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Version: On-Premise 2.1

Installation Guide

Resolve Actions Express is a Windows application installed on Microsoft Windows Server and requiring a Microsoft SQL Server deployment. This document explains how to install Actions Express release 2.1.x.

Pre-Installation Steps​

Carefully review and implement the requirements and steps in this section before you run the Actions Express installer.

Administrator Access​

The installation of Actions Express requires Windows local administrator privileges.

It is recommended to create a dedicated user account and give it administrator privileges, then use this account to install and run Actions Express.

Required Network Ports​

Before installing Actions Express, ensure that your firewall meets the following requirements:

  • Port 1433 is open between the machine where you are installing Actions Express and the DB server.

Required .NET Framework Versions and Features​

note

You might need to temporarily disable your antivirus application if it blocks the installation wizard.

Ensure that the required .NET Framework versions and features are installed on the Windows Server machine before starting the installation.

note

If Server Manager shows the error "The request to list feature available on the specified server failed", ensure that the Windows Module Installer service is running.

  1. Go to Control Panel and then click Programs > Turn Windows features on or off.
  2. In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Next.
  3. Select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
  4. From the list of servers, select the current machine and click Next.
  5. On the Server Roles page, click Next without making any changes.
  6. On the Features page, ensure that the following features and sub-features are checked:
    • .NET Framework 3.5 Features
      • .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)
    • .NET Framework 4.7 (or 4.6, or 4.5) Features
      • .NET Framework 4.7 (or 4.6, or 4.5)
      • ASP.NET 4.7 (or 4.6, or 4.5)
      • WCF Services
        • HTTP Activation
        • TCP Port Sharing
  7. Click Install.

Required Server Roles​

Actions Express requires certain Windows roles to install and run. Ensure they are enabled before launching the installer.

  1. Go to Control Panel and then click Programs > Turn Windows features on or off.
  2. In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Next.
  3. Select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
  4. From the list of servers, select the current machine and click Next.
  5. On the Server Roles page, ensure that the following features and sub-features are checked, and then click Next:
    • Web Server (IIS)
      • Web Server
        • Common HTTP Features
          • Default Document
          • Directory Browsing
          • HTTP Errors
          • Static Content
          • HTTP Redirection
            note

            Do not enable WebDav Publishing.

        • Application Development
          • .NET Extensibility 3.5
          • .NET Extensibility 4.7 (or 4.6, or 4.5)
          • ASP
          • ASP.NET 3.5
          • ASP.NET 4.7 (or 4.6, or 4.5)
          • ISAPI Extensions
          • ISAPI Filters
        • Management Tools
          • IIS Management Console
          • IIS Management Scripts and Tools
          • IIS 6 Management Compatibility
            • IIS 6 Metabase Compatibility
            • IIS 6 WMI Compatibility
  6. On the Features page, click Install.

Dynamic Compression in IIS​

note

This step is optional but recommended.

Enabling dynamic compression in IIS can bring performance benefits to your Actions Express deployment.

To enable it, go to Service Manager > Add roles and features. On the Server Roles screen, expand Web Server (IIS), then Performance, and select Dynamic Content Compression.

See also: How To Enable IIS Dynamic Compression for Actions Express UI

DB Deployment​

It is highly recommended installing Microsoft SQL Server either on the same machine as Actions Express or on a separate machine within the same network. The Actions Express installer can also install Microsoft SQL Server Express on the same machine, but this option is only recommended for trial and evaluation purposes.

You don't have to create any databases after the Microsoft SQL Server installation. The Actions Express will create all required databases for you.

Running the Installer​

Take the following steps on each Actions Express instance that you run.

  1. Run the Actions Express setup file as Administrator.
    note

    If you plan to use Windows Authentication to connect to the Actions Express databases, ensure that the account has the appropriate database access.

  2. On the welcome page, click Next.
  3. On the License Agreement screen, select I accept the terms in the license agreement and then click Next.
  4. On the Destination Folder screen, select the installation path and then click Next.
  5. On the Choose Installation Type screen, select the installation type and then click Next:
    • Single Tenant—Select when your organization will be the only one using Actions Express.
    • Multi Tenant—Select when you are an Actions Express reseller who will be creating Actions Express tenants for multiple customers.
      • When prompted, enter the Multi-Tenant Installation Key provided by your Resolve representative.
  6. On the Choose Installation Type screen, select Create new Actions Express environment/Upgrade after uninstalling and then click Next.
  7. On the Custom Setup screen, select the components that you want to install and then click Next.
    note

    Integration packs that are not selected for installation by default require additional licensing. Ensure that your license includes them before installing them.

