Docker Confluence 8.6.0 Says Server Licence is invalid

[europoint]

I recently updated my Docker Confluence instance to the latest version (8.6.0), but it fails to start successfully, complaining that the image is for Data Center, and isn't valid for Server.

As far as I am concerned, my licence is for all updates until February 2024, so why is this update not accepting my licence?

[europoint · Accepted solution]

I've finally found in the Release notes for 8.6.0 is only for Data Center.

Firstly, this should be clearly communicated out to Server users, not relying on us to find out it isn't compatible by delving through the website.

Secondly, my licences is for support until February 2024. I therefore expect updates and security support until that date.

This is absolutely poor communication and support from Atlassian.

[Stephan A_]

I fully agree.

What Atlassian is doing here is contrary to the contract and event this is openly documented under the following link:

https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/confluence-8-6-release-notes-1289421595.html

For example, our small team deals with highly sensitive research and development. For our needs, despite continuous research, no sufficiently powerful alternative to Atlassian Confluence, Jira, Crowd, etc. has been found so far.

For legal and contractual reasons alone, we are not allowed not move the content of our Atlassian instances to their cloud.

The data center licenses are oversized, no alternative and not only priceless for us. We know numerous teams that are similarly affected.

We have relied on Atlassian accepting the server licenses by the EOL date and providing updates / upgrades accordingly. Finally, we have paid for it and Atlassian is also obliged by a corresponding, contractual regulation.

Conclusion:

A mess brimming with arrogance.

[Bastian Stehmann]

In general, I agree that it is unexpected that Atlassian already now starts to publish versions which are only DC compatible. 

But you can stay on 8.5.x, I'm sure this will be maintained until February, so you will get the updates and support you paid for.

You just can't upgrade to 8.6 or later.

And you always should read release and upgrade notes before you upgrade and in my opinion that's something Atlassian can and is expecting from everyone being responsible for an upgrade.

[Stephan A_]

I never claimed that I blindly updated to Confluence 8.6.0 and never read the release notes.

My statement is mainly concerned with the fact that Atlassian ignores a lot of end users with its forced conversion or sends them to Nirvana with a shrug, who cannot or are not allowed to switch to cloud or data center licenses.

This concerns a significant mass of Atlassian instances and not just a few individual cases.

[Bastian Stehmann]

True, but Atlassian has announced this about 3 years ago and has been widely discussed, so I don't think it makes sense to start discussing this again.

And @europoint obviously didn't read the release notes before upgrading, that's what I was referring to.

[europoint]

Perhaps before making inflammatory comments, people should obtain all the facts? As a 'Community Leader' I would hope that you are able to uphold the standards of politeness expected and not attack customers who are rightly irritated by poor communication.

Secondly, I am well aware of the announcement three years ago, because it was emailed to us.

Thirdly, if Atlassian were capable of emailing us to tell that support would end in February 2024, then I would expect them to be able email us to let us know that our 'support' and licence doesn't include all updates to the applications up to February 2024.

They haven't informed us of that, which is poor communication and support.

As Stephan said, some businesses cannot store information in the cloud because the data is sensitive and contractually we are not permitted to store it there. I run a small business - Data Centre is cost prohibitive and cloud is not an option.

[Bastian Stehmann]

@europoint sorry if you feel attacked, didn't wanted to be rude.

I know this is a really emotional topic and I'm absolutely aware of the problems the end of server causes and I'm not happy with it myself, but that's a decision by Atlassian we all have to live with.

And I'm also absolutely aware that there are business where cloud is a no-go and that data center is by the number of licensed users and the costs absolutely over the top.

But you shouldn't blame Atlassian for something they communicated in the right place you might have overread or didn't read at all, don't know.

Yes, they could have mailed that also, I agree, but in my opinion, you can't expect everything to be delivered to your inbox.

There are places where information is communicated and this is a place, everyone who runs an application should be aware of and take a look at before doing such a change like an upgrade.