New Coffalyser.Net Version: Update Recommended
We are happy to announce that we have released an updated version of Coffalyser.Net™, our free SALSA® MLPA® data analysis software. This new version was released to update preconfigured installations of Microsoft SQL Server to a modern version to avoid future security and compatibility issues. There are no changes to data analysis and results display.
We recommend that all our customers update Coffalyser.Net to the new version. If you use a preconfigured SQL Server, you should update no later than 09 July 2024 (see Frequently Asked Questions below for details). All users will need to update before 31 May 2025, when licenses of the previous version of Coffalyser.Net expire.
Main new features of Coffalyser.Net v.240129.1959
- Updated preconfigured Microsoft SQL Server from 2014 SP3 to 2022 to avoid future security and compatibility issues.
- Added warnings for outdated database versions and SQL Server versions.
For a full list of changes, consult the release notes.
As the data analysis and results display have not changed, we expect that you will be able to make the transition to the new version without difficulties. Existing data will not be affected by the update.
We hope that you will enjoy working with the new version. Please let us know if you have questions or run into issues. We are always happy to hear from you.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this update important?
Coffalyser.Net uses Microsoft SQL Server to store data. If you do not have your own SQL Server available, Coffalyser.Net installs a preconfigured SQL Server for you. This was SQL Server 2014 SP3. Microsoft will stop releasing updates for this version of SQL Server on 09 July 2024. After this, installations of this version may become insecure and unstable. In addition, SQL Server 2014 SP3 is officially not supported by Microsoft on modern operating systems such as Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022. This new version of Coffalyser.Net will update preconfigured SQL Servers to version 2022, which Microsoft will support until 2033.
How do I know whether I use a preconfigured SQL Server?
If you are unsure whether you use a preconfigured SQL Server, chances are that you use one. Read more about finding out. If you are unsure, we recommend updating Coffalyser.Net – you will eventually need to anyway.
How do I know which version of SQL Server I use?
If you are unsure, we recommend updating to the new version of Coffalyser.Net. During configuration, a warning will be displayed if Microsoft’s support for your version of SQL Server has ended or will end soon. You can also ask your IT department for help or look here for some basic methods to determine your server version.
What happens if I continue to use an unsupported (preconfigured) SQL Server?
Using an unsupported version of Microsoft SQL Server, whether this is a preconfigured SQL Server or not, means that Microsoft will no longer release updates. As a result, the installation may break at any time, may start to cause compatibility problems with other software, and may accumulate critical security flaws.
Can I delay this update if I use my own SQL Server?
You can wait until the license of the current version expires on 31 May 2025, but we recommend updating earlier. The new version of Coffalyser.Net also has other minor improvements to warnings and error reporting as explained in the release notes. In addition, the new Coffalyser.Net will provide a warning if your (custom) SQL Server is no longer supported by Microsoft.
Can I use this opportunity to change my setup or migrate to a new server?
Certainly – updates are a good moment to reevaluate if your current setup meets your needs. You can find information about the different ways that Coffalyser.Net can be configured for collaboration within a network in this article, or read about migrating Coffalyser.Net.
Are there any special considerations for 32-bit systems?
SQL Server 2022 is not compatible with 32-bit operating systems. Nearly all modern systems are 64-bit, so in most cases there will be no problem with updating. With the end of support for SQL Server 2014 SP3, Microsoft will no longer provide a supported version of SQL Server for 32-bit operating systems. Should you still use a 32-bit operating system, we recommend updating to a 64-bit operating system – at least for the computer that runs SQL Server.
Why did my license expiry date remain unchanged after updating?
Licenses for both the new and the previous versions of Coffalyser.Net are valid until 31 May 2025. However, only licenses for the new version will be extended past this date.