recently purchased a Dual Xeon server with Virtuozzo and 10 x Plesk 30 license. I have used VZ4 before so when I start trying to setup the server with the commands I am familiar with I learn they do not exist. Further checking reveals VZ3 has been installed. Off to Parallels/SWSoft to find docs and help. VZ3 support docs are no where to be found. Back to TP support to find out the dirt before I commit to moving on to this server.

Me:
Thanks for that but at this time its a little less important as to why and way more important that we can just get started moving on to this server. We cannot do that until it is upgraded to VZ4. We are just wasting days and $$. I've already offered to do the upgrade myself if someone will just confirm the license upgrade path. VZ3 licenses are not compatible with VZ4 so even if I do the upgrade I'm stuck until someone gets the license upgraded.

TP:
Unfortunately, we are not yet supporting VZ4, and we do not currently have a proper license agreement for this software. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you require VZ4, you will likely need to contact Parallels for licensing.

Me:
So you're telling me that you sold me old software that the maker no longer is supporting?

Where do I go for basic support including documentation for this software?

TP:
Unfortunately, our licensing structure will not allow for a functional copy of VZ4. The software will install, but you will not have access to any management tools. As such, we can only support and provide VZ3 at this time.

As far as documentation is concerned, you can find the official product guides on your server located at /root/Rel300sp1/docs.

If you require basic support for your hardware node, you can always contact our support department.

Me:
Please provide license key so that I may contact Parallels directly.

TP:
Your 3.0 license key id is VZ.xxxxxxx. If you require a 4.0 license, you will probably want to purchase one from Parallels.

Me:
No I'll probably just cancel this server. It makes no sense to get a non-supported OS which could be EOL'd any time.

Who will be providing security updates?

Is there a plan to support VZ4 in the works? If so when?

TP:
Security updates would be provided through the vzup2date service. I was able to get updates recently, but I am not aware of Parallel's timeline to EOL updates for the product.

Unfortunately, I have no definitive information as to when we might be supporting VZ4.

I try contacting Parallels support but since I have a third party license they won't talk to me. Now we are stuck between two companies both pointing the finger elsewhere. Come on guys. Give us enough information to make an informed business decision here.

Can someone from TP get an official statement from Parallels regarding EOL and ongoing upgrade and security update processes?

We purchased this server in hopes of being on it for quite some time. We have been customers since the RackShack days and currently have four servers under contract. If we can't get an authoritative answer on EOL of VZ3 and/or when we will be able to upgrade to VZ4 we would be insane to keep it. As an online business this is our main storefront to the world. Would you expect a bricks and mortar business to take a lease on a building without knowing the status of the plumbing or electrical systems. Or to accept a lease with outdated mechanical systems without a plan for when the systems would be up to current state of the art?

Bottom line, if we can't contact Parallels for support because we rent a license from you, the burden of support and information is solely yours.

[siliconsys]

If I can't get support or even a response from either TP or Parallels then what am I paying the extra $80 a month for? I might as well go with OpenVZ and save the $1000 a year.

I've asked several times in my tickets for links to TP's marketing literature on Virtuozzo to explain what exactly comes with TP's halfway license for VZ since we have been told numerous times that this or that isn't supported by TP's specific licensing plan. I have yet to get a response.

[Jeff]

Just pure speculation, but maybe when Parallels bought virtuozzo they were no longer interested in offering the datacenter licensing deals the company they bought had negotiated with the previous version.