  8. On the Create Resolve Database screen, select what DB server you want to use:
    • I don't have a database server, install...—This option will install Microsoft SQL Server Express on the same machine. Is it only recommended for trial and evaluation purposes.
      • In DB Name, enter a name for the DB to be created. We recommend keeping the default Resolve name.
    • I already have a Microsoft SQL Server...—Select this option for production installations and then specify the connection details for the Microsoft SQL Server that you prepared:
      • In Database server that you are installing to, enter the SQL server's hostname.
        Example: MYSQLSERVER.
      • In DB Name, enter a name for the DB to be created. We recommend keeping the default Resolve name.
      • In Connect using, select the authentication method that you are using with your SQL Server and fill in the details.
  9. After the installer verifies the database settings, click Next one more time.
  10. On the Prerequisite Check screen, review the list of prerequisites and ensure that all of them are showing Success.
    If a prerequisite is unresolved, keep the window open, resolve the prerequisite outside the installer, and finally click Retry. The Warning status does not prevent you to complete the installation on your own responsibility.
  11. Click Install.
  12. On the Actions Express Wizard Completed screen, click the options that you want and then click Finish.

After a successful installation, the Actions Express services will start. To ensure they are running, open the Services Windows application and check the following services:

  • Actions Express Manager

Post-Installation Steps​

After the Actions Express installer completes, take the steps in this section to ensure that your Windows environment is configured as required.

Service DB Logon Setup​

If you have selected the Windows Authentication method for DB authentication, ensure that the Actions Express Manager Windows service's log on account can log in to the DB.

  • If you will be using the current account to access the DB, ensure that it has DB_Owner privileges to and on the Resolve and ResolveMaster databases.
  • If you will be using another account to access the DB, set up the service's logon account to be an account that has DB_Owner privileges to and on the Resolve and ResolveMaster databases.

Take these steps to set the service's logon account:

  1. Open the Services Windows application.
  2. Open the properties of the Actions Express Manager service.
  3. Go to the Log On tab.
  4. Click This Account and enter the account's credentials.
  5. Restart the service.

IIS Application Pool Logon Setup​

If you have selected the Windows Authentication method for DB authentication, ensure that the Actions Express application pools in IIS are set up to log on to the DB with the required privileges.

  • If you will be using the current account to access the DB, ensure that it has DB_Owner privileges to and on the Resolve and ResolveMaster databases.
  • If you will be using another account to access the DB, set up the pool's logon account to be an account that has DB_Owner privileges to and on the Resolve and ResolveMaster databases.

Take the steps below for the following application pools:

  • Actions Express-DAL-AP—For single- and multitenant installations.
  • Actions Express-DAL-AP-Master—Only for multitenant installations.
  1. Open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager Windows application.
  2. In the tree on the left, expand the current machine and then expand Application Pools.
  3. In the middle pane, right-click the application pool and select Advanced Settings.
  4. Under Process Model > Identity, set the account that you want to use.

First Login and Licensing​

After you install Actions Express and complete the post-installation tasks, you are ready to log in to the web UI for the first time. The tasks that you are expected to complete vary depending on whether you are making a single- or a multi-tenant installation:

Tasks for Single-Tenant Installations​

During your first login in a single-tenant installation, you are expected to complete these tasks:

  • Create a super administrator account—The superadmin account stands above all other Actions Express accounts, including administrators. It cannot be an Active Directory-managed account. You can only create one superadmin account. The superadmin account has the initial privilege to create other accounts. After that, every admin account has this privilege.
  • License Actions Express—The license will be provided to you by your Resolve representative.

Creating a Superadmin Account​

Take these steps to create the superadmin account:

  1. On the installation machine, open a web browser tab and navigate to https://localhost:8442/login.
  2. Fill in the form that appears (all fields are requided):
    • User Name—Enter a username for the superadmin account, like superadmin. You will use this name to log in to Actions Express later to license the product.
    • Password—Enter a password for the superadmin account.
    • Confirm Password—Repeat the password for verification.
    • First Name—The first name of the person who is responsible for the superadmin account.
    • Last Name—The last name of the person who is responsible for the superadmin account.
    • Email—Email address of the person who is responsible for the superadmin account.
    • Phone Number—Phone number of the person who is responsible for the superadmin account.
    • Company—The name of your company or organization.
      This name will be required on the Actions Express login screen together with the username and the password.
  3. Click Next.
  4. On the login screen that appears, enter the details of the superadmin account to log ing. The Company field is required. The Actions Express UI appears, showing the Configuration > License Details screen.

