Why do we receive a handshake error (0xffffffff) when checking for updates in the Management Console.

Article ID: 337
Category: Management Console
Applies to: All
Updated: 2018-11-19

The full error is: "Server disconnected before handshake completion. [0xffffffff]. There was an error downloading the latest version information from the https://www.eventsentry.com web site. Please make sure that you have access to the https://www.eventsentry.com/ site."

f you are using EventSentry 3.2 and older, you will not be able to check for updates successfully because the EventSentry console is not fully TLS 1.2 compatible until EventSentry 3.3 series and newer.

Otherwise, if you are using EventSentry 3.3 series and newer, this error usually indicates that your EventSentry server is not correctly configured to support the TLS 1.2 protocol, which is the only protocol supported for secure connections on the eventsentry.com and netikus.net websites. Please see knowledge base article 336 for recommendations regarding TLS configuration for your EventSentry server. I

Important Compatibility Notice
If your EventSentry server is using Windows Server 2008 (NOT R2), Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, these versions of Windows do not support TLS 1.1 or TLS 1.2 at all and it is not possible to configure these versions of Windows to successfully connect using TLS 1.1 or TLS 1.2 when checking for updates. You must use Windows Server 2008R2 or newer, or Windows 7 or newer, to establish a successful TLS 1.1 or TLS 1.2 connection. Please refer to the following Microsoft article in regards to TLS capabilities in Windows operating systems: https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/kaushal/2011/10/02/support-for-ssltls-protocols-on-windows

My operating system does not support the required TLS version. How do I get my EventSentry updates without replacing my operating system?
You can manually check for updates by viewing this page: https://www.eventsentry.com/downloads/version-history
Manually log onto the Licensing Center (https://store.netikus.net/account) from a newer computer and click Downloads on the left and then download the desired installer file on the right. Transfer these file(s) to your EventSentry server and then execute them to install the update.

How do I make the handshake error message stop appearing when I open the console?
The error will only appear when the console opens if you have automatic update checking enabled. To turn it off, use the toolbar to click Tools > Options, select the "Welcome & MyEventLog" tab, and un-check all of the options in the Auto Update section at the bottom. It is also advisable to turn off the News feature, please un-check the "Fetch news from www.eventsentry.com" box in the Welcome Screen section at the top. Click OK and then save your new settings, and now the handshake error will not appear unless you manually click Help > Check For Updates.