Software Version 2.13 Release Schedule - a new version of the QVF will be released Monday. The software includes some significant changes that will assist in the administration of consolidated elections. We will be sending out an email on Monday to indicate when it's an appropriate time to upgrade. If you are a QVF site in the Upper Peninsula, please do not upgrade your software until you have received a CD with instructions on how to do so.

There have been numerous database enhancements happening behind the scene that will make this particular software upgrade critical to future versions of the software as well as the security of your voter data. This upgrade will also be one of the most demanding and time consuming upgrades that we have ever attempted. We expect long replication times, extending from 4 to 12+ hours. We are anticipating that the top fifty sites, in order by size, will require a high-speed connection for this upgrade. We will be monitoring replication from Lansing to identify sites that are unsuccessful in replicating; arrangements to have these sites replicated off-site are underway. This could extend the period in which sites will be without access to the QVF of up to a week. This will take both time and patience and will require a great deal of cooperation.  Sites connected to the Internet through a high-speed connection will experience much shorter upgrade times. If your site has considered using a high-speed Internet connection in the past, this upgrade provides a substantial argument for the changeover. Please see the guidelines contained in the final section of this document covering the use of a high-speed connection.

This upgrade requires that all sites replicate before the end-of-business TODAY. Failure to do so will result in data loss and will further delay the upgrade process for other sites. If you will be out of the office, please ensure that a co-worker will be available to replicate the server in your absence.

Monday December 19, 2005 - AM:

• You will receive an email and/or fax requesting that you manually upgrade your software using the QVF Server Manager. 
• Open the QVF Server Manager
• A message will appear, reminding you that no other programs should be open.  Click OK.  All boxes will check automatically.
• Click on UPDATE SERVER NOW.  The new software will download first and then a replication will take place. 
• Remember:  This could take 10-12 hours, depending on the size of your jurisdiction or county.  County machines will likely take a particularly long time.  
• When the notice SERVER UPDATED SUCCESSFULLY appears, click on OK. 
• You may now use the QVF program.  (See the QVF Desktop Reference Manual, page 13-1 for more details.)
• DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES IN THE QVF UNTIL AFTER THE UPGRADE PROCESS COMPLETES SUCCESSFULLY.

• Counties that have remote access users should disable the PC Anywhere for the weekend. 
• To do this, right click on the PC Anywhere icon on the toolbar and click on DISABLE.
• Remote access users should not use the QVF from 12/17 through 12/20.  If you do, you will run the risk of losing your work.

• Do not join the QVF server to a domain.
• Sites utilizing a firewall must have the following ports open:
• TCP port 5631, UDP port 5632 - pcAnywhere [optional]
• TCP ports 1521 and 1526 - Oracle
• TCP port 21 [FTP] - QVF software updates
• Host sites participating in the Remote Access Program will still require a phone line allowing remote sites access to the QVF Server.
• We recommend that experienced computer technicians only perform this change and that they follow the guidelines above. IF YOU OR YOUR TECHNICIANS HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL AND ASK BEFOREHAND. Once a site has converted over to a networked/high-speed Internet connection, it will be that site's responsibly to troubleshoot any connectivity related issues. **Any costs associated with obtaining a high-speed connection are the site's responsibility.