Licensing Actions Express​

After you log in to the Actions Express UI, you see the restricted feature set of an unlicensed copy. The only screen you have access to is the Configuration > License Details screen.

Licensing Actions Express unlocks its full features.

Take these steps to license Actions Express:

  1. On the screen, copy the value of Product Key and send it over to your Resolve representative.
    Your Resolve representative will provide you with an .xml license file.
  2. Copy the .xml file to the Actions Express machine.
  3. In Actions Express, click the Apply New License icon in the Product Details table's header row.
  4. In the file selection dialog box that opens, browse to .xml file, select it, and then click Open.

Your copy of Actions Express is now licensed. Open the main menu to access the product's full list of features.

Tasks for Multi-Tenant Installations​

During your first login in a single-tenant installation, you are expected to complete these tasks:

  • Create a super administrator account—The superadmin account stands above all other Actions Express accounts, including administrators. It cannot be an Active Directory-managed account. You can only create one superadmin account. Aside from the ability to license Actions Express, you use it to manage tenants.
  • License Actions Express—The license will be provided to you by your Resolve representative.
  • Create tenants.

Creating a Superadmin Account​

Take these steps to create the superadmin account:

  1. On the installation machine, open a web browser tab and navigate to https://localhost:8443/login.
  2. Fill in the form that appears (all fields are requided):
    • User Name—Enter a username for the superadmin account, like superadmin. You will use this name to log in to Actions Express later to license the product.
    • Password—Enter a password for the superadmin account.
    • Confirm Password—Repeat the password for verification.
    • First Name—The first name of the person who is responsible for the superadmin account.
    • Last Name—The last name of the person who is responsible for the superadmin account.
    • Email—Email address of the person who is responsible for the superadmin account.
    • Phone Number—Phone number of the person who is responsible for the superadmin account.
    • Company—The name of your company or organization.
      This name will be required on the Actions Express login screen together with the username and the password.
  3. Click Next.
  4. On the login screen that appears, enter the details of the superadmin account to log ing. The Actions Express UI appears, showing the Configuration > License Details screen.

Licensing Actions Express​

After you log in to the Actions Express UI, you see the restricted feature set of an unlicensed copy. The only screen you have access to is the Configuration > License Details screen.

Licensing Actions Express unlocks its full features.

Take these steps to license Actions Express:

  1. On the screen, copy the value of Product Key and send it over to your Resolve representative.
    Your Resolve representative will provide you with an .xml license file. Don't forget to mention that you need a multi-tenant license.
  2. Copy the .xml file to the Actions Express machine.
  3. In Actions Express, click the Apply New License icon in the Product Details table's header row.
  4. In the file selection dialog box that opens, browse to .xml file, select it, and then click Open.

Your copy of Actions Express is now licensed. Open the main menu to access the product's full list of features. As a superadmin, you only have access to features like Tenant Management and Configuration.

Adding Components​

If you are already running Actions Express and you want to add a component, such as an integration module, take the following steps:

  1. Run the Actions Express installer and click Next.
  2. On the Program Maintenance screen, click Modify and click Next.
  3. On the Custom Setup screen, ensure that the component that you want is marked for installation on the local hard drive.
  4. Click Next.
  5. On the next screen, click Install and wait for the installation to complete.
  6. Click Finish to close the installation wizard.
note

Some integration modules require copying third-party libraries as an additional installation step. See the module's documentation for details.

Installing Standalone Components​

Take these steps to install one or more Actions Express components on a machine separate from the main Actions Express application.

  1. Run the Actions Express installer and click Next.
  2. Accept the license agreement and click Next.
  3. Select an installation location and click Next.
  4. Select the installation type (Single Tenant or Multi Tenant) and click Next.
    If you select Multi Tenant, you are prompted for an additional multitenant installation key.
  5. On the Choose Installation type screen, select Install standalone components and click Next.
  6. On the Custom Setup screen, ensure that components that you are installing are marked for installation on the local hard drive and then click Next.
  7. On the next screen, click Install and wait for the installation to complete.
  8. Click Finish to close the installation wizard.