Supported platforms and system requirements

In short

The backup app runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Synology NAS devices. Magnus Box is on version 26.7.2. That version needs macOS 12 Monterey or later, and on Intel and AMD machines it needs a CPU with SSSE3 support. Linux installs use a .deb or .rpm package, or a generic package for other distributions. Use this page to check a device before you install, and use the end-of-support table when a client has older machines.

How it works

Windows

• SSSE3 has been required since version 24.12.0. In practice that means an Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Bulldozer or newer CPU. Very old machines without it can't run the current app.
• RAM: the app doesn't use 8 GB by itself. Memory use depends on the job, and large backups need more.
• Network: avoid high-latency or unstable links. They slow down both backups and restores.
• Installer: the .exe installer works on both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86-64) Windows.

macOS

• macOS 12 Monterey or later is required as of version 26.7. The installer from the Web Portal won't install on an older macOS version.
• macOS 11 Big Sur and earlier aren't supported. You can't install the current backup app on these Macs, and the Web Portal only offers the current version's installer.
• Macs that already run an older version of the backup app on macOS 11 or earlier aren't supported either. They won't be updated to 26.7, because the new version can't run on them, and they won't get any more fixes from us. Upgrade the Mac to macOS 12 or later, or replace it.
• Full Disk Access: on macOS 10.14 and later, the app needs Full Disk Access to back up protected folders. You can grant it by hand or push it with a PPPC profile from your MDM. See Full Disk Access (macOS Installation).
• Opening the installer: if macOS won't open the .pkg file, right-click it and choose Open.

Linux

Pick the package that matches the distribution:

• The .deb and .rpm packages install a systemd service named backup-tool into /opt/MagnusBox/, so the service starts on boot.
• The .deb package asks for the login details during install. The .rpm package installs silently. You then log in with sudo /opt/MagnusBox/backup-tool login prompt.
• The .run package doesn't start on boot by itself. Set up a systemd unit or init script to run the launch script in /opt/ at boot.
• ARM: ARMv8l (64-bit), ARMv7l (32-bit, hard-float glibc) and ARMv6kl (32-bit) are supported. The installer picks the right binary for the hardware.
• Other requirements: bash, xz, GNU awk, ca-certificates and an up-to-date tzdata. Each machine also needs unique SSH host keys, so watch for this on cloned VMs.
• Graphical app (optional): needs x86_64, Qt 5.7 or later and glibc 2.24 or later. Most distributions from 2017 onward meet this. Headless servers can be managed entirely from the Web Portal.

Synology NAS

• There are two packages: one for DSM 6 and one for DSM 7. They aren't interchangeable, so download the one that matches the NAS.
• Supported CPUs: x86_64, i686, ARMv7 and ARMv8.
• There's no graphical app on Synology. You create Protected Items and run backups and restores from the Web Portal.
• On DSM 7, the app runs as a package user called backuptool. Give that user access to each shared folder you want to back up.
• DSM 7 limits: the app can't be upgraded or uninstalled remotely, so you install new versions by hand. Restored files may not keep their original permissions and ownership.
• Version 26.7.2 fixed a crash on Synology units with Marvell Armada XP CPUs. Update those units if they were affected.

See Synology Installation for the install steps.

Web Portal

The Web Portal works in all recent desktop and mobile browsers. Internet Explorer isn't supported.

Feature-specific requirements

Some backup types have their own requirements on top of the ones above:

• VMware vSphere (agentless): the backup app must run on 64-bit Windows, and vSphere must be 6.7 or later.
• Microsoft Hyper-V: the "Latest VM state" modes need Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10 or later. The "All VM snapshots" mode needs Windows Server.
• Proxmox VE: Proxmox VE 8.x and 9 are supported.

For help choosing between agentless VM backups and the app inside the guest, see VM backup methods: agentless vs. inside the guest.

End-of-support table

What this means for you

• Check CPUs before you quote. A PC without SSSE3 or a Mac older than macOS 12 can't run the current app. Plan an OS or hardware upgrade before you onboard that machine.
• Windows XP or Server 2003 machines shouldn't be on the internet at all. If a client still has one, back it up over the network from another machine that runs the app, or virtualize it and back up the VM from the host. Then push the client to upgrade.
• Windows 7, 8 and Server 2008 R2/2012 still work, but they're on borrowed time. Future versions may drop them, so flag them in your client reviews now.
• Cloned Linux VMs need unique SSH host keys. Otherwise they can show up as the same device. See Several machines show up as one device.
• Size RAM for the job. Big file servers and large VMs need more memory than a laptop. See Out of memory if jobs fail on low-RAM machines.

Questions about a specific device? Email support@magnusbox.com.

Related tasks

• Windows Installation
• macOS Installation
• Linux Installation
• Synology Installation
• Remote Installation Guide
• VM backup methods: agentless vs. inside the guest
• Manage devices from the Devices page