Restarts and updates

01Automatic restart

In the Schedule screen, tick the restart days, the time ("At") and the time zone, then "Save". At that time, the server waits until no player is connected, then restarts: it never cuts a game short, and does not turn on a server you switched off. The screen shows the next run and the result of the last one.

The wait has no limit: a server that never empties never restarts by itself. Pick a time when the city usually empties, early morning for example. Saving does not trigger a run already past for the day: the countdown starts when you save.

02Who can change it

Every member sees the schedule. Changing it takes the "Manage databases" right, the administrator's, or being the owner: it starts automatic backups that replace the oldest ones, and decides how updates are applied. An operator keeps the manual restart, from the server page (inviting your team).

03Nova updates

Nova updates itself: there is nothing to download or install. When a new version lands on your server's channel, the server page shows the "Nova update" card, with its release notes (additions, improvements, fixes, removals, security fixes).

It applies by itself as soon as no player is connected, if the "Apply updates when the server is empty" option of the Schedule screen is on, which it is by default. When it is off, the update waits for your next restart. "Restart now" applies it right away, disconnecting the players present.

Only a full server restart applies an update: restarting a resource from the console is not enough. An update keeps your in-game settings and your resources/[client] files.

04The What's new screen

The What's new screen says what changed in Nova for this server: the running version, the version available on its channel, what will come "At the next empty restart", and what is "Already running". Each note carries its type: Added, Improved, Fixed, Removed or Security. Every team member can read it.

05Stable or beta

A server follows an update channel. Stable receives the published versions, which ran in beta first. Beta receives new versions early: you get them first, and a defect that slipped past testing can reach you before the others. The beta channel is included in the NOVA INFINITY plan (pricing).

The channel is changed from the Configuration screen, "Update channel" card, by the owner only. Switching restarts the server at once and disconnects players; a stopped server is not started and takes the new channel at its next start. Going back to stable can bring back a version older than the beta that was running.

If the diagnosis shows "The server is not on the right version", the server reports a different channel from the one assigned to it: a restart puts it back on the right one (understanding the diagnosis).

06A routine that works

Set the automatic backup a little before the restart time, on the same days (backups): you will always have a recent point to go back to. Tell your players the restart time, on your Discord for example, and leave update application on: the city stays up to date without anyone being cut